October 2020, select November 2020 board exams postponed, rescheduled in 2021

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced Sunday, August 9, the postponement of October 2020 scheduled board exams and select November 2020 licensure exams amid the prevailing threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In a Facebook post, PRC cited the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in our country that resulted to fear and anxiety to the health and safety of everyone.

The conduct of the following scheduled licensure examinations is hereby POSTPONED:

October 2020

• Chemical Engineers Licensure Examination (October 2, 3, & 4, 2020)
• Naval Architects and Marine Engineers Licensure Examination (October 6, 7, & 8, 2020)
• Metallurgical Engineers Licensure Examination (October 6, 7, & 8, 2020)
• Certified Public Accountants Licensure Examination (October 10, 11, & 17, 2020)
• Licensure Examination for Optometrists (written) (October 13, 14, & 15, 2020)
• Licensure Examination for Optometrists (practical) (October 18, 19, 20, & 21, 2020)
• Special Certification Examination in Ocular Pharmacology (October 13, 2020)
• Chemists Licensure Examination (October 20 & 21, 2020)
• Chemical Technicians Licensure Examination (October 22, 2020)
• Electronic Engineers Licensure Examination (October 24 & 25, 2020)
• Electronic Technicians Licensure Examination (October 26, 2020)
• Geodetic Engineers Licensure Examination (October 28 & 29, 2020)
• Fisheries Technologists Licensure Examination (October 28 & 29, 2020)

November 2020

• Customs Brokers Licensure Examination (November 4 & 5, 2020)
• Agriculturists Licensure Examination (November 10, 11, & 12, 2020)

PRC said these licensure examinations will be rescheduled in 2021.

"The examinees are advised to check the PRC official website and social media accounts for important updates," PRC said.

UPDATE: 2021 PRC board exam schedule

Takers of the following examinations scheduled in November 2020 will have to wait for further assessment and possible postponement of exams:

• Midwives (November 7 & 8)
• Civil Engineers (November 14 & 15)
• Aeronautical Engineers (November 17, 18 &19)
• Geologists (November 17, 18 & 19)
• Nurses (November 21 & 22)
• Criminologists (November 28, 29 & 30)

Recently, PRC discussed the issues and gave recommendations for the conduct of remaining tests this year.

PRC Chairman Teofilo Pilando Jr. emphasized the following issues:

• availability of the examination venues
• exam personnel
• ever changing dynamic changes in the situation as defined by IATF

“The Commission and the Boards made some recommendations, one of which would be prioritization of the small scale examinations for the remaining part of the year, meaning those that would involve 1,000 more or less examinees,” Pilando said.

READ: PRC bares 2020 board exam plans amid COVID-19 pandemic