Lost Professional Identification Card (PIC) Replacement
Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) Procedures, Legal Bases & Practical Guidance
1. Why the PRC ID Matters
The PRC Professional Identification Card (PIC) is the primary proof that a Filipino professional is duly registered and licensed under Republic Act No. 8981, “PRC Modernization Act of 2000.” It is often a pre-requisite for employment, government procurement, professional practice, and continuing professional development (CPD) accreditation. Losing it therefore creates both legal and practical risks—e.g., possible violation of sector-specific licensing laws, delayed salary processing, or inability to sign plans and pleadings—making timely replacement essential.
2. Legal Framework
| Instrument | Key Provisions Relevant to Lost-ID Replacement |
|---|---|
| RA 8981 (PRC Modernization Act) | §7(j) authorises PRC to issue, suspend, revoke or replace professional IDs. |
| PRC Resolution No. 2005-213 (as amended) | Sets standardized fees for duplicate PICs and defines “duplicate” as replacement of a still-valid ID lost/damaged before expiry. |
| RA 11032 (Ease of Doing Business & Anti-Red Tape Act) | Commands all government offices to publish clear procedures, documentary requirements and turnaround times; PRC’s Citizen’s Charter now lists a 120-minute service standard for duplicate cards. |
| RA 10173 (Data Privacy Act) | Affidavit, police blotter and online uploads contain personal data; PRC must process these in accordance with the Act and its IRR. |
Note: PRC frequently updates its internal Memorandum Orders; always check the latest Citizen’s Charter matrix attached to the service windows or on online.prc.gov.ph before filing.
3. Who May Apply for a Duplicate
- Registered professionals whose PIC is still valid on the date of loss (if the ID is already expired you must file for renewal, not duplicate).
- Authorized representatives with Special Power of Attorney (SPA) & two valid government IDs (one of the attorney-in-fact, one of the professional).
- Multiple-board passers: only one PIC exists covering all boards; replacement follows duplicate rules regardless of how many professions appear on the face of the card.
4. Pre-Application Checklist
| Requirement | Details & Tips |
|---|---|
| 1. Notarized Affidavit of Loss | Must narrate (a) date/place of loss; (b) circumstances (e.g., “wallet stolen aboard MRT”); (c) undertaking to surrender original if found. Attach photocopy of any govt ID. |
| 2. Police Report / Barangay Blotter | Optional but often requested by regional offices; safer to bring one. |
| 3. Two identical passport-size photos | White background, name tag, taken within six months. |
| 4. Online Appointment & e-Payment Receipt | Through LERIS (Licensure Examination & Registration Information System) at online.prc.gov.ph. |
| 5. CPD Compliance Proof (if PIC already lapsed on validity date) | Only if you decide to renew instead of duplicate; CPD compliance currently optional for renewal until 31 Dec 2025 pursuant to PRC Resolution No. 1240-2024. |
| 6. Government-issued ID | For identity verification at the window (PhilSys, Passport, Driver’s License, etc.). |
5. Step-by-Step Procedure
Create / Log In to LERIS.
- Navigate to “Selected Transaction → DUPLICATE PIC.”
- Select profession and confirm that the current PIC is lost/damaged but not expired.
Choose Appointment Slot.
- Earliest slots can be within 1-3 working days in NCR; provincial offices vary.
- Print or save the PDF appointment slip.
Pay the Prescribed Fee.
- Base Fee: ₱250 (duplicate)
- PIC ID card cost: ₱150
- Legal Research Fund (if required): ₱10
- Documentary Stamp Tax: ₱30 (varies if DST already embedded in e-receipt)
- Online service charge: ₱10-₱50 depending on payment channel (PayMaya, GCASH, LandBank, Debit/Credit card).
Personal Appearance / Biometrics.
- Arrive 15 min before schedule with original hard-copy documents and payment receipt.
- Window clerk checks affidavit, photo, and captures signature.
- Tip: dress in decent attire (strictly no sleeveless shirts, shorts, slippers inside PRC premises).
ID Card Printing & Release.
- Within Metro Manila satellite offices (Robinsons Galleria, PICC, etc.) release is often “same day, after 2 hours.”
- In regional offices, release ranges from half-day to 3 working days, depending on card-printing queuing.
- Claim stub indicates exact pick-up time; authorized representative may claim with SPA.
Update e-Certificate of Registration (if lost as well).
- Duplicate COR is a separate transaction (₱200) and can be filed concurrently.
6. Frequently-Overlooked Issues
| Scenario | What To Do |
|---|---|
| Lost while abroad | Execute affidavit of loss before Philippine Embassy/Consulate; appoint SPA in the Philippines; mail original docs. Replacement may be claimed by SPA then mailed back. |
| Name change due to marriage/RA 11956 gender recognition | File Petition for Change of Name before duplicate-PIC application; otherwise, replacement card will still bear old name. |
| PIC lost & already expired | Select RENEWAL in LERIS instead; pay renewal fee (₱460/₱710) + duplicate card is no longer necessary as renewal includes new ID. |
| Damaged but readable PIC | PRC sometimes collects the damaged card for disposal; treat as “duplicate” not “renewal.” |
| Lost within 30 days after issuance | No fee discount; standard duplicate fees apply. |
| Outstanding administrative case | System will block transaction; settle or obtain clearance from Legal Division first. |
7. Penalties & Liabilities
- Perjury / False Statements in the affidavit may trigger administrative complaint under PRC Rules on Administrative Investigations and Art. 183 Revised Penal Code (False testimony).
- Misuse of Found PIC is punishable under Art. 308 (2) RPC (theft) and sector-specific Codes of Professional Ethics.
- Failure to present a valid PIC when required by law (e.g., architects signing plans, engineers supervising sites) may expose professional to fines or suspension by respective Professional Regulatory Board.
8. Timelines & Service Standards (as of 18 June 2025)
| Stage | PRC Committed Processing Time (Citizen’s Charter) | Real-world Average |
|---|---|---|
| Window evaluation & payment validation | 15 min | 10 min |
| Data capture & card printing | 60 min | 45 min |
| Releasing | 30 min | 15 min |
Total 2 hours maximum under RA 11032. Queuing time outside the transaction is excluded.
9. Practical Tips for a Smooth Transaction
- Draft the affidavit clearly—vague “I lost it somewhere” statements cause clerks to demand clarifications.
- Upload a high-resolution 2 × 2 photo in LERIS before arriving; on-site photo booths are pricier.
- Monitor e-mail & SMS—PRC sometimes reschedules slots due to system maintenance.
- Bring exact change for DST if you opt to pay it on-site; the cashier rarely has small bills.
- Keep soft-copy scans of your new PIC in encrypted storage for faster duplicate filings in the future.
10. Conclusion & Disclaimer
Replacing a lost PRC PIC is straightforward provided that you (1) prepare the affidavit correctly, (2) secure an online appointment, and (3) pay the statutory fees. The entire process is grounded on RA 8981 and harmonised with the Anti-Red Tape Act, giving professionals a predictable two-hour window from document submission to card release. Nonetheless, internal PRC guidelines evolve; always cross-check the current Citizen’s Charter or advisory on online.prc.gov.ph before acting. This article is accurate as of June 18, 2025 and is intended for general informational and compliance purposes; it does not constitute formal legal advice.