Over 1,000 Filipinos Join SPLE; Aeronautical Engineering Included for the First Time

Abu Dhabi and Dubai, UAE — The recently concluded Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) was successfully held on June 6 - 8, 2025 in key cities across the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai), with a total of 1,029 Filipino examinees participating. The SPLE was also simultaneously conducted in other Middle Eastern countries—Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar, as well as in Asian countries like Singapore and Taiwan.

Dubai hosted the highest number of examinees at 632, while 397 took the exam in Abu Dhabi. Among the various licensure exams offered, Nursing had the greatest number of takers with 327, followed by Professional Teachers with 313.

One notable highlight of this year’s SPLE is the first-time inclusion of the Aeronautical Engineering Licensure Examination, marking a significant expansion in the scope of licensure exams available to overseas Filipino professionals.

PRC Delegation Shares Encouraging Words

Atty. Arl Ruth B. Sacay-Sabelo, Head of the Delegation Team and PRC Region 1 (Ilocos) Regional Director, led the PRC’s mission in Abu Dhabi. In her message, she emphasized the importance of bringing licensure opportunities closer to Filipinos abroad:

“Ang SPLE ay patunay ng malasakit ng pamahalaan para sa ating mga kababayang propesyonal sa ibang bansa. Hindi hadlang ang heograpikal na distansya upang makamit nila ang kanilang lisensiya at maitaas ang antas ng kanilang propesyon,” said Atty. Sacay-Sabelo.

“Tunay na inspirasyon ang ipinakita ng bawat isang examinee na kahit malayo sa pamilya at sa sariling bayan, ay patuloy pa ring nagsusumikap para sa propesyon at para sa kinabukasan,” she added.

Successful Collaboration with MWO and PPO-UAE

The SPLE was conducted in close coordination with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and the Philippine Professional Organization - UAE (PPO-UAE). The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) extended its gratitude to these partner organizations for their vital role in the seamless and orderly implementation of the exam process.

Photo Source: Philippine Professional Organization - UAE (PPO-UAE),
Raffy Reyes, TFCN Abu Dhabi, UAE