Question & AnswerQ&A (DFA)
The primary legal basis is Title VI of Republic Act 7157, also known as the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991.
The Board is composed of the Chairman (Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs), Members (Assistant Secretary of DFA Office of Personnel and Administrative Services and Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission), and the Board Secretary (Director of the Foreign Service Institute).
The Board conducts examinations for Career Ministers, Foreign Service Officers, Foreign Service Staff Officers, and Foreign Service Staff Employees; determines examination subjects; prepares and grades exam papers; facilitates psychological examinations; announces final ratings; recommends appointments; sets qualification standards; and reviews examination systems.
Examinations for Foreign Service Officers and Career Ministers must be conducted at least once a year; examinations for Foreign Service Staff Officers and Foreign Service Staff Employees must be conducted at least once every two years or whenever necessary.
Applicants must have at least a four-year Bachelor's Degree or its equivalent, preferably have two years of work experience post-degree, and be less than 36 years old on the examination date.
No, unless there is a written consent of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
They are required to take and pass the examination again to be eligible for appointment.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens and permanent residents of the Philippines, physically and psychologically fit, and of good moral character.
The Board decides on the examiners, who may be senior officials from the Foreign Service Corps, other competent government officers or institutions, and invited consultants from non-governmental institutions.
Examiners must submit handwritten, signed test questions in sealed envelopes, reproduced confidentially by limited personnel, and the questions should be kept sealed until the examination day.