The Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) this month shall continue as scheduled.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, the Professional Regulation Commission and the Board of Medicine said they "recognize the urgent need for physicians during these times of public health emergency" amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Relative to this, the Commission and the Board also released the health and safety protocols for examinees and examination personnel.
PRC said all examinees and examination personnel shall observe the following: physical distancing of two meters; examinees shall be restricted to their assigned seat; wear face mask and face shield at all times; bring alcohol for hand disinfection; wear latex gloves for exam personnel handling the test questionnaires.
The examinee shall also submit the duly accomplished Informed Consent and Health Declaration forms with the Notice of Admission (NOA) and the negative RT-PCR test result/Quarantine Certificate to the proctor on the examination day.
Examinees and examination personnel shall also bring their own meals to be eaten during breaks, while being in their assigned seats.
Examinees are also asked to bring their own pens, pencils and erasers as borrowing from seatmate is not allowed to prevent cross-contamination.
Lastly, talking and loitering are also prohibited in the hallways or in the examination room.
The second PLE will be held on November 10, 11, 15, and 16.
The professional licensure examination for incoming physicians are administered twice a year.