House OKs on 3rd reading a bill giving all PRC IDs five-year validity

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A bill that seeks to give all Professional Identification Cards (PICs) issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) a five-year validity has been approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading.

During the session on Wednesday, House Bill No. 9764 was approved after 234 lawmakers voted in the affirmative, while none voted against it or abstained.

If enacted into law, the Information and Communication Technology Service (ICTS) and other offices within the PRC will be tasked to “complete the necessary systems enhancement (Licensure Examination Registration Information System or the LERIS) and other administrative processes” six months after the bill has been enacted.

Over the years, there are efforts to make PRC ID renewals easier: in 2012, PRC started allowing Filipino professionals to renew or obtain their identification cards at different malls.

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However, there have been drawbacks for professionals, as they complained about the Republic Act 10912 or the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act which requires nurses and other professionals to earn 45 CPD units before they can renew their PRC licenses.