How To Renew PRC License Without CPD Units 2020

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This is not a mom-related or parenting-related article, yet I feel the need to write this especially for those who think that the CPD Act of 2016 is BS. Basically, the act requires you to earn a number of units so you can renew your professional license. So you may ask, “can I renew PRC license without CPD Units?”

The short answer is – Yes, you can, because I WAS ABLE TO. But that is because PRC was undergoing a transition period.

I don’t want to dwell on why I think CPD Act is not helpful. I’m sure a lot of people think the same way. Take this online petition filed in 2017 for instance. Instead, I will share my experience with PRC and what went down during the renewal.

In this post, I will share with you the steps and some tips on how you can renew your PRC license even without CPD units. I’m telling you it’s possible. This post will also answer questions regarding OFWs and the renewal of their license or for those who are concerned about having no CPD units for first renewal.

Where to Renew Your PRC License in Cebu?

I went to SM City Cebu, thinking that PRC license renewal is available in their Government Services center. I had my license renewed there before. But I found out that SM City Cebu Government Services no longer accepts renewals and that I should go to Robinsons-Galleria instead. When I arrived in Galleria, my companion was still not around and I headed straight to Lingkod Pinoy center for PRC.

At that time, there was something wrong with the system that the staff said they can’t process the PRC license renewal and that this had to be done in Mandaue City. Note, however, that PRC has already announced that it won’t allow walk-in transactions.

Guess I’m lucky I was able to do it in 2018. You need to set up an appointment in advance via the website (check below).

PRC Renewal Requirements 2020

Requirements for PRC Renewal may vary according to profession, but usually, you’ll need to have these documents:

• A passport-sized picture with white background and name tag
• Payment of renewal fee
• Earned CPD units (bring your certificates from seminars)
• Certificate of Good Standing (for some professions only)

For dual citizens, the following requirements may be needed:

• Current and valid Philippine Passport or
• Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines or
• Identification Certificate where the applicant is recognized as a Filipino citizen

Can I renew my PRC license without CPD Units?

Of course, you can. Although you can apply for PRC renewal online, you still need to visit the office to submit the required documents. If you already have an account with online PRC, you still have to register because accounts previously created with PRC no longer work in the new system. It was also stated that you need to set your PRC appointment in advance.

Here’s a document on PRC renewal without CPD units. Download it, save it to your phone or even print it. It’s a complete guide on how you can renew your PRC license without CPD units. Read about the online registration. If you have not made an account, make one now and read Page 2. If you already have an account (in the new platform), sign in to your account then skip to Page 17 for the renewal process.

How Many CPD Units Should I Have Before I Can Renew My PRC License?

PRC has reduced the number of CPD units required to renew your PRC license. Here’s an excerpt of this news from PSME. These changes took effect in March 2019.

CPD is still a mandatory requirement for the renewal of the PRC ID of all registered and licensed professionals. Significant decrease in the number of required CPD units for the renewal of professional license. From 45 units, it’s now down to 15 units every three years.

That’s good news because that means we no longer need to pay fees after fees to attend seminar after seminar just to reach the number of units, which was 45. Fifteen units for three years can easily be achieved!

Prc Renewal For OFW Without CPD

I also know the PRC renewal without CPD units was a pain in the butt for OFW. After all, they’re working hard abroad, being away from their family and then here comes the requirement that in order to renew a professional’s license, they have to attend seminars to get credit.

But here’s another piece of good news. Overseas workers are exempted from the CPD units, which means they don’t need it to renew their license. They might just present certain documents to facilitate renewal.

PRC First Time Renewal

Is it your first time to renew your PRC license? Then you’ll also be exempted from the CPD units requirement. PRC stated that newly-licensed professionals don’t need to accumulate the needed CPD units in order to have their licensed renewed. This only applies to the first license renewal cycle.

The photo below is taken from the official PRC document that stated CPD unit requirement exemptions for OFWs and newly-licensed professionals. If you want to read the full PRC resolution 1146, click here.

PRC Renewal Fee for 2020

The following are the fees for PRC renewal in 2020.

• Professions requiring baccalaureate degree: P150.00 per year or total of P450.00 for 3 years (I paid this fee)
• Professions requiring a non-baccalaureate degree: 140.00 pesos per year or total of 420.00 pesos for 3 years

And if you happen to have your PRC license renewal late, there are extra fees to pay. The surcharge applies to professionals who will renew the license 20 days after their birth month

• Baccalaureate degree surcharge: 30.00 pesos
• Surcharge for non-baccalaureate degree: 28.00 pesos

What To Expect? My Personal Experience

This was my experience in 2018 but it might be different for you today. I had dreaded that day thinking I could never renew my license ever because I didn’t have CPD units. But I was wrong. And I could say maybe I was overthinking because what happened is nothing that I expected.

The teller simply asked me if I had accumulated CPD units, to which I answered, “No” (but really, I did attend one seminar but I forgot to bring my certificate lol). She then asked if I’m willing to give an undertaking, to which I simply answered, “Yes.” And that’s it. 

The statement of an undertaking is already on the form itself. You just have to fill out the blanks and sign it. But since the system is offline, she instructed me to come back on Monday and to make sure I call first before coming. She’s nice, yeah? 

The next Monday, I went there and told the cashier I was going to check on the status of my PRC renewal. And she just told me to head to the cashier and pay for the P450 fee. That’s it. Then I thought I would be given a day or a certain date on when I can pick up my new license. But I was just told to wait for my number to be called. On that same day, I got my license!

Remember this: You can still have PRC renewal without CPD units.

Bottomline: I was able to renew my PRC license even though I lacked the required CPD units that time. However, PRC did announce on the website that applications with incomplete CPD unit requirements can still be accepted but only until December 2020.

NOTE: This post was published in July 2018 and was updated on Jan. 24, 2020. PRC was still lenient when it comes to accepting professional license renewal without CPD units. The process now may differ from how it was then.