A NEW testing center that will host the Computer-Based Licensure Examination (CBLE) through the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) 7 has been established in the Visayas, marking a significant step towards improving access to licensure examinations in the region.
The opening of the CBLE center also represents an important step in improving the licensure examination process as the PRC gradually transitions from traditional paper-based exams to digital assessments.
In an interview, PRC Commissioner Erwin Enad said the initiative is part of the PRC’s ongoing efforts to modernize and digitalize the licensure exam process.
“It’s not just about the preparation or the actual conduct of the computer-based exams; it also enhances the assessment process, making it much easier and more efficient,” Enad said.
The facility that will initially offer six licensure exams will serve as both a CBLE and a regular testing venue. It is equipped with 282 laptops, allowing the same number of examinees to take their exams simultaneously.
“We’re targeting small to medium-scale examinations, but we plan to expand to areas with a larger number of examinees in the near future,” said PRC 7 Director Narcival Taquiqui.
At present, the PRC is focusing on 16 professions for small- to medium-scale licensure exams, including the following: sanitary engineers, dental technologists, speech-language pathologists, dental hygienists, psychologists, plant mechanics, librarians, ocular pharmacologists, optometrists, naval architects, chemists, meteorological engineers, mining engineers, geologists and x-ray technologists.
“We are focusing on small-scale exams initially, but we plan to expand our capacity to accommodate up to 2,500 examinees,” Enad said.
Enad said the center’s location on the fourth floor of GMC Plaza, M.J. Cuenco Ave., Legaspi Exit, Cebu City, near Plaza Independencia, is strategic to serve not only Cebu but also its neighboring islands, with its proximity to Cebu’s pier.
There are eight PRC CBLE testing centers across the country, located in the National Capital Region, Region 1, Region 4A, Region 5, Region 6, Region 7, Region 10 and Region 11.
The first group of examinees to use the new Cebu facility will be those taking the Respiratory Therapy licensure examination on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The exams will be conducted simultaneously across the country.
To ensure a smooth testing experience, Taquiqui said the PRC is coordinating with Visayan Electric Company to avoid power outages during the exams.
In the event of a blackout, the facility is equipped with backup generators.
Enad concluded that the opening of the CBLE center represents a significant step in improving the licensure examination process as the PRC gradually transitions from traditional paper-based exams to digital assessments.
Furthermore, the PRC plans to expand the CBLE system to large-scale licensure exams in the future, including those for criminologists, teachers and accountants. / CDF