Renewing a Lost PRC Professional License in the Philippines

Everything a Filipino professional needs to know as of 3 August 2025

1. Legal Foundations

Reference	Key Provisions Relevant to Lost/Expired Licenses
Republic Act No. 8981 (PRC Modernization Act of 2000)	Empowers the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to issue, renew, replace, suspend, or revoke Professional Identification Cards (PICs).
PRC Resolution No. 2016-990 (Modernized Renewal Guidelines)	Introduced the online Licensure Examination and Registration Information System (LERIS) and clarified renewal periods, fees, and CPD compliance.
PRC Resolution No. 2023-1799 (CPD Transition)	Keeps the CPD requirement at 15 credit units per three-year cycle for most professions and allows a CPD Undertaking if units are incomplete on renewal. Expires 31 December 2025.
Rule XI, §26, 2021 IRR of RA 8981	Treats a lost PIC whose validity has lapsed as a renewal; if still valid, it is a duplicate/replacement.
Article 183, Revised Penal Code	Affidavits of Loss containing false statements constitute perjury.

2. When Is It a Renewal versus a Duplicate?

Scenario	Correct PRC Service
PIC lost but expiry date has not yet lapsed	“Replacement of Lost Professional ID” (duplicate)
PIC lost and already expired or expiring within 1 year	“Renewal of Professional ID” (renewal)

Remember: a professional ID card (PIC) remains valid for three (3) years from the licensee’s birth-month. PRC allows advance renewal up to 365 days before the expiry date.

3. Core Documentary Requirements

Duly accomplished PRC Renewal Application (generated via LERIS).
One (1) passport-size photo, plain white background, name tag in format Lastname, Firstname, Middle Initial.
Affidavit of Loss (notarized) that details circumstances, PIC number if known, and undertaking to surrender the old card if found.
Any government-issued ID (or PSA-certified Birth Certificate if no ID).
Proof of CPD compliance or CPD Undertaking Form (see § 6).
Official payment receipt (printed via LERIS or e-payment partner).
If filed through a representative:
- Special Power of Attorney (SPA) or PRC Authorization Letter.
- Representative’s own valid ID (original & photocopy).

(Police or barangay blotter is no longer mandatory unless PRC regional office specifically requests it for suspected fraud.)

4. Step-by-Step Procedure (Online–Assisted)

Create / Log-in to https://online.prc.gov.ph.
Encode personal data; upload compliant photo (JPEG, ≤240 kB).
Select Transaction → Duplicate or Renewal as applicable.
Book an appointment at preferred PRC Service Center or Robinsons-Malls One-Stop Shop.
- Tip: Slots open 7 AM Mondays and fill within minutes in Metro Manila.
Choose a payment channel (Over-the-Counter, GCash, PayMaya, Credit/Debit).
Print:
- Application Form (with OR/transaction number).
- Request for Duplicate/Renewal Slip.
Visit the PRC office on appointment date:
- Present Affidavit of Loss & valid ID at Expression of Interest counter.
- Biometrics capture (fingerprints & digital signature).
- Receive Claim Stub indicating release date/time.
Claiming the PIC:
- Same day for most satellite centers; 3–5 working days for high-volume professions or regional offices.
- Verify name, license number, and expiration before leaving.

5. Fees and Surcharges (2025 Schedule)

Item	Amount
Renewal fee (Annually)	₱ 150
Standard PIC validity	3 years
Typical Renewal Cost	₱ 450
Duplicate / Replacement	₱ 200
Surcharge for expired licenses	₱ 30 per year of delay (counted from the day after expiry)
Convenience / e-payment fee	₱ 50 – 80 (channel-dependent)

Senior citizens and PWDs are entitled to a 20 % discount on government fees (RA 9994 & RA 10754). Present OSCA/PWD ID at cashier to have it reflected; online payments auto-compute the discount once the ID is declared in the profile.

6. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Rules

Status on Appointment Date	Compliance Route
≥ 15 CPD units earned	Upload certificates → proceed as normal.
< 15 CPD units (or zero)	Submit CPD Undertaking Form (automatic in LERIS). You must complete the balance within the next renewal cycle or before 31 Dec 2025, whichever comes first. Non-compliance may bar the next renewal.

Professions with self-directed CPD (e.g., lawyers, physicians) follow their respective PRBs’ circulars. Nurses still observe 15 units but may claim up to 10 units via professional work credit.

7. Special Situations

Situation	Additional Notes
Professionals Overseas	You may authorize a Philippine-based representative by SPA or visit a PRC Mobile-Outreach mission conducted by Philippine Embassies/POLO. Online LERIS still required for appointment creation.
Multiple Lost IDs	PRC flags accounts with > 2 lost-card incidents; you may be required to appear before the Professional Regulatory Board for verification.
Name Change (e.g., Marriage)	Combine renewal with Petition for Change of Name (PRC Form 21), requiring PSA Marriage Certificate and Board Resolution fee ₱ 225.
Upgrading to Digitized PIC	All duplicate/renewal cards issued since 2024 already carry an embedded QR code and tamper-evident seal; older designs are automatically replaced.
Found Old Card After Replacement	Surrender it to PRC within 15 days; destroying/using the obsolete card is punishable under RA 8981 § 7(j).

8. Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

Late Affidavit Details – Omitting the lost PIC number delays verification. Retrieve it via LERIS Profile → Existing Transaction History.
Wrong Photo Format – Size, background color, or attire non-compliance triggers rejection. Use studios advertising “PRC ID photos”.
Incomplete CPD Uploads – Upload each certificate in PDF/JPEG; merge multi-page proofs.
Missed Appointment Window – Arrive 30 minutes before or lose slot; re-booking costs another e-payment fee.
Unverified Representative – SPA must be notarized and include photocopies of both IDs; digital signatures are accepted only if notarization is e-Notary-compliant.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer (2025)
Can I still renew if my license expired 10 years ago and is lost?	Yes. Pay back-surcharges (₱ 30 × 10 = ₱ 300) plus renewal fee (₱ 450) and replacement fee (₱ 200). If your profession has special retooling (e.g., Real Estate Appraisers), PRB may require refresher course.
Is the Police Report mandatory?	Generally no, unless your PRC record shows possible misuse (e.g., identity theft reports). The Affidavit of Loss suffices.
Can I expedite processing?	Express lanes are limited to OFWs, senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant women, and on-duty uniformed personnel (RA 11032 Ease of Doing Business). Otherwise follow regular queue.
What if I have pending administrative case?	Renewal proceeds, but the released PIC is “subject to the outcome of the case”. A guilty decision may lead to suspension even if PIC is already in hand.

10. Best Practices

Draft your Affidavit of Loss immediately – include date, place, and detailed measures taken to locate the card.
Book at least two months ahead if your birth-month falls in April to June (peak season for board-exam passers).
Monitor PRC social feeds (@PRCMainCentral) a week before your appointment for holiday or system downtime advisories.
Keep digital copies of all CPD certificates—PRC periodically purges uploads to conserve server space.
Enroll in e-Wallet auto-debit—failed payment attempts lock your slot; auto-debit retries within 30 minutes.

11. Conclusion & Disclaimer

Renewing a lost Professional Identification Card is straightforward once you secure three essentials: an accurate Affidavit of Loss, a confirmed LERIS appointment, and compliance (or undertaking) with CPD. Always cross-check fee schedules and CPD rules with the latest PRC issuances; while this article reflects regulations current to 3 August 2025, amendments can be released without prior public hearing. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. For case-specific concerns, consult your Professional Regulatory Board or a licensed Philippine lawyer.