How to Do PRC Renewal of License Online

I am lazy when it comes to renewing my professional license (a.k.a. PRC license). My reasons are (1) I could not go absent from work, (2) Going to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) is too tedious, and (3) I do not have enough Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.

I was forced to renew my PRC license last year because I heard that the PRC will remove the license of all Filipino professionals who don’t renew their PRC license for more than 10 years. It was a big hassle for me because I had to move heaven and earth just to get the required CPD points. My only consolation was that the PRC renewal of license is now online.

If you are a Filipino professional like who have to renew his PRC license, then here are the steps that you should follow to do PRC renewal of license online.

Step 1. Go to the PRC Online website and register.

Step 2. Fill up the required information in the PRC Online Registration/Renewal Form

Step 3. Upload your photo.

Note that the photo that you will submit to the PRC online will be used for your new PRC ID. So to avoid delay or disapproval, you must follow these requirements:

1. The photo must be 2X2 in size in plain white background.
2. The photos must be taken no more than 6 months prior to uploading.
3. The applicant must wear decent attire with collar.

The application of PRC renewal will not be processed if:

1. The photo does not resemble the applicant.
2. The applicant wears eyeglasses.
3. The background is not plain white.
4. The photo has shadows.
5. Ears are covered.

Based on my experience, the PRC website do not accept photos that have file size that are very big. I had to use a photo editing software to reduce the file size of my photos.

It is a big hassle if your photo is not accepted by the PRC because you will be asked for an acceptable photo during your scheduled appointment with the PRC. I recommend that you bring a 2x2 photo that follow the above mentioned requirements when you go to the PRC office to avoid hassle when your photo was rejected. 

Step 4. Schedule your PRC renewal.

Click the “Select Transaction” button in your PRC online profile. Fill up the required information and then choose the PRC office or satellite office where you want to pick up your PRC license. You should also select the date for the pick up of PRC license.

Step 5. Pay for your PRC renewal of license.

PRC online will give you a voucher that you can use to pay your PRC license renewal. You can pay at any authorized Bayad Center. 

Step 6. Pick up your PRC license

Go to your selected PRC office or PRC satellite office on your appointed schedule to pick up your PRC license. Don’t forget to bring the receipt of your payment of the PRC renewal fee, CPD certificates, certificate of good standing from your professional organization, and your old PRC ID. Photocopy all of the said documents because the PRC staff may request copies of it.

And that’s it. That’s the easy and convenient way of PRC renewal of license. I am happy with this new system created by the PRC. What’s problematic is the CPD system that the PRC instituted. I believe that the CPD system is unfair.

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5 Problems in PRC License Renewal

My experience with PRC license renewal is fine since I didn’t encounter any problem. I renewed my professional license at the central office of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in Morayta, Manila. The whole process has lots of pila (queue) and time consuming.

Other Filipino professionals were not as fortunate as I am and encountered problems.

What are these problems? Just continue reading this post to find out.

(Source: PRC website)

Problem 1: Delayed Release of PRC License

Delayed release of PRC license is the major problem in PRC satellite offices in SM malls. Some commenters reported that her PRC license is still not available after a month had passed after her submission of requirements for PRC license renewal.

Read my posts about PRC license renewals at SM malls and SM business centers.

Problem 2: Penalty Fees

Another problem that isusually raised is about the penalty for professionals who didn't renew their PRC license for many years. The PRC is not clear about this and the information is not available at their website.

Problem 3: Authorized Representative

Pinoy professionals are very busy people. That's why many of them don't have the time to go to the PRC office for the PRC license renewal. The usual question is if the PRC allows their representative to renew their PRC license for them. The answer is “yes”. For the details, please read my post about authorization letter for PRC license renewal.

Problem 4: PRC License Renew before the Expiration Date

This problem was raised many times by some commenters. Unfortunately, I don't have answer for it yet.

Problem 5: Lost PRC License

Another common problem is the losing the PRC license. Pinoy professionals are worried about getting a copy of it from the PRC. Good thing that the PRC issues new PRC license to replace the missing ones. All the professional need to do is to submit an affidavit of loss.

For more information, please read my tips for PRC license renewal.

These are five common problems or questions that I received from commenters to this blog. I know that there are more problems that I failed to include. Anyone is free to share their problems or their experiences in PRC license renewal. Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.

Procedures for PRC License Renewal at SM Business Center

PRC license renewal is already available at selected Shoe Mart (SM) malls nationwide. As I had mentioned in an earlier blog post, Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) satellite offices are present in nine (9) SM Malls in Metro Manila and four (4) SM mall in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas.

But a more good news is that you can also have your PRC license renewed by going to any SM business center. This is good news because professionals can renew their license without going to any PRC office. Renewal can even be done before or after shopping.

Professionals who want to renew their PRC license at SM Business Center should follow these general procedures:

1. Fill out the PRC license renewal form at the Business Center of any SM Mall.

2. Pay at the SM Business Center the following fees: assessed fee for PRC license renewal, photo fee, and convenience fee. Additional courier service fee should be paid if the professional want his/her PRC (professional) license delivered to his/her address indicated in the renewal form.

3. If you paid the courier service fee then you just need to wait for your PRC license to be delivered at your address.

Those who did not pay the courier service fee must claim the PRC license on the date indicated in the claim stub.

Here are some reminders for PRC license renewal at SM business Center:

Representatives claiming the PRC license must present the official receipt, the claim stub, the ID of the representative, and a letter of authority or Special Power of Attorney (SPA) from the professional.

The photo fee, convenience fee, and courier fee are collected by SM Mart. Only the assessed renewal fee form part of PRC's fees.

To know more about PRC license renewal, please read these blog posts:

Tips on Renewing Your Professional License at PRC
How to Change Your Name on PRC ID due to Marriage
How to Apply for PRC Express ID
Authorization for PRC License Renewal

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Information in this blog post was obtained from the PRC official website.

PRC License Renewal should Go Online

A commenter in my post about professional license renewal at SM malls complained about the Professional Regulation Commission's (PRC) lack of renewal process that can be done via the Internet. His complaint is for those Filipino professionals who live very far from PRC regional offices. They will be forced to travel by boat just to renew their license.

I understand the commenter's predicament. In this age when the Internet already invaded many parts of our lives, it is sad to note that the PRC is still stuck with the “paper age”. It is good that the PRC has a website and some registration procedures can be done online. Those are not enough, however, because what's being offered on the PRC website are just online forms.

An example of this the PRC Online Application system. The website of PRC just provided a way of inputting your personal data and nothing else. You still need to go a PRC office to proceed to the next steps.

Another is the “online” initial registration system. The PRC website only provides a way for Filipino professionals to download the Oath Form. The next steps are to done again at the PRC office, thus Filipino professionals will be forced to visit them.

I hate it whenever I have to spend half of my day in renewing my professional license. I am sure that many Filipino professionals feel the same way too.

When will PRC improve their system? When will they catch-up and modernize their system of license renewal and initial registration of professional?