A new legislative measure aimed at eliminating financial barriers for low-income graduates taking professional examinations has been introduced in the Senate.
Senator Erwin Tulfo filed Senate Bill No. 2035, also known as the proposed “Free Professional Examinations Act.” The bill seeks to grant examination fee exemptions to qualified indigent bar and board takers, supporting their aspirations to enter their chosen professions and break the cycle of poverty.
Under SB No. 2035, eligible applicants will be entirely exempt from paying testing fees for major government-administered assessments.
“It is a reality for many Filipinos to finish school but never get the license they worked hard for due to a lack of funds. Instead of paying for licensure exam fees, they tend to start working—often becoming underemployed—just to get by,” Tulfo lamented.
The lawmaker emphasized that this financial hurdle does more than just stall the personal upward mobility of marginalized citizens; it also restricts the growth of the nation’s roster of licensed professionals.
The proposed legislation encompasses several major national examinations, including:
- Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Board Examinations
- Civil Service Commission (CSC) Eligibility Exams
- Supreme Court Bar Examinations
To ensure the program’s integrity, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be responsible for vetting applicants and identifying qualified indigent examinees.
The DSWD will issue official certifications, which beneficiaries can then submit to the PRC, CSC, or the Supreme Court during the application process.
To manage government resources responsibly and maintain the objective of the bill, the free examination privilege can only be availed of once a year per applicant.
“Many of our young students even take on side hustles just to get through graduation; let us help them fully realize their dream of becoming licensed professionals,” Tulfo stressed.