Question & AnswerQ&A (DFA)
The rules are pursuant to Title VI of Republic Act 7157, also known as the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991.
The Board is composed of a Chairman who is the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, members including the Assistant Secretary of DFA Office of Personnel and Administrative Services, the Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission, and the Board Secretary who is the Director of the Foreign Service Institute.
The Board conducts examinations for Career Ministers, Foreign Service Officers (FSOs), Foreign Service Staff Officers (FSSOs), and Foreign Service Staff Employees (FSSEs), determines examination subjects, prepares and grades exams, facilitates psychological testing, announces results, recommends appointments, and sets qualification standards and examination rules.
Examinations for Foreign Service Officers and Career Ministers must be conducted at least once a year.
The applicant must have at least a four-year bachelor's degree or equivalent, preferably two years of work experience, be below 36 years old on the exam date, a Filipino citizen and permanent resident of the Philippines, physically and psychologically fit, and of good moral character.
Any person holding a responsible position in the Department of Foreign Affairs or the Foreign Service Institute for at least two years prior to the examination date may take the exam regardless of the maximum age limit, provided they are otherwise qualified.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens and permanent residents of the Philippines at the time of appointment and during their tenure. Those with permanent residence status abroad must have relinquished it and established Philippine residency for at least one year before appointment.
If a passing examinee declines the appointment within one year from the offer date, they must retake and pass the examination again to be eligible for appointment.
Yes, there is no limit to the number of times an examinee may take the exams as long as they are within the prescribed age limit.
Examiners submit handwritten and signed test questions in sealed envelopes. The Board opens these and selects appropriate questions. The reproduction of questions is done confidentially with limited personnel present, and the questions remain sealed until the examination date.