OFWs in Middle East Can Take Board Exams in Host Country

If you or someone you know is currently working in the Middle East region as a professional but without a license that can boost their career overseas, there is good news. The Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that they will go to different cities in the Gulf States where there are many Filipino workers to conduct special licensure examinations.

This news will surely benefit many Filipinos in the Middle East that are employed as accountants, architects and engineers. Many of them wants to take the board exams but the distance and time constraint makes it impossible. From the application procedure to finding the time to attend a review class, it is so difficult if they can only take care of this when they go on a vacation to the Philippines.

The PRC special examinations will be held in the city of Al Khobar and Jeddah on the following dates: November 26, 27 and 28, 2009. The next schedule will happen on in Doha, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on December 2, 3 and 4, 2009. This initiative is a fulfillment of an order that was issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) during her most recent state visit in the Middle East territory.

Those who want to take advantage of this opportunity should submit the following documentary requirements:

General documentary requirements (for first time applicants and repeaters for architects, CPAs, civil, electrical, electronic and mechanical engineers):

1. Original & Photocopy of Transcript of Records (TOR) with scanned picture and remarks “For Board Examination only"
2. Original & Photocopy of Certificate of Live Birth issued by the National Statistic Office (NSO) in security paper.
3. Four (4) pieces of passport-size pictures with complete nametag
4. Photocopy of Philippine passport

Additional documentary requirements for architects:
1. College diploma (for first time applicants)
2. NBI Clearance
3. PTR IAPOA Number of Mentor
4. Two years of diversified experience after graduation
5. Logbook of Diversified Experience (can be secured from U.A.P)
6. Affidavit of Experience signed by a registered architect with updated PRC professional ID

Additional documentary requirements for CPA
1. NBI clearance
2. Certificate of refresher course (for those who failed twice)
3. Must be Bachelor of Science in Accountancy graduate (for first time applicants)
4. BSC/BSBA graduates who are repeaters can apply for the examination. BSC/BSBA graduates who are first timers will not be allowed to apply

General Documentary requirements for Certified Plant Mechanic (for first time applicants)

1. Vocational or Trade School Transcript of Records.
2. Certification of Employment or Service Record of at least one year of work experience.
3. Certificate of Experience of one year or more in PRC Form No. 104 and to be signed by a registered Mechanical Engineer or professional mechanical engineer and duly notarized / under oath.
4. Certification of Detailed Description of Equipment in PRC Form No. 105.20. 1-A and to be signed by the company general manager or personnel manager and the immediate supervisor.
5. Affidavit of Competency which should be under oath.

General Documentary requirements for Registered Master Electrician (for first time applicants)

1) Transcript of Record of BSEE with scanned picture and remarks for “Board Exam Purpose"
2) Certification of Employment or Service Record of at least one year of work experience.
3) Certificate of Experience of one year or more in PRC Form No. 104 and to be signed by a registered Electrical Engineer or professional electrical engineer and duly notarized / under oath.
4) Transcript of Records of the Electrical Engineering Technology course.
5) Certification of Employment or Service Record of at least three years of work experience.
6) Certificate of Experience of three years or more in PRC Form No. 104 and to be signed by a registered Electrical Engineer or professional electrical engineer and duly notarized / under oath.
7) High School diplomas or transcript of records.
8) Certification of Employment or Service Record of at least five years of work experience.
9) Certificate of Experience of five years or more in PRC Form No. 104 and to be signed by a registered Electrical Engineer or professional electrical engineer and duly notarized / under oath.

Qualified applicants are advised to contact their respective professional organizations (UAP/MBAP/IOFA- Architects, PICPA, PICE, IIEE, IECEP, PSME) in Al-Khobar, Jeddah, Riyadh, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Applications must be submitted to the professional organizations on or before September 30, 2009 for transmittal to PRC- Manila on or before October 9, 2009.

Applicants whose documents are in the Philippines may present them to the Application & Qualification Evaluation Division for evaluation on or before September 15, 2009. Application forms can be downloaded at www.prc.gov.ph

The Philippine Embassy in Jeddah will also accept applications but the venue is yet to be announced.