Do you want to become a Filipino Environmental Planner?
Then you must pass the Environmental Planning Board Exam!
Here are the answers to the most searched questions about the Environmental Planning Board Exam!
- Overview of the Environmental Planning Board Exam
- Important Dates to Remember about the Environmental Planning Board Exam
- Academic Requirements for Taking the Environmental Planning (EnP) Board Exam
- Notes for Retakers of the Environmental Planning Board Exam
- Universities and Colleges that Offer Planning Courses to be Eligible for the Environmental Planning Board Exam
- Procedure for Application to take the EnP Board Exam
- Tips for Passing the Environmental Planning Board Exam
- Read next!
- Why a Review Plan is Important (Plus Examples)
- Are you ready?
- More References and Links for the EnP Board Exam
- Read next!
Overview of the Environmental Planning Board Exam
The Environmental Planning Act of 2013 requires that aspiring environmental planners pass the Environmental Planning Board Exam before registering as licensed environmental planners.
Starting with the 2021 Environmental Planning Board Exam, only holders of environmental planning degrees can take the board exam (see Academic Requirements section).
The Environmental Planning Board Exam generally covers three subject areas, which “may be revised as the need arises (Section 17, RA 10587):”
- History, concepts, theories and principles of environmental planning;
- Environmental planning process, methods/techniques and strategies; and
- Environmental plan implementation, legal aspects and administration.
Successful self-review increases your ability to pass the exam!
Important Dates to Remember about the Environmental Planning Board Exam
Update (08/02/20): The 2021 Environmental Planning Board Exam is scheduled on July 27 and 28, 2021, according to UPLB-DCERP.
| Exam Dates | July 27 and 28, 2021 |
| Opening of Online Processing | No date yet |
| Deadline in Filing | No date yet |
Visit the PRC website for more updates.
Academic Requirements for Taking the Environmental Planning (EnP) Board Exam
Aspiring examinees of the EnP Board Exam starting 2020 2021 are required to have at least a One-Year Post-Graduate Diploma Course in Environmental Planning.
Become a Filipino Environmental Planner!
This is aligned with Section 18 of RA 10587, the Environmental Planning Act of 2013.
RA 10587 mandated the acceptance of non-holders of planning degrees to take the EnP Board Exam until October 2, 2019 only (as reinforced by PRBEP Resolution 1, s. 2019). These include:
- (1) graduates of allied disciplines with specific years of on-the-job training a five-year period, and,
- (2) incumbent holders of planning positions,
Effective after October 2, 2019, only holders of “the following degrees from schools, colleges or universities duly recognized and accredited by the CHED ” can apply for the Environmental Planning board exam.
(1) A graduate in environmental planning, urban/city and regional planning, or town and country planning or its equivalent;
(2) A Post-Graduate Diploma in Environmental Planning, city and regional planning or its equivalent, and with at least one (1) year of on-the-job training as required herein;
(3) A Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning, city planning or urban and regional planning, or town and country planning, or its equivalent, and with two (2) years of on-the-job training as required herein;
Section 18 (b) of RA 10587
Notes for Retakers of the Environmental Planning Board Exam
Bottomline: As of September 2020, no retakers without planning degrees can apply for the 2021 Environmental Planning Board Exam (and beyond).
In a letter dated 9 August 2019 posted on the private group Environmental Planner.PH, the PRC Board of Environmental Planning stated its implementation of Section 18.
In the letter, the Board expresses that while it “sympathize(s) with all the concerned examinees, (the Board is) constrained by laws and PRC policies.”
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A position paper submitted 11 September 2019 by petitioners Rodrigo Martin and Rochel Gerance seeks that the PRC allow unsuccessful examinees of the 2019 EnP Board Exam to retake the 2020 EnP Board Exam.
In short, unless the PRC commissioners concur with the petitioners, the Environmental Planning Board Exam can only be taken by holders of planning degrees (see previous section on Academic Requirements).
Update (06/17/20): The petition to allow unsuccessful examinees of the 2019 EnP Board Exam to retake the 2020 EnP Board Exam has been DENIED.
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Become a Filipino Environmental Planner!
Universities and Colleges that Offer Planning Courses to be Eligible for the Environmental Planning Board Exam
The Department of Community and Environmental Resource Planning of UP Los Banos shares a list of college and universities that offer courses on environmental planning that can qualify for taking the Environmental Planning Board Exam.
