NLE November 2025: Record-Breaking National Passing Rate

The Professional Regulation Commission released the long-awaited results of the second-semester PNLE last November 27, and the outcome was unprecedented. This year’s November cycle achieved a 90.04% national passing rate, the highest recorded in nearly three decades. Of the 45,192 examinees who took the exam last November 4 and 5, 40,692 successfully passed, marking a 5.05% significant jump from last year’s performance.

Highest Passing Rate Since 1996

Appendix 1: PNLE Passing Rate 1996–2025

The data above highlights the NLE passing rates since 1996. This year’s second-semester exceptional result is a standout moment for the nursing community. Not only does it surpass last year’s second-semester outcome, but it also outperforms many exam cycles in the past decade. This cycle’s large volume of takers is a major contributor to this record-breaking rate, with over four times as many examinees as in the May session, reinforcing the long-observed pattern of higher turnout and stronger performance during the November cycle.

Number of NLE Takers

Appendix 2: Number of Takers Since 2021

Over the last five years, since the pandemic, the number of PNLE takers has increased each year, with the second semester consistently drawing the largest pool. The increase could be attributed to various factors, including the trend that November exams attract a larger number of graduates, particularly those who need extra time for preparation after the academic year. Additionally, there is a backlog of graduates from 2020 and early 2021, resulting from the postponement of board exams due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) reported a general increase in enrollment in nursing programs in recent years, driven by strong local and international demand for nurses, resulting in a larger cohort of eligible graduates ready to take the board exam.

Appendix 3: 2021 – 2025 Full Semesters total number of Takers and Passers

	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
TAKERS	19,574	34,362	46,567	45,650	55,962
PASSERS	11,094	25,145	36,525	37,098	47,627

From 2021 to 2025, the data shows a consistent increase in the number of passers, a positive signal for the nursing profession. These improvements coincide with several developments and interventions rolled out by government agencies and partner institutions. Below are some of the significant shifts shaping the nursing landscape this year:

Expansion of Nursing Schools and Training Capacity

Since CHED lifted its moratorium on new BS Nursing programs in 2022, the number of higher education institutions offering nursing has grown steadily. As of late 2024, nursing programs increased from 354 to 408, with more schools set to open in the coming academic years. CHED has also allowed DOH Level-2 hospitals to serve as base hospitals, significantly expanding clinical training capacity nationwide.

These developments are expected to produce around 2,052 additional nursing graduates by AY 2027–2028, supporting the growing pipeline of future PNLE examinees.

Strong Policy Push to Strengthen the Nursing Workforce

This year, the government amplified its efforts to address the country’s nursing shortage. President Marcos directed CHED to reinforce the supply of nurses and ensure that the Philippine workforce can meet both domestic and international demand. With this, the Commission proposed an intervention program in various phases to solve the shortage. 

Among the interventions is the Free Nursing Review Program for Clinical Care Associates and under-board nurses, a P25-million initiative designed to help graduates pass the licensure exam. This program is delivered in partnership with top nursing schools across the country and runs through three exam cycles. The Commission is also prioritizing underserved regions when evaluating new nursing program applications to ensure a more balanced distribution of training institutions.

Global Nursing Demand Continues to Rise

Despite global workforce gains in recent years, the WHO’s State of the World’s Nursing update (2025) indicates that many countries continue to face nursing shortages. High-income countries still heavily rely on foreign-trained nurses, and the Philippines remains one of the largest sources.

This steady demand for foreign-trained nurses pushes Philippine schools to enhance training quality and motivates students to prepare more seriously for licensure exams.

Appendix 4: Raw Data of NLE Passers and Takers from 1996 - 2025 (per semester)

The November 2025 PNLE results mark a significant moment for the nursing profession in the Philippines. The record-breaking passing rate, combined with the steady rise in takers over the past five years, shows that the country is gradually rebuilding and expanding its nursing workforce after the challenges brought by the pandemic.

These gains, however, come with responsibilities. Continued collaboration between relevant government bodies and nursing schools will be essential to maintain the quality of education, support aspiring nurses, and prepare the workforce for both local and international demands. As the healthcare landscape evolves, the strength of the nursing profession will continue to depend not only on how many graduates pass the exam, but also on how well the system supports their long-term growth and retention.

The 2025 data reflect a positive trajectory, and if these efforts remain consistent, the coming years may bring even more promising outcomes for the nursing community.

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