The Physician Licensure Exam (PLE) is a rigorous and highly competitive examination that aspiring doctors in the Philippines must pass in order to practice medicine.
Preparing for the Physician Licensure Exam is no easy feat. It requires years of hard work and dedication, as well as a deep understanding of medical concepts and principles. Many aspiring doctors enroll in review centers or take online courses to help them prepare for the exam. They also spend countless hours studying and reviewing their notes, textbooks, and other reference materials.
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Physician Board Exam Schedule 2023
The PLE is administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) twice a year, usually in March and September.
For the PLE Schedule for the year 2023, the first batch of exams is on March 5,6,12 & 13 with the filing period from December 05, 2023, to February 06, 2023.
The Second Batch of the Physicians Board Exam is on October 20,21,27 & 28, 2023. The filing Period starts on July 20, 2023, until September 21, 2023. Refer to the table below for complete details.
| Batch | Date of Exam | Testing Locations | Start of Application | Deadline of Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Batch | March 5, 6, 12 & 13 | NCR, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga | December 5, 2022 | February 6, 2023 |
| Second Batch | October 20, 21, 27 & 28 | NCR, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga | July 20, 2023 | September 21, 2023 |
Physician Board Exam Requirements
Those who have enrolled as Medical Students in a Medical School recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), can undergo a Preliminary Examination of the Physician Board Examinations. To take this, the applicant must present the following requirements:
- Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) Birth Certificate;
- PSA Marriage Contract (for married female applicants);
- Transcript of Record (TOR) and
- Good Moral Character from the Dean of College of Medicine
For Physician Licensure Examination (Final Complete):
If you have completed your degree in Medicine from a Medical School that is recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), you are qualified to take the Final Examination of the Physician Board Examinations. To be able to take this exam, you need to provide the following documents:
A. Filipino Citizen Who Obtained Medical Degree from Philippine Medical Schools:
- PSA Birth Certificate;
- PSA Marriage Contract (for married female applicants);
- Two (2) Certificates of Good Moral Character from any two (2) of the following:
- a) Medical School where he/she graduated from
- b) Hospital / Institution where he/she completed his/her internship
- c) Indigenous Community/Parish where he/she belongs
- Transcript of Records (TOR);
- Diploma of MD Degree or its equivalent; and
- Certificate of Post Graduate Internship issued by a hospital accredited by the Association of Philippine Medical College (APMC).
B. For Filipino Citizen Who Obtained Medical Degrees from Foreign Medical Schools:
- PSA Birth Certificate;
- PSA Marriage Contract (for married female applicants);
- Two (2) Certificates of Good Moral Character from any of the following:
- a) Medical School where he/she graduated from (current status)
- b) Hospital / Institution where he/she completed his/her internship
- c) Previous employment
- d) Parish Priest
- e) International Police
- f) Barangay
- Diploma of MD Degree or equivalent;
- Original or authenticated copy of the TOR or equivalent document of the course for the licensure examination issued by the institution of higher learning where the applicant graduated;
- Certificate of Equivalency issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) stating that the course taken by the applicant is equivalent to the Doctor of Medicine course offered in Philippine Schools of Medicine; and
- Certificate of Post Graduate Internship issued by a hospital accredited by the Association of Philippine Medical College (APMC) or Certificate of Equivalency issued by CHED.
An examinee who fails for the third (3rd) time shall be required to submit a Certificate of Completion of a refresher course in a recognized medical school or college and current two (2) certificates of Good Moral Character from the Medical School where he/she graduated from and Hospital/Institution where he/she completed his/her internship before he/she shall be allowed to take the examinations.
Physician Licensure Exam Coverage
Here are the subjects that you need to review before taking the Physician Licensure Exam:
Preliminary Examination
- Anatomy and Histology
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology and Parasitology
Final Examination
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Pathology
- Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatrics and Nutrition
- Surgery and Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, and Rhinology
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health
- Legal Medicine, Ethics, and Medical Jurisprudence
Complete Examination
- Anatomy and Histology
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology and Parasitology
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Pathology
- Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatrics and Nutrition
- Surgery and Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, and Rhinology
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health
- Legal Medicine, Ethics, and Medical Jurisprudence
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Physician Licensure Exam is a crucial step in the journey of becoming a licensed doctor in the Philippines. It is a challenging and demanding exam that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. But for those who pass it, the rewards are immeasurable, as they can now pursue their dream of practicing medicine and making a difference in the lives of their patients.