Updated list!
Posted by Department of Community and Environmental Resource Planning on Monday, November 4, 2019
Using their list as a basis, here are universities and colleges in the Philippines that offer courses for the Environmental Planning Board Exam.
- UP DILIMAN
- UP LOS BANOS
- UP MINDANAO (DAVAO CITY)
- UP OPEN UNIVERSITY
- UP VISAYAS (ILOILO)
- MIRIAM COLLEGE (QUEZON CITY)
- NOTRE DAME DADIANGAS UNIVERSITY (GENERAL SANTOS CITY)
- UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS (CEBU CITY)
- ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY (BAGUIO CITY)
- Update (08/2020): HOLY NAME UNIVERSITY (BOHOL) announced the Executive Diploma in Urban and Regional Development, an online Diploma program that qualifies graduates for the Environmental Planning Board Exam.
- Update (09/2020): CENTRAL LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY
In my opinion, incumbent local government planners will benefit from enrolling at the Diploma in Land Use Planning program of the UP Open University.
The DLUP program is primarily delivered online, can be completed in three semesters (with a full load of twelve units per semester), and prioritizes Local Planning and Development Coordinators.
Read next!
- How to Review for the Environmental Planning Board Exam: History, Concepts, Theories and Principles of Environmental Planning
- Lessons Learned from Taking the Environmental Planning Board Exam(Updated!)
- Taking the Environmental Planning Board Exam (Part 3): The Exam Days
EnP Cuyco details his experience in completing the DLUP program.
The “Urban Planning Workshop” course of the program may be the only concern for local government planners, as it “involves face-to-face meetings.”
Increase your urban planning knowledge by following these sites!
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Become a Filipino Environmental Planner!
Procedure for Application to take the EnP Board Exam
Update (08/02/20): The 2021 Environmental Planning Board Exam is scheduled on July 27 and 28, 2021, according to UPLB-DCERP.
Begin your application through the PRC Licensure Examination and Registration Information System (https://online.prc.gov.ph/)..
The PRC website also lists the requirements for application. For Filipino applicants, I duplicate the list below.
- NSO / PSA Birth Certificate
- NSO / PSA Marriage Contract (for married female applicants)
- Transcript of Records with scanned picture and Remarks “For Board Examination Purposes” (First Timer & Repeater)
- College Diploma
- Valid NBI Clearance (First Timers & Repeaters)
- One (1) Certificate of Good Moral Character from any of the following: Barangay, Church, School, Employer
- OJT Certificate or in Service-Training signed by the applicant’s immediate supervisor
- Certificate of Professional Civil Service Eligibility (for incumbent government planners only)
- Payment of P900.00
A tricky requirement is the OJT Certificate, which some applicants deem as necessarily “under a registered and licensed environmental planner.”
It should be noted that the latter part states “or the applicant’s immediate supervisor in an agency or organization acceptable to the Board, which is engaged or involved in environmental planning functions or programs.“
In short, the signatory of the OJT Certificate is not necessarily a licensed environmental planner, but can be your immediate supervisor, as long as your organization is acceptable to the PRC Board of Environmental Planning.
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Tips for Passing the Environmental Planning Board Exam
Lets’s begin with the end in mind!
You take the exam to pass it and become a Licensed Environmental Planner!
I already have three posts that discuss my 2018 Environmental Planning Board Exam experience, but I know how much passing means to you, so I will add some more tips!
Passing the EnP board exam becomes especially critical for local government officials and employees.
Those in positions relevant to planning local governments will have their “appointments…considered null and void” if they are not registered and licensed environmental planners.
Read: What the Dream EDSAs of Urban Planners and Architects Look Like
This is unless they have been appointed as heads of local planning offices on permanent status before the enactment of the law, as per CSC MC No. 10 s. 2017.
Section 17 of RA 10587 states that the EnP board exam shall include, but not be limited to:
- History, concepts, theories and principles of environmental planning;
- Environmental planning process, methods/techniques and strategies; and
- Environmental plan implementation, legal aspects and administration
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Read next!
- How to Review for the Environmental Planning Board Exam: History, Concepts, Theories and Principles of Environmental Planning
- What You Need to Know about the Philippines Environmental Planning (EnP) Board Exam (August 2020 Update!)
- Tips and Resources for Passing the Environmental Planning Board Exam (Updated!)
