Everything You Need To Know About The Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam
Ever wonder what life would be like without mechanical engineers?
Think life without machines. Refrigerators. Elevators and escalators. Power plants. And just about every single thing that makes life more efficient and convenient for us. Chances are, you’ve used things today that work because a mechanical engineering principle is hinged on it. (You know we’re right.)
All these to say that mechanical engineering is vital to our everyday lives, and more so, to our country’s development and nation-building. That’s why we need more geniuses in the field who will join our community of excellent, qualitative, world-class and globally competitive Filipino mechanical engineers. Are you up for the challenge
Aside from four to five years of mastering all there is to know about mechanical engineering in college, one important step towards becoming a full-fledged mechanical engineer is passing the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam.
If you’re dead set on becoming one, the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam is one of the #careergoals you ought to have. So get your notebook and pen, and let this guide help you turn your exam permit into a license certificate!
What is the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam?
As part of the Philippine Regulatory Commission’s (PRC) mandate to oversee the different professions in the country, the Philippine Mechanical Engineering Act of 1998 requires aspiring mechanical engineers to take a written technical exam to measure their competence and evaluate whether they’re fit for this career or not.
Passing the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam is required for anyone who wants to practice mechanical engineering as a profession.
What is the coverage of the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam?
The Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam covers a fairly wide range of topics that include a mix of practical and theoretical engineering concepts. However, it’s important to remember that the scope of the exam depends on what type of engineering work, specifically the category of mechanical engineering you choose to be registered in.
Applicants can decide whether they would like to be evaluated for the Professional Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer (ME), or Certified Plant Mechanic (CPM) license.
For Professional Mechanical Engineer:
- Unlike the usual pen-and-paper test in licensure exams, this category tends to be more testimonial in nature. This means that applicants would have to submit tangible accounts which prove their valuable experiences in mechanical engineering. It could be engineering reports or technical papers that can be attested by at least two (2) professional mechanical engineers through an affidavit.
For Mechanical Engineer:
- Applicants for this category would undergo the traditional written test. If you’re interested to take this one, here are the subjects that will be covered in the exam: (1) Machine Design, Materials, and Shop Practice; (2) Industrial and Power Plant Engineering; and (3) Mathematics Engineering Economics and Basic Engineering Sciences.
For Certified Plant Mechanic:
- Depending on the decision of the Board and the applicant’s statement of experience, the licensure exam for this category may be written or oral. If you’ll take the CPM, you can expect these subjects in the exam: (1) Elements of Power Plant Machinery; (2) Elements of Industrial Plant Machinery; and (3) Shop Machinery and Practice.
If you want a more in-depth look on the topics you should study when reviewing, check the detailed table of specifications on their website. It’ll be super helpful since you’ll know where to focus your brain power!
What is the passing rate for the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam?
Regardless if you’re applying for a professional mechanical engineer, a mechanical engineer, or a certified plant mechanic license, you must meet the average score of 70% on all subjects. This includes not having a rating below 50% in any of the subjects.
Ever wonder how our aspiring mechanical engineers and certified plant mechanics are faring in the exams? Here’s the trend of the mechanical engineering licensure exam passing rates over the last three years:
Exam Date |
No. of Passers | Total No. of Examinees |
Passing Rate |
August 2018 | ME- 3,092
CPM- 69 |
ME- 5,084
CPM- 142 |
ME- 60.82%
CPM- 48.59% |
February 2018 | ME- 933
CPM- 20 |
ME- 1,983
CPM- 44 |
ME- 47.04%
CPM- 45.45% |
September 2017 | ME- 3,517
CPM- 31 |
ME- 5,098
CPM- 105 |
ME- 68.99%
CPM- 29.52% |
March 2017 | ME- 1,083
CPM- 19 |
ME- 1,904
CPM- 39 |
ME- 56.88%
CPM- 48.72% |
September 2016 | ME- 3,110
CPM- 40 |
ME- 4,470
CPM- 68 |
ME- 69.57%
CPM- 58.82% |
March 2016 | ME- 910
CPM- 33 |
ME- 1,645
CPM- 53 |
ME- 55.32%
CPM- 62.26% |
*ME- Mechanical Engineering
**CPM- Certified Plant Mechanic
What are the eligibility requirements of the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam?
It’s one thing to want to take the board exams, and another thing to know if you’re actually eligible for it or not. According to the PRC Board of Mechanical Engineering, here are the criteria you must meet to take the exam depending on which certificate category you choose:
For Professional Mechanical Engineer:
- A Filipino citizen;
- A registered mechanical engineer with a valid professional license and a valid certificate of registration;
- Has no criminal record;
- Has graduated from an engineering school and completed a course in mechanical engineering;
- Has a total of at least four (4) years of active mechanical engineering practice as a licensed professional
- Has proven competence in the field, as attested by at least two (2) professional mechanical engineers
For Mechanical Engineer:
- A Filipino citizen;
- Has no criminal record;
- Has a degree in Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
For Certified Plant Mechanic:
- Has no criminal record;
- Has graduated from a trade or vocational school with a course in stationary or power plant engineering or any mechanical plant operation (not less than 2 years);
- Has a total of at least one (1) year active practice in mechanical plant operation, as attested by a registered professional mechanical engineer’s affidavit
PS. If an applicant fails to pass the exam for the third time, he/she can only re-take the test after one year.
What are the application requirements of the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam?
Save yourself from the hassle of cramming documents and other requirements! Since slots are easily filled up and requirements may take some time to process, we suggest you be an early bird and apply early for the exam!
Here are the requirements you need to present when you do:
- NSO/PSA Birth Certificate
- Transcript of Records with scanned picture and Remarks “For Board Examination Purposes”
- Valid NBI Clearance
- Examination fee payment (Php 900)
When is the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam schedule?
Like in other board exams, the PRC decides on the annual schedule of the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam. While the dates might differ every year, you can expect two batches of exam within six months interval. So you can just choose which one you’ll take!
Based on the 2019 licensure exams schedule released by the PRC, the next Mechanical Engineering board exam will be conducted on August 25 (Sunday) and August 26 (Monday). The exam will also be held simultaneously in PRC centers in Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Lucena, and Tacloban.
To stay updated with the latest info on the upcoming exams, always be on the lookout for announcements in the PRC official website and Facebook page.
How to apply for the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam?
Thanks to online technology, you don’t have to sweat your applications. Through the PRC’s Licensure Examination and Registration Information System (LERIS), you can start applying for the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam anytime, anywhere!
Here’s a quick overview of your exam application process:
- Prepare all your requirements.
- Register and set up your LERIS account.
- Select the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Examination tab.
- Schedule an appointment with PRC.
- Choose your preferred payment method and pay for the exam fee.
- Print your application form.
- Proceed to the PRC on your appointment date and submit your requirements.
PS. Don’t forget your PRC account after the exam. You’ll still need it to access other services on the website, like processing and renewing your professional license!
Where can I check the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam results?
After the grueling exam comes the part when you relax and wait for your exam results. But hey, the hardest part is over!
As early as three working days, the PRC releases the official list of passers and top performing schools. Just check the PRC official website or you can go directly to the online verification portal to know how well you did in the exam.
When you see your name on the list (and do your happy dance), you can expect your certificate of registration and professional license from the PRC after a month of the test release date.
Thousands of newly-inducted Mechanical Engineers and Certified Plant Mechanics are being added in our roster. Will you be the next one in the list? Get your skills and competencies measure up to the standards. Take the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam!
Ready to take ace the Mechanical Engineering board exam? Let us help you nail it on the big day. Read more helpful articles like this in the College Life blog section at Edukasyon.ph now!
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