Ownership and Handling of Test Materials
- Test booklets and questionnaires used in licensure examinations are the property of the Professional Regulatory Boards conducting the exams.
- According to PRC and Board guidelines, used test materials are to be destroyed after each licensure examination.
Prohibition on Unauthorized Reproduction and Possession
- Unauthorized reproduction, copying, possession, distribution, or sale of test booklets or questionnaires used in licensure exams is strictly prohibited.
- These materials are often taken without consent, reproduced by unscrupulous individuals or entities, and sold or distributed as review materials.
Legal Basis for Prohibition
- The taking of test booklets without consent constitutes theft (asportation or thievery).
- Possession of such materials is considered illegal since they are derived from theft.
Enforcement and Penalties
- The PRC calls upon the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), Local Government Units, and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend and prosecute violators.
- Violations may be charged under the Revised Penal Code, Presidential Decree No. 1612 (Anti-Fencing Law), and when applicable, Republic Act No. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code).
Effectivity and Amendments
- This resolution supersedes any inconsistent issuances.
- It takes effect fifteen days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Summary of Key Provisions
- Absolute prohibition on unauthorized possession, reproduction, sale, and distribution of licensure exam materials.
- Affirmation of test materials as property of regulatory boards.
- Mandate for destruction of used test materials post-examinations to prevent misuse.
- Collaboration with law enforcement agencies for strict enforcement and prosecution of offenses.
- Legal consequences tied to theft, anti-fencing, and intellectual property laws.