The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has officially announced the opening of applications for the Special Professional Licensure Examinations (SPLEs) targeted at Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who aspire to become licensed professionals in their respective fields. This significant development provides a crucial pathway for Filipino expatriates to validate their professional qualifications while working abroad.
Application Period and Examination Schedule
The PRC commenced accepting applications starting today, February 16, 2026, for the examinations scheduled to take place in the latter part of May. The application window will remain open until March 16, 2026, giving potential examinees a one-month period to complete their submissions. The examinations themselves are set to be administered from May 28 to 30, 2026, across multiple international locations.
International Testing Locations
The SPLEs will be conducted in numerous countries with significant OFW populations. In the Middle East, examinations will be held in Bahrain; Al-Khobar, Jeddah, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia; Israel; Kuwait; Qatar; and Abu-Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. In Asia, testing centers will be established in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan.
The PRC has clarified that licensure examinations in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan will be held simultaneously with the time and schedule in the Middle East countries, ensuring coordinated administration across different time zones. This synchronization facilitates efficient examination management and maintains consistency in testing procedures.
Comprehensive Range of Professional Examinations
The Special Professional Licensure Examinations encompass an extensive array of professional fields, reflecting the diverse occupational backgrounds of OFWs. The PRC will administer examinations for numerous professions, including but not limited to:
- Aeronautical engineers, agriculturists, and architects
- Certified public accountants (CPAs) and chemical engineers
- Civil engineers, criminologists, and customs brokers
- Electronics engineers, electronics technicians, and environmental planners
- Geodetic engineers, interior designers, and master plumbers
- Mechanical engineers, medical technologists, and midwives
Additionally, the commission will offer examinations for healthcare professionals such as nurses, nutritionists-dietitians, pharmacists, physical therapists, and respiratory therapists. Other professions include professional food technologists, professional teachers, psychologists, psychometricians, radiologic technologists, real estate appraisers and brokers, registered electrical engineers and master electricians, sanitary engineers, social workers, veterinarians, X-ray technologists, professional electronics engineers, and professional mechanical engineers.
Application Requirements and Procedures
Prospective applicants must submit scanned copies of all required documents through a designated Google Form as specified by the PRC. Furthermore, examinees are required to present physical copies of these documents to the PRC delegation team upon arrival at their respective testing centers. This dual submission process ensures proper verification and maintains the integrity of the examination system.
The Special Professional Licensure Examinations represent a vital opportunity for Overseas Filipino Workers to obtain professional recognition that can enhance their career prospects both abroad and upon potential return to the Philippines. By facilitating these examinations in multiple international locations, the PRC demonstrates its commitment to supporting the professional development of Filipino expatriates worldwide.
