Foreigner med school grads can get license, practice in PH

Foreign nationals who graduate from Philippine medical schools may take the board exam in order to practice medicine in the country, according to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

The PRC has affirmed its certification issued last March 30 that allowed foreign nationals who have acquired medical degrees in the country to practice here if they manage to pass the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE).

“Foreign citizens conferred the degree of Doctor of Medicine by a College of Medicine recognized by the Philippines’ Commission on Higher Education are eligible to take the Physician Licensure Examination,” the PRC said in an advisory dated July 17.

In taking the licensure exam, foreign medicine graduates have to comply with the requirements prescribed by the Philippine Medical Act of 1959, or Republic Act No. 2382, the regulatory agency added.

Numerous queries

“Foreign medical graduates may then apply to take the PLE and be eligible for registration to practice medicine in the Philippines pursuant to [RA] 2382,” the PRC stressed.

The PRC said it issued the advisory after receiving “numerous” queries about its March 30 certification on whether foreign graduates of Philippine medical schools are allowed to be registered to practice medicine in the country.

Under the Philippine Medical Act of 1959, a physician who wants to practice in the country should be at least 21 years old, should have passed the board examination and should be a holder of a valid certificate of registration issued by the Board of Medicine.

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