THE INTER-AGENCY Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has allowed the holding of licensure examinations scheduled in January to March, Malacañang said on Friday.

“The request of the Professional Regulation Commission to conduct and administer the licensure examinations for professionals scheduled for January to March 2021 was approved,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.

Licensure examinations for medical technologists, sanitary engineers, and architects are scheduled this month.

The examination for medical technologists was scheduled for Jan. 21 to 22, while that for sanitary engineers is set from Jan. 25 to 27.

Aspiring architects are scheduled to take their licensure examination on Jan. 29 and 31.

Licensure examinations for veterinarians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, real estate consultants, geologists, master plumbers, psychologists, mechanical engineers, and certified plant mechanics will be in February.

Meanwhile, the licensure examinations for foreign medical professionals, physicians, respiratory therapists, medical technologists, optometrists, ocular pharmacologists, and professional teachers will be in March.

Last year, the PRC postponed licensure examinations because of the pandemic.

In December last year, Iligan Rep. Frederick Siao called for the resumption of board examinations to avoid manpower shortages amid the Covid19 crisis.