The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has approved a preference rating system that allows qualified overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who fall short of the 80-percent passing mark in the Career Service Examination (CSE) to receive additional points.

Under CSC Resolution No. 2600596, the commission established the Overseas Filipino Workers–Preference Rating (OFW-PR), which grants additional points to eligible OFWs based on their length of overseas employment and work performance.

CSC Chairperson Marilyn Yap said the policy seeks to provide OFWs with an opportunity to obtain civil service eligibility and qualify for regular appointments in government service.

“The CSC acknowledges the vital contributions of OFWs to the national economy and their potential for reintegration into the Philippine government’s career service. By granting qualified modern heroes additional points in the CSE, we open opportunities for regularization and promotion in the career service, thereby contributing to national development in the long run,” Yap said in a statement on Thursday, June 18.

The measure expands the CSC's existing preference rating system, which previously covered certain government workers as well as military and uniformed personnel under separate resolutions.

CSC said it had consulted with the Department of Migrant Workers and its regional offices before issuing the policy to determine the conditions and requirements for extending the benefit to OFWs while maintaining civil service standards.

The resolution covers OFWs who take but fail either the Professional or Subprofessional level of the Career Service Examination through the pen-and-paper test or other examination modes beginning with the Aug. 9, 2026 examination and succeeding tests.

To qualify, applicants must have rendered at least five years of aggregate service as an OFW between Jan. 1, 2000 and the date of application. The service may be continuous or intermittent.

The policy also covers individuals who have signed overseas employment contracts but have not yet left the Philippines.

However, participants in government-recognized visitor programs for cultural and educational purposes are excluded.

Eligible applicants may receive up to 10 preference rating points, which will be added to their examination score to help them reach the required 80-percent passing mark.

The final rating reflected in the Certificate of Eligibility will be capped at 80.

Applicants must also submit proof of satisfactory work performance, including performance evaluations covering the last two available rating periods before filing an application. They may also submit certificates, awards, citations, or other recognitions from employers or host countries documenting work accomplishments.

Applications must be filed with the CSC regional or field office where the applicant originally registered for the examination within six months from the release of examination results.

The eligibility granted will correspond to the level of examination taken. Applicants who failed the Professional examination may be granted OFW-PR (Professional), while those who failed the Subprofessional examination may receive OFW-PR (Subprofessional).

CSC said the preference rating may only be granted once and does not automatically guarantee employment in government, as applicants must still meet the qualification standards for the positions they seek.

The resolution was published on June 18 and will take effect 15 days after publication.