Overview
The Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination (NLE, also called the PNLE) is the licensing exam for nurses in the Philippines. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) holds it through the Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing under Republic Act No. 9173, the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002. Every applicant for a licence to practise nursing must pass a written examination.
Who can apply
Under RA 9173, an applicant must be a Filipino citizen, or a citizen of a country that lets Filipino nurses practise there on the same basis (with substantially similar registration requirements). The applicant must be of good moral character and hold a bachelor's degree in nursing from a college or university that meets the standards of nursing education recognised by the proper government agency.
Exam pattern
The PRC programme for the May 2024 exam, held over two days, describes the exam as five parts.
| Part | Name in the May 2024 programme |
|---|---|
| Nursing Practice I | Community Health Nursing |
| Nursing Practice II | Care of Healthy or At Risk Mother and Child |
| Nursing Practice III | Care of Clients with Physiologic and Psychosocial Alterations (Part A) |
| Nursing Practice IV | Care of Clients with Physiologic and Psychosocial Alterations (Part B) |
| Nursing Practice V | Care of Clients with Physiologic and Psychosocial Alterations (Part C) |
The Board adopted enhanced tables of specifications in 2025 that apply from the November 2025 exam onwards. They replace the Board's earlier resolutions on the exam subjects (Resolution Nos. 18 of 2006 and 11 of 2017). The number of items per part is not stated in the sources used here, so check the current PRC programme and tables of specifications.
Marking and results
RA 9173 sets the pass mark at a general average of at least 75% with no rating below 60% in any subject. An examinee who reaches 75% on average but is below 60% in some subject retakes only that subject or those subjects, and must then score at least 75% in them.
Important dates
PRC announces the exam dates for each sitting. Check its current examination schedule for the dates and application window.
How to apply
Applicants pay the examination fee set by the PRC. Follow the PRC announcement for each sitting for the application steps and documents.
After the exam
Successful candidates take an oath of profession before the Board or an authorised official, and receive a certificate of registration and licence as a nurse once they pay the prescribed fees.
Preparation tips
Because no subject may fall below 60%, spread your review across all five parts rather than relying on strong subjects to cover a weak one.
FAQs
How many parts does the NLE have?
Five: Nursing Practice I to V.
What score do I need to pass the NLE?
A general average of at least 75%, with no subject below 60%, under RA 9173.