Nurse Licensure (PNLE)
preparation guide
Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination — a month-by-month study plan and how to approach each subject.
The exam in brief
Two days, paper-based: five Nursing Practice tests of 100 items and 2 hours each. NP I is Community Health Nursing; NP II is Care of Mother and Adolescent plus Growth and Development; NP III covers Surgery, Oxygenation, Fluids and Electrolytes, Infection and Cellular Aberrations; NP IV covers Nutrition, GI, Metabolism and Endocrine, and Perception and Coordination; NP V covers Maladaptive Behavior and critical, high-acuity care. A general average of at least 75% with no NP below 60%. If your average passes but one NP is below 60%, you retake only that NP and need at least 75% in it. Pass rates ranged from 44% to 90% in the last four sittings.
Official sources, dates and fees are on the Nurse Licensure (PNLE) page.
Month-by-month Nurse Licensure (PNLE) plan
Month 1: Map NP I–V
Five tests of 100 items, 2 hours each
- Take a diagnostic across all five NPs
- Sort weak topics by NP
- Remember the 60% floor per NP
Month 2: NP I and NP II
Community health; mother, adolescent, growth and development
- Community health nursing programs and interventions
- Maternal and adolescent care
- Growth and development milestones
Month 3: NP III, IV and V
Surgical and oxygenation; GI, endocrine and perception; behavior and critical care
- Case scenarios with prioritization
- Pharmacology and nursing implications
- Therapeutic communication and critical care
Final month: Exam readiness
Two exam days
- Sit full timed practice across two days
- Revise your weakest NP
- Confirm your PRC exam permit and venue
How to approach each subject
NP I — Community Health Nursing
100 items, 2 hours
- Community health programs
- Family and population-group care
- Levels of prevention
NP III and NP IV — Medical-surgical care
100 items each
- Surgery, oxygenation, fluids and electrolytes
- GI, metabolism and endocrine, perception
- Prioritization in case scenarios
NP V — Behavior and critical care
100 items
- Therapeutic communication
- Psychiatric conditions and medications
- High-acuity and emergency care
Study for the Nurse Licensure (PNLE) with Super Tutor
Every chapter, 11 ways
Summaries, study notes, flashcards, concept maps and cheat sheets for each Nurse Licensure (PNLE) chapter.
Quizzes at three levels
Practice quizzes for every chapter, with an explanation for each answer.
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Full mock exams
Timed Nurse Licensure (PNLE) mocks. One is included in the free trial.
Nurse Licensure (PNLE) preparation FAQs
Preparation time, passing rule and the next exam date
How long should I prepare for the Nurse Licensure (PNLE)?
Most reviewees plan for three to six months, depending on how recently they finished their degree. Map every subject first, then give more weeks to the heaviest and weakest subjects.
How do you pass the Nurse Licensure (PNLE)?
A general average of at least 75% with no NP below 60%. If your average passes but one NP is below 60%, you retake only that NP and need at least 75% in it. Pass rates ranged from 44% to 90% in the last four sittings.
When is the next Nurse Licensure (PNLE)?
The last Nurse Licensure (PNLE) was held on 29–30 August 2026 (weather make-up days 11–12 September). The next one is expected in 2027 but hasn't been announced by PRC yet. The NLE months moved from May/November in 2025 to February/August in 2026, so the 2027 month can't be predicted. PRC has not published its 2027 exam schedule yet.
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