Further study needed on proposal to scrap board exams for nurses, says Duque

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday said the proposal to scrap licensure exams for nurses and other professionals needs further study.

It was Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III who floated the idea of doing away with licensure exams due to the high financial costs of studying and taking the boards, arguing that graduating from a Commission on Higher Education-accredited institution should be enough.

Bello, however, later clarified that he only wants the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to look into licensure exams and not scrap them altogether. 

In a text message to GMA News Online, Duque said Bello “has to convince the legislators to amend the Nursing Act and PRC law.”

“That needs further study as there are laws that require professionals to pass board exams prior to issuance of a license,” he added.

Bello had also said that the scrapping of licensure exams might be his "pet bill" if he decides to run for Congress.

Meanwhile, the PNA rejected Bello’s proposal, stressing that the competency of health professionals must be ensured as they have people’s lives on their hands. 

PNA national president Melbert Reyes said the Board of Nursing also thumbed down the proposal.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo has also opposed the abolition of the Bar exams.  —KBK, GMA News