How to apply for the exam

Qualifications for Examinations. - In order to be admitted to the examination for nurses, an applicant must, at the time of filing his or her application, establish to the satisfaction of the Board of Nursing that:

     a. He or she is a citizen of the Philippines, or a citizen or subject of a country which permits Filipino nurses to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subject or citizen of such country: Provided, That the requirements for the registration or licensing or nurses in said country are substantially the same as those prescribed in this Act;
     b. He or she is at least eighteen (18) years of age: Provided, That any underage applicant who successfully passes the examination shall not be permitted or licensed to practice nursing until he or she shall have reached the age of majority;
     c. He or she is in good health and is of good moral character; and
     d. He or she is a holder of a bachelors- degree in nursing from a college or university duly recognized by the proper government agency.

Educational Qualification / Training / Experience:

     B.S. in Nursing
         - Summary of Related Learning Experience (RLE)
         - Operating Room
         - Major Scrubs - 5
         - Minor Scrubs – 5
         - Delivery Room
         - Handled - 5
         - Assisted - 5
         - Cord Dressing - 5

Licensure Examination. - The licensure examination for the practice of nursing in the Philippines shall be given by the Board not earlier than one (1) month but not later than two (2) months after the closing of the semester prescribed by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. The examination shall be held in the City of Manila or in such places as may be decided by the Board subject to the approval of the Professional Regulation Commission.

Scope of Examination. - The scope of the examination for the practice of nursing in the Philippines shall be determined by the Board. The Board shall take into consideration the objectives of the nursing curriculum, the broad areas of nursing, and other related disciplines and competencies in determining the subjects of examinations.

Rating in the Examination. - In order to pass the examination, an examinee must obtain a general average rating of at least seventy-five percent (75%) with a rating of not below sixty percent (60%) in any subject. An examinee who obtains an average rating of seventy-five percent (75%) or higher but gets a rating below sixty percent (60%) in any given subject must take the examination again, but only in the subject or subjects where he or she rated below sixty percent (60%). In order to pass the succeeding examination, an examinee must obtain a rating of at least seventy-five percent (75%) in the subject or subjects repeated. An examinee who despite the third examination fails to obtain at least seventy-five percent (75%) in the subject or subjects repeated shall no longer be allowed to take the examination, unless he proves to the satisfaction of the Board that he/ she has undergone a refresher course consisting in enrollment and passing in the regular fourth year subjects in a recognized nursing school.

Issuance of Certificates. - A certificate of registration as nurse shall be issued to any applicant who passes the examination upon payment of the prescribed fees. Every certificate of registration shall show the full name of the registrant; the serial number, the signature of the members of the Board, and the official seal of the Board.

Fees for Examination and Registration. - Applicants for licensure examination and for registration shall pay the prescribed fees set by the Professional Regulation Commission.

Registration by Reciprocity. - Certificates of registration may be issued without examination to nurses registered under the laws of any foreign state or country: Provided, That the requirements for the registration or licensing of nurses in said country are substantially the same as those prescribed under this Act: Provided, further, That the laws of such state or country grant the same privileges to registered nurses of the Philippines on the same basis as the subject or citizens of such foreign state or country.

Non-issuance of Certificates in Certain Cases. - No person convicted by final judgment of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude or any person guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct shall be issued a certificate of registration. The Board shall furnish the applicant a written statement setting forth the reasons for its actions which shall be incorporated in the records of the Board.

Revocation and Suspension of Certificates. - The Board shall have the power to revoke or suspend the certificate of registration of a nurse upon any of the following grounds:

     a. For any of the causes mentioned in the preceding section;
     b. For unprofessional and unethical conduct;
     c. For gross incompetence and serious ignorance;
     d. For malpractice or negligence in the practice of nursing; or
     e. For the use of fraud, deceit, or false statements in obtaining a certificate of registration.

Re issuance of Revoked Certificates and Replacement of Lost Certificates. - The Board may, for reasons of equity and justice or when the cause for revocation has disappeared or has been cured and corrected, upon proper application therefor and the payment of the required fees, issue another copy of the certificate of registration.

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