📢 PNLE FEBRUARY 2026 RESULTS RELEASED: The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), through the Board of Nursing, released the results of the February 2026 Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination (PNLE) on Friday, March 6, 2026 — just five working days after the last day of testing. A total of 3,611 out of 8,162 examinees passed the exam, for an overall passing rate of 44.24%.
The Headline Numbers
- Total examinees: 8,162
- Total passers: 3,611
- Overall passing rate: 44.24%
- Exam dates: February 26–27, 2026
- Results released: March 6, 2026 (Friday)
- Withheld results: 4 (pending final determination of liabilities)
The 44.24% national passing rate reflects the continuing rigor of the PNLE under the Board of Nursing’s updated competency standards. While slightly below the historical 50–60% range of past exams, the result is consistent with recent trends as the Board has tightened the cut-offs on test components covering Care of Mother, Child, Family, and Community Health.
February 2026 PNLE Topnotcher
Leading the February 2026 batch is Alyanna Marie Ramos Villegas of Saint Paul University – Tuguegarao, who posted a stellar score of 92.00% to become the sole top 1 of the batch. Villegas’s achievement also underscores the consistent strength of Saint Paul University Tuguegarao’s nursing program, which has produced topnotchers and high-ranking finishers in multiple past PNLE batches.
Top Performing School: Saint Paul University Tuguegarao
Saint Paul University – Tuguegarao emerged as the top performing school for the February 2026 PNLE with an extraordinary 99.10% passing rate — 220 of its 222 first-time and repeater examinees passed. The school’s consistent performance across the past five PNLE cycles continues to position it among the elite nursing programs in the Philippines.
Other top-performing schools include Far Eastern University–Manila, which posted a near-perfect 99.82% passing rate, alongside long-time top performers like the University of Santo Tomas, Cebu Normal University, and West Visayas State University. The PRC’s “Performance of Schools” ranking, published alongside the results, lists the full breakdown by region and category.
Where the Exam Was Conducted
The February 2026 PNLE was administered simultaneously across 23 testing centers nationwide: the National Capital Region, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Palawan, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, Zamboanga, Ilocos Sur, Dumaguete, Laguna, Lipa, Tagbilaran, and Urdaneta. This is the widest coverage in the history of the PNLE and reflects the PRC’s continued decentralization of licensure testing.
What Happens Next for Passers
If your name is on the official list, here is the immediate roadmap:
- Verify your status on the official PRC website (prc.gov.ph) and download your Certificate of Passing.
- Schedule your registration appointment through the PRC LERIS online portal. The PRC has announced the registration schedule alongside the results — check the official press release for your assigned date.
- Attend the mass oath-taking ceremony at a venue announced by the Board of Nursing (typically held in Manila and major regional centers).
- Pay the registration fee and receive your Professional Identification Card (PIC) and Certificate of Registration (CoR).
- Apply for your PRC ID, which authorizes you to practice as a Registered Nurse in the Philippines and serves as a prerequisite for overseas applications.
Most new nurses begin their careers within 30–60 days of their oath-taking, with hospitals, clinics, and community health offices actively recruiting from the freshly released roll of passers.
For Those Who Did Not Pass
If your name was not on the list, you are not alone — 4,551 examinees did not pass this batch. The next PNLE is scheduled for August 29 and 30, 2026, with applications opening in late June. Use the time to identify your weak subject areas (the “Performance of Examinees” report sent by the PRC tells you exactly which subjects pulled you below 75%), enroll in a focused review program, and take advantage of the extra preparation window. Many of today’s practicing nurses passed on their second attempt.
The Bigger Picture
The February 2026 batch adds 3,611 new Registered Nurses to the Philippine workforce at a time when both domestic hospitals and international recruiters are aggressively hiring. The Department of Health continues to address the nursing shortage in public hospitals, while traditional destinations like the United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Singapore remain active markets for Filipino nurses with the right qualifications and credentials.
Already Looking Ahead to August 2026?
The August 2026 PNLE is scheduled for August 29 and 30, 2026, with the PRC’s target release of results within five working days post-exam — approximately September 5, 2026. Application filing typically opens three months before exam day. If you are preparing for the next batch, our 6-Month NLE 2026 Preparation Roadmap walks you through the official exam structure, a month-by-month study plan, and the recommended reviewers used by past topnotchers.
Congratulations to All February 2026 Passers
To every new Registered Nurse who saw their name on the March 6 list: congratulations. The PNLE is one of the most demanding licensure exams in the Philippines, and passing it is a milestone earned through years of academic work, clinical rotations, and personal sacrifice. The country — and the world — needs you. Welcome to the profession.
Source: Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Board of Nursing. Official February 2026 PNLE results released March 6, 2026.