Everything You Need To Know About The Nursing Board Exam
Tbh, being a nurse is a challenging profession—but it’s undeniably a noble one.
Growing up in a country where healthcare remains a pressing issue, it’s no surprise that the ever-increasing demand for nurses shapes the education choices of today’s youth. Did you grow up wanting to be a nurse, too? (Remember those drawings about your childhood dreams…)
Whether you consider nursing as your dream profession or it’s a tough call you’re still determined to pursue anyway, we encourage you to read this comprehensive guide on the Nursing Board Exam. Just in case you decide to embrace the RN life! (We promise you’ll need it somewhere along the way.)
What is the Nursing Board Exam?
The Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam is a standardized test conducted by the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) to regulate the professional practice of nursing in the country as provided in the Republic Act No. 7164 a.k.a. the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002. Simply put, this is the ultimate nurse’s handbook in the country.
If you’re an aspiring nurse, passing the exam is a must before you pursue this profession!
What is the coverage of the Nursing Board Exam?
Being a registered nurse requires extensive skills and knowledge in healthcare. Based on the PRC Board of Nursing, here are the general subject areas that will be included in the licensure exam:
| Subject | Exam Percentage |
| Foundations of Nursing Practice Including Professional Adjustment | 20% |
| Maternal and Child Health Nursing | 20% |
| Community Health Nursing and Communicable Disease Nursing | 20% |
| Nursing Care of Adolescents, Adults, and Aged | 20% |
| Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing | 20% |
Don’t you go into full panic mode and get lost in a gazillion topics to review just yet! Keep calm and check out this cheat sheet on the specific topics included in each subject area. (You can thank us later!)
What is the passing rate for the Nursing Board Exam?
To be a registered nurse, your exam rating should be at least 75% with a 60% minimum grade for each subtest. However, should you make the overall mark but score less than the required grade in any subject, you’ll need to retake only that given subtest and get a 75% to pass. So give it your best shot on your first try!
Ever wonder how our aspiring nurses are faring in the exams? Here’s the trend of the Nursing Board Exam passing rates over the last three years:
| Exam Date | No. of Passers | Total No. of Examinees | Passing Rate |
| November 2018 | 4,811 | 12,033 | 39.99% |
| June 2018 | 4,326 | 9,873 | 43.82% |
| November 2017 | 5,875 | 12,869 | 45.65% |
| June 2017 | 3,882 | 11,176 | 34.73% |
| November 2016 | 6,836 | 14,322 | 47.73% |
| June 2016 | 6,183 | 14,184 | 43.59% |
What are the eligibility requirements of the Nursing Board Exam?
Before you can take the Nursing Board Exam, here are PRC-mandated eligibility requirements you must meet to proceed with your application:
- Filipino citizen*;
- Is of good moral character;
- A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a government-recognized institution;
- Has complied with other requirements prescribed by the PRC.
*May include foreign citizens whose country/state adheres to the Philippine practice of nursing
What are the application requirements of the Nursing Board Exam?
Get started with your application documents early! According to the PRC website, here are the following requirements you need to prepare for the exam:
- NSO/PSA Birth Certificate
- NSO/PSA Marriage Contract (for married female applicants)
- Transcript of Records with scanned picture and Remarks “For Board Examination Purposes”
- Examination fee payment (Php 900 for complete, Php 450 for conditioned/removal)
- Summary of Related Learning Experience*
*Includes operating room experiences
When is the Nursing Board Exam schedule?
Are you looking forward to the upcoming exams? Based on the 2019 licensure exams schedule released by the PRC, there are two exam schedules you can choose from for the Nursing Board Exams this year. Get your calendar ready and block off these dates:
| Dates | Days | Place | Opening of Online Processing | Deadline in Filing of Applications | Target Release Date of Exam Results |
| June 2 & 3 | Sunday & Monday | Manila
All Regional Offices Zamboanga |
February 1, 2019 | May 3, 2019 | June 21, 2019 |
| November 16 & 17 | Saturday & Sunday | Manila
All Regional Offices Zamboanga |
July 17, 2019 | October 17, 2019 | December 5, 2019 |
While the exam usually falls in June and November every year, the schedules may still vary depending on the PRC. Stay updated on the latest news! Just visit the PRC official website and Facebook page.
How to apply for the Nursing Board Exam?
Once you get all the eligibility and application requirements out of the way, the process should be so much easier! Thanks to online technology, you can start processing your exam application online. Just log-in to the PRC’s Licensure Examination and Registration Information System (LERIS) and follow the instructions.
Here’s a quick overview of your exam application process:
- Prepare all your requirements.
- Register and set up your LERIS account.
- Select the Nursing Licensure Examination tab.
- Schedule an appointment with PRC.
- Choose your preferred payment method and pay for the exam fee.
- Print your application form.
- Proceed to the PRC on your appointment date and submit your requirements.
Take note too that you’ll still need to access your LERIS account for other PRC-related processes even after your board exam so don’t forget your log-in credentials. Okay?
Where can I check the Nursing Board Exam results?
Ready for the big day? (We’re talking about results day!) Fast forward to more or less two weeks after your exam day, you can already check the PRC official website for the complete list of board passers and top performing schools. If you’d like to see how well you did in the exam, you can also check your results directly through the online verification portal! Just log-in with your personal information and exam details. Talk about convenience!
If you’re eyeing to take the upcoming boards in June, you can expect the result by June 21, 2019 (Friday). That’s just 18 days of waiting! (Read: p a n i c)
The road to becoming a full-fledged nurse is NOT an overnight journey. It’ll include countless all-nighters and round-the-clock duties to get that RN before your name. But will it be worth it? Definitely. Start your journey by getting that nursing degree and license. Your future patients are waiting for you!
Ready to take ace the Nursing board exam? Let us help you get started in your profession even before it happens. Read more tips and advice in the College Life blog section at Edukasyon.ph now!
Enjoying the blog? Register on Edukasyon today!
Related Stuff
Take care of your mental health
Let us help you achieve your dream job by matching you with the right schools.