According to Section 16 of RA 10587, to pass the exam, you must “obtain a weighted average of not less than seventy per centum (70%) and a rating of not less than fifty per centum (50%) in any examination subject.”
Translation: Passing the EnP Board Exam is not just about knowing theory of environmental planning or about being in the local government for a number of years.
Successful self-review increases your ability to pass the exam!
The second part of the statement, “a rating of not less than 50% in any examination subject,” can be a kicker for you if your review focused on only one subject area.
Environmental planners are expected to be generalists, able to facilitate coordination among sectors of society, so the EnP Board Exam covers a wide range of subject areas.
Many planners are generalists, with a broad range of knowledge about the impacts of physical development. Good planning involves a great deal of coordination among experts from various fields and agencies. Generalist planners help to facilitate this coordination.
University of Memphis
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Section 17 continues that ” subject areas and syllabi may be revised as the need arises to conform to changes and new developments brought about by trends in the practice of environmental planning.”
One of my regrets when I took the 2018 EnP board exam was focusing on piecemeal planning guides and laws.
Give the DILG Website a visit for all primary references in local planning and implementation, including the following “Planning Bibles“.
- The Local Government Code of 1991 and its IRR
- Rationalizing the Planning System Sourcebook
- The Comprehensive Land Use Planning Guidebooks
Read: Frequently Asked Questions about Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUP) in the Philippines
The holy grail of tips and resources for the Environmental Planning Board Exam is EnP Jean Palma’s website.
I also include the website in my own list of tips and resources for taking the EnP Board Exam.
Many EnP Board Exam review centers also host Facebook groups. I list a few groups where I am a member below.
- Environmental Planning (EnP) Board Exam
- Environmental Planner Review.Ph
- 2018 Environmental Planners
- PRC ENP RA10587 Batch 2014-2019plus ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER reviewee BATCH
I also found the EnP Environmental Planner Ultimate Review app on Google Play, which has a rating of 4.7 in 74 reviews and was updated on 5 June 2019.
Why a Review Plan is Important (Plus Examples)
Your review will be more advantageous with a review plan visible in your study area.
In making your review plan, the first step is to read your exam permit for any updates on subject areas.
It is also important to allot much time in reviewing the fundamental references, and then work your way towards updates, amendments and specialized questions.
Read: Review for Exams with Less Stress by Following these 6 Easy Steps
EnP Rodel Cuyco shares his one-year review plan for passing the 2017 EnP Board Exam.
I also constructed a review plan template to help you have a successful self- review!
Of course, reviewing subject matter is only part of preparation for the EnP Board Exam.
You may be in an office job for long!
If this is the case, allot days in your review plan for training in answering exams, particularly multiple choice questions.
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This Technique will Jumpstart your Successful Self-Review!
Are you ready?
The EnP Board Exam requires higher academic credentials for “excellent, world-class and globally competitive (Section 2, RA 10587)” professional environmental planners.
Read: 4 Urban Planning Themes from the book Happy City!
Becoming a Licensed Environmental Planner was a dream that God granted me in 2018.
I hope you live your dream too!
- Complete an accredited course.
- Apply for the exam.
- Start reviewing, whether by yourself or in an organized review course).
- Take and pass the exam.
- Help local governments in the Philippines become sustainable.
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The days will pass quickly so act now!
Questions about environmental planning?
Successful self-review increases your ability to pass the exam!
More References and Links for the EnP Board Exam
- Republic Act 10587 (Law) (IRR)
- Department of Community and Environmental Resource Planning of UP Los Banos
- Edukasyon.ph
- PRC Licensure Examination and Registration Information System
- Frequently Asked Questions about Environmental Planning in the Philippines
Read next!
- Lessons Learned from Taking the Environmental Planning Board Exam(Updated!)
- Taking the Environmental Planning Board Exam (Part 3): The Exam Days
- Tips and Resources for Passing the Environmental Planning Board Exam (Updated!)
4 replies on “What You Need to Know about the Philippines Environmental Planning (EnP) Board Exam (August 2020 Update!)”
[…] Two years after completing my scholarship for an Environmental Science degree, I was qualified to take the Environmental Planning (EnP) Board Exam. […]
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[…] You are expected to be a generalist, so you are tested as one! […]
[…] it may be more difficult for takers of the 2019 2020 Environmental Planning Board exam. You are required to hold at least a Diploma degree in Planning, so exam questions may be […]