PAF POTC 2026: Exam Schedule, Qualifications and Requirements

Last updated: November 2, 2026

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) opens the Probationary Officer Training Course (POTC) to Advance ROTC graduates who want to become commissioned officers. This guide covers the qualifications, requirements, pay and the usual exam schedule, plus what to expect for the next class.

POTC exam schedule

The POTC qualifying exam is given nationwide by the PAF Personnel Management Center together with the Air Force Reserve Command through its eight Air Reserve Centers (ARCens).

For POTC Class 2026, the call for applicants came out in November 2025 and the qualifying exams ran from January 24 to February 13, 2026 at the ARCens in Davao, Cebu, Palawan, Zamboanga, Butuan, Lipa, General Santos, Pasay and Pampanga. Those dates have passed.

The announcement for the next class is usually released in the last quarter of the year, with exams in January and February. Watch the official Philippine Air Force and Air Reserve Center pages for the next schedule before you travel to an exam venue.

Initial qualifications

• Natural-born Filipino citizen
• Holder of a bachelor’s (baccalaureate) degree
• Advance ROTC graduate
• At least 21 but not more than 30 years old upon entry
• Physically and mentally fit for military training

Registered criminologists can also join the PAF as officers. See how a registered criminologist can apply in the Philippine Air Force.

Initial requirements

Submit photocopies of the following to the nearest Air Reserve Center:

• PSA birth certificate
• Transcript of records
• College diploma
• Advance ROTC certificate

Pay and benefits of POTC trainees

• Monthly basic pay of ₱35,436 for officer trainees, based on the latest POTC announcement (confirm the amount in the current class notice)
• Initial clothing and individual equipment
• Opportunity to be commissioned in the PAF regular or reserve force after completing the course

Where to apply

Applications and inquiries are handled by the Air Reserve Centers:

• 1st ARCen: Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City (NCR)
• 2nd ARCen: Clark Air Base, Pampanga (Central and Northern Luzon)
• 3rd ARCen: Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas (Southern Luzon, Mindoro and Bicol)
• 4th ARCen: Antonio Bautista Air Base, Palawan
• 5th ARCen: Benito Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
• 6th ARCen: Edwin Andrews Air Base, Zamboanga City
• 7th ARCen: TOG 11, Davao City
• 8th ARCen: Northern Mindanao and Caraga

Use the contact details posted on the official Philippine Air Force and ARCen pages. Never pay anyone who promises a slot in the course.

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