Nursing examinees across Central Luzon and Metro Manila had their board exam weekend upended, as the Professional Regulation Commission cancelled the August 2026 Nurses Licensure Examination in two key regions amid heavy rain and flooding brought by the Southwest Monsoon.
Why the August nursing board exam was cancelled
The Nurses Licensure Examination (NLE) originally set for Aug. 29-30 was called off in Region III, covering the San Fernando, Pampanga and Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija testing centers, after regionwide flooding. The PRC said the move followed the recommendation of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council III, citing PAGASA heavy rainfall warnings tied to the continuous downpour from the Southwest Monsoon.
In Metro Manila, the second day of the exam on Sunday, Aug. 30 was also cancelled in all testing centers over the same adverse weather. The cancellations aim to protect the safety of examinees, examination personnel and other stakeholders.
New dates for Region III and Metro Manila
Under the updated schedule, Region III examinees now sit the NLE on Sept. 11-12, while Metro Manila’s postponed second day moves to Sept. 12. Here is the adjusted timetable:
| Location | Original date | New date |
|---|---|---|
| Region III (San Fernando, Pampanga; Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija) | Aug. 29-30 | Sept. 11-12 |
| Metro Manila (all testing centers, second day) | Aug. 30 | Sept. 12 |
The disruption came as work and classes were suspended from 1 p.m. in the NCR and 16 provinces the same week, and as Habagat rain battered Luzon, flooding communities from Ilocos to Central Luzon.
What examinees should do now
Affected examinees are advised to keep monitoring the PRC official communication channels and their regional offices for specific instructions and room assignments ahead of the rescheduled dates. For a reminder on how board exam results are released and verified once they land, check our guide to checking PRC licensure exam results.
