Identified Issues
- Potential irregularities stem from the release protocols for Professional Regulatory Board (PRB) members and PRC personnel inside the Confidential Printing Room (CPR).
- Existing practices allowing early release and immediate receipt of test questionnaires and question reference reports may create opportunities for leaking or unauthorized dissemination of exam materials.
Previous Release Protocols
- PRB members and PRC personnel were released one hour after distribution of the last test questionnaire for the day.
- Copies of the test questionnaires (one copy each of Set A and Set B) and the Question Reference Report (QRR) were given to PRB members upon their exit from the CPR.
Issues with Licensure Exams Having a Single Subject
- Exams with only one subject are typically scheduled between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
- PRB members and personnel assigned to the CPR were being released prematurely at 9:00 a.m., long before the exam concluded.
- Such long gaps allowed suspicions of passing, transmitting, or feeding of questions and answers using electronic means.
Revised Guidelines on Release and Distribution of Exam Materials
- PRB members and PRC personnel assigned to the CPR shall only be released after the conclusion of the day's last exam subject.
- For single-subject exams, release will be at the end of the exam.
- For exams with multiple subjects (two or three), all relevant PRB members and personnel remain until completion of the last subject before release.
Handling of Test Questionnaires and Question Reference Reports
- The Supervisor of the CPR shall provide copies of test questionnaires (one copy each of Set A and Set B) in a sealed envelope to the Head of the Rating Division at the end of each exam day.
- These sealed envelopes are to be released to the relevant PRB member (owner of the subject) the day after the exam is conducted.
Prohibition on Answering Questions Inside CPR
- All PRB members are strictly prohibited from answering or attempting the test questions while inside the Confidential Printing Room to prevent compromising exam integrity.
Penalties and Enforcement
- Violations of this resolution expose the offenders to disciplinary action pursuant to Civil Service laws, rules and regulations, and R.A. No. 8981 along with its implementing guidelines.
Effectivity
- The resolution takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication either in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation, whichever occurs earlier.
Administrative Notes
- A copy of the resolution shall be furnished to the U.P. Law Center.
- The resolution was adopted on February 19, 2008, signed by the PRC Chairperson and Commissioners.