Foreign Service Exam Rules 1992

Conducts examinations for Career Ministers, Foreign Service Officers (FSOs), Foreign Service Staff Officers (FSSOs), and Foreign Service Staff Employees (FSSEs).
Career Minister and FSO exams are at least annual; FSSO and FSSE exams at least biennial or as necessary.
Determines subjects, prepares, and grades exam papers; collaborates with competent government officers for exam formulation and grading.
Facilitates psychological examinations assessing stress tolerance, emotional stability, and fitness for responsibilities.
Announces final results and recommends appointments to appropriate authorities, certifying candidates for different Foreign Service ranks.
Sets qualification standards, exam rules, passing marks, and periodically reviews examination systems for relevance and effectiveness.
Meets at least biannually or when called by the Chairman.

Career Ministers must be Class 1 Foreign Service Officers with at least two years of satisfactory service.
FSOs require a 4-year Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, preferably two years’ work experience, under 36 years old, Filipino citizenship, permanent residency, physical and psychological fitness, and good moral character.
FSSOs must have a Bachelor’s degree, under 35 years old, be Filipino citizens and permanent residents, physically and mentally fit, with good moral character.
FSSEs must have completed three years of college, aged 20 to 30, Filipino citizen, permanent resident, physically and mentally fit, and of good moral character.
Marriage to an alien requires written consent from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to take the exam.
Age limit exceptions are made for those holding responsible service positions for two years prior, if otherwise qualified.
Citizenship and permanent residency in the Philippines are mandatory for appointment and tenure.
Passing FSSO and FSSE exams confer corresponding Civil Service eligibilities; priority employment is given to those who pass the Board’s examinations.

FSO examinations are conducted at least once a year with public announcement at least four months prior; applications are due two months before exams.
Career Minister examinations are also held at least once annually.
FSSO and FSSE exams are conducted at least every two years or as needed.

The Board announces exam dates at least four months in advance and defines the exam scope based on rank requirements.
The Secretariat processes applications and ensures compliance with requirements.
Examiners are selected from senior Foreign Service officials, competent government officers, and possibly non-governmental experts.
Examiners submit handwritten, signed, sealed test questions; the Board selects appropriate questions in a quorum meeting.
Test questions are confidentially reproduced by limited personnel and sealed until exam day.
Examination proctors monitor the process under instructions and briefing from the Board Secretary or Assistant.
Examinees are clearly informed of all rules; violations may lead to disqualification.
Results, including individual subject ratings, are communicated promptly; Board decisions on final ratings are final.
Deliberations on results are confidential; Board members abstain in cases of conflict of interest.
Candidates declining appointment after passing must retake exams if resuming eligibility.
No limit exists on the number of exam attempts subject to age qualifications.

The Board may amend or revise these rules as necessary.
The rules take effect fifteen days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.