THE Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) yesterday said foreigners who graduated in the country with a degree as Doctor of Medicine can practice as physicians in the Philippines if they manage to pass the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE).
In an advisory, the PRC said there is nothing illegal with foreigners who graduated in Philippine medical schools to take the PLE and practice locally as doctors.
“Foreign citizens conferred the degree of Doctor of Medicine by a College of Medicine recognized by the Philippines’ Commission on Higher Education (CHED) are eligible to take the PLE,” said the PRC.
“Foreign medical graduates may apply to take the PLE and be eligible for registration to practice medicine in the Philippines,” it added.
The PRC said this is in accordance with provisions of Republic Act No. 2382 or the Philippine Medical Act of 1959.
Under RA 2382, no person shall engage in the practice of medicine in the Philippines unless he is at least 21 years of age, has satisfactorily passed the corresponding Board Examination, and is a holder of a valid Certificate of Registration issued by the Board of Medicine.
The PRC said the advisory is being issued after they received several queries on the matter.
“(This is) in view of the numerous queries related to the regulation and licensing of the medical profession in the Philippines and concerning the issue of whether foreign medical graduates of Philippine medical schools are allowed to be registered to practice medicine in the country,” said the PRC.
