A graduate of Velez College has secured a spot among the country’s top performers in the February 2026 Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE), bringing pride to Cebu.
Christine Clare Burgos placed third nationwide with a rating of 91 percent, according to results released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on March 6.
The top spot was claimed by Alyanna Marie Villegas of Saint Paul University Tuguegarao, who obtained a rating of 92 percent.
The PRC reported that 3,611 out of 8,162 examinees passed the February 2026 PNLE, translating to a national passing rate of 44.24 percent.
The results of four examinees were withheld pending final determination of their liabilities under the rules governing licensure examinations.
The nursing board examinations were conducted on February 26 and 27 in testing centers across the country, including Cebu, Metro Manila, Baguio, Davao, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Tacloban.
Burgos’ achievement continues Cebu’s strong showing in the nursing licensure exams.
During the November 2025 PNLE, 41 graduates from Cebu-based schools made it to the list of topnotchers nationwide. Eight of them shared the fifth spot with a rating of 93 percent.
The nursing licensure examination is among the PRC’s largest board programs in terms of number of examinees.
In the November 2025 exams, 40,692 out of 45,192 examinees passed, resulting in a 90.04 percent national passing rate.
The PRC said successful examinees may begin their initial registration for their Professional Identification Card and Certificate of Registration starting April 13, 2026.
Passers are required to schedule an online appointment through the PRC website and bring the necessary documents, including their Notice of Admission, completed oath form, passport-sized photos, documentary stamps and a brown envelope.
They must also personally sign the Roster of Registered Professionals as part of the registration process.
The PRC will hold oath-taking ceremonies for the new batch of registered nurses. Those who wish to attend the face-to-face mass oath-taking must confirm their attendance through the PRC’s online services platform, while others may opt for virtual or special oath-taking.
The February 2026 PNLE covered five major areas of nursing practice: community health nursing, maternal and child care, medical and surgical nursing, nutrition and metabolic disorders, and psychiatric nursing.
The examination also assessed competencies in handling emergency situations and managing patients with life-threatening conditions. (LLP)
