Last updated: October 9, 2026
Quick answer: When is the PNLE February 2027?
PRC has not yet released the official 2027 exam calendar. Since 2026, the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE) has been held in February and August, not the old May and November schedule. In 2026 the first exam was on February 26–27. Filing opened on November 28, 2025 and closed on January 27, 2026.
If 2027 follows the same pattern, expect the exam in late February 2027, with LERIS filing opening around late November 2026. That means you should get your documents ready now. PRC usually releases the next year’s calendar in mid-November, and we will update this page with the official dates.
Graduating this school year, or planning to retake? This guide covers the PNLE’s new February/August schedule, the expected February 2027 timeline, requirements, the five subjects, the passing rule and the latest results.
What Changed: No More November NLE
For years, the nursing board exam was held in May/June and November. Under PRC Resolution No. 2113, s. 2025, the PRC’s 2026 calendar moved the exam to February and August:
| 2026 cycle | Exam dates | Filing opened | Filing deadline | Results target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | February 26–27, 2026 (Thu–Fri) | November 28, 2025 | January 27, 2026 | March 19, 2026 |
| August 2026 | August 29–30, 2026 (Sat–Sun)* | May 15, 2026 | July 15, 2026 | Released September 18, 2026 |
*Because of the number of examinees, the August 2026 PNLE was held over two batches: August 29–30 and September 10–12, 2026.
So if you’ve been searching for “NLE November 2026,” there wasn’t one. The next PNLE is the February 2027 cycle.
PNLE February 2027: Expected Timeline
| Milestone | Expected timing (based on the 2026 pattern) |
|---|---|
| PRC releases the 2027 calendar | Mid-November 2026 (the 2026 calendar came out in November 2025) |
| LERIS filing opens | Expected: around late November 2026 |
| Filing deadline | Expected: around late January 2027 (about one month before the exam) |
| Exam dates | Expected: late February 2027 (2 days) |
| Results | Expected: about 1–3 weeks after the exam (February 2026 results came out in early March) |
| Second 2027 cycle | Expected: late August 2027 |
These are projections, not official dates. Always confirm on prc.gov.ph and in your LERIS account before filing or booking travel.
Who Can Take the PNLE?
- A Filipino citizen, or a foreign citizen from a country with reciprocity for Filipino nurses
- Of good moral character
- A graduate of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program from a school, college or university recognized by the government
- Has completed the required Related Learning Experience (RLE) hours
- Has not been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude
Requirements and Fee
First-time takers
- PSA birth certificate
- PSA marriage certificate (for married female applicants using their married name)
- Transcript of Records with Special Order (if applicable), with photo and the remark “For Board Examination Purposes”
- Certificate of Related Learning Experience (RLE), if required by your PRC office
- Valid NBI clearance
- Certificates of good moral character, as required by PRC
Repeaters
- Valid NBI clearance, PSA marriage certificate (if applicable), and other documents your PRC office asks for
Examination fee
₱900 for degree-level exams, plus small payment or processing charges.
Do it now: School registrars get swamped with TOR requests from November onward, and NBI appointments fill up fast before Christmas. If filing opens in late November, documents you request in October will be ready on time. New to LERIS? Follow our PRC LERIS Online Registration Guide.
PNLE Subjects (Nursing Practice I–V)
| Subject | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Nursing Practice I | Community Health Nursing |
| Nursing Practice II | Care of Healthy/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) |
All five subjects include questions on the foundations of nursing, nursing research, professional adjustment, leadership and management, and the legal and ethical aspects of practice. Each one has its own exam paper.
Passing rule
To pass, you need a general average of at least 75% and no rating below 60% in any subject.
Latest PNLE Results
| Exam | Passers | Examinees | Passing rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | 3,611 | 8,162 | 44.24% (full results) |
| August–September 2026 | 28,652 | 37,359 | 76.69% |
Look at the difference between the two cycles. The August cycle is the main one for new graduates, with 37,359 examinees and a 76.69% passing rate. The February cycle is much smaller and has many repeaters, so its passing rate was lower (44.24%). If you’re a repeater targeting February 2027, plan a structured review. Rereading your old notes won’t be enough.
For August–September 2026 passers, PRC online registration for IDs and certificates is reported to start October 13, 2026.
4-Month Review Plan for February 2027
| When | Focus |
|---|---|
| October | Diagnostic exam across NP I–V. Start with fundamentals of nursing, pharmacology basics and lab values. Request your TOR and NBI clearance. |
| November | NP I (Community Health) and NP II (Maternal and Child). File in LERIS as soon as filing opens. |
| December | NP III–V: medical-surgical nursing by body system, plus psychiatric nursing. Do 100 practice items a day with rationales. |
| January | Timed mock exams (100 items per paper), prioritization and delegation questions, and a review of your error log. |
| February | Light review, check your room assignment, prepare for exam day. |
For practice, try our NLE Interactive Sample Exam and NLE Practice Questions Volume 1. These were written before the schedule change, but the content still applies.
Planning to work abroad after passing? See How Much Do Nurses Earn in the Philippines (2027), which includes overseas pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the PNLE February 2027?
PRC has not released the official date yet. Based on the 2026 schedule (February 26–27), expect late February 2027. PRC’s 2027 calendar is expected around mid-November 2026.
Is there still a November nursing board exam?
No. Starting in 2026, the PNLE moved to February and August under PRC Resolution No. 2113, s. 2025.
When does filing for the February 2027 PNLE open?
Not announced yet. For the February 2026 exam, LERIS filing opened on November 28, 2025 and closed on January 27, 2026, so expect a similar window.
What is the passing rate of the PNLE in 2026?
The February 2026 passing rate was 44.24% (3,611 of 8,162). The August–September 2026 passing rate was 76.69% (28,652 of 37,359).
What is the passing score for the PNLE?
A general average of at least 75%, with no subject below 60%.
Sources
- PRC: Resolution No. 2113, s. 2025 – Schedule of Licensure Examinations for the Year 2026 (PDF)
- PRC: February 2026 Nurses Licensure Examination Results
- Daily Tribune: 7 schools post 100% PNLE passing rate (August–September 2026 results)
- Astig.ph: 28,652 of 37,359 pass the 2026 nurses licensure exam
Exams Pinas is not affiliated with the PRC. Always confirm dates, requirements and fees on the official PRC website and in your LERIS account.