It’s my fault really why I renewed my nursing license late (as in super late, like several years late). And even though PRC is just one jeepney ride away from our place, I opted to renew my license in Manila.

So there I was, so early in the morning, making my way towards PRC Manila when all of a sudden I caught sight of a very long, non-moving queue outside the gates of PRC, curving to the side of a fast food establishment. It was THAT long.

I was disheartened when I saw the line. I even chastised myself with “Why oh why didn’t I just renew my license back home!”

But fear not, fellow Earthlings! Do not be deceived by what you will see. Renewing your license is as easy as 1, 2, 3. And the best part? You could receive your renewed license card on the same day!

So here’s what you need to prepare:

1. Passport size colored picture in white background with name tag. You will be asked for only one picture, but bring at least two with you.
2. Your old license card. At PRC’s website, they require for a photocopy of our license, but when I arrived there, they only asked for my original license card.
3. Accomplished renewal form. I got mine downloaded from their site. But when I arrived at their gate, you can ask the lady guard stationed near the gate for a renewal form. It would be best for you to just ask the security guard for the form rather than downloading it from their site. The one I downloaded was an A4 size form. On the other hand, the one the lady guard gave me was only a small slip of paper.
4. Fee of 450 pesos. Mine was several years late (hahaha!) so I needed to pay additional fee for it, but the amount was still within reasonable price.
5. Patience. Patience is a virtue.

What to do (based on my experience):

1. You must be at PRC as early as 7:00 AM, and I promise you, you won’t regret waking up in the wee hours of the morning. Once you’re there, fall in line and wait for the gate to be open at around 7:15-7:30 AM.
2. Once inside, ask guard for a renewal form, then proceed to the building at the far left. It had been a long time since the last I had visited PRC in Manila, so I didn’t know my way around inside. Don’t fret when you see a long line just parallel to the entrance–that’s not your line. Proceed to the building at your far left.
3. Fill up your form and sit down. Several chairs are placed in front of windows 16, 17, 18. Do not sit anywhere–occupy the vacant chair near the windows 17 and 18. That will be your line. It would have been better if there was an indicator with regards to the flow of the line. Since there was none, people sat down anywhere, on any chair available because no one knew where the line will start!
4. At 7:30 AM, a lady opened window 17, then informed us how the line will go. Present your accomplished form along with your license card. Then find a comfortable place to stay and wait for your name to be called. I settled near the AC, trust me, that will be the best place to stay, LOL.
5. At around 08:30, they began calling our names. When your name is called, proceed to window 17 (sometimes at window 18) to get your form and proceed to the cashier. You can pay at any cashier available (windows 34 and 35 will be nearest to you).
6. After paying the fee, proceed to window 36 and submit your receipt and form. Wait for your name to be called.
7. Once your name is called, proceed to window 37 (or any realeasing window they will be using that day). Depending on how many applicants are present, or how early you arrived at PRC, you will immediately receive your renewed license card. I got mine at 9:00 AM. Awesome!

So that’ts it! I arrived there at 07:15 AM, got my card at 09:AM. Not bad, right? Compared to having to wait for a week (or months, God forbid) for your card. If in doubt, you can check their humongous bulletin board and flow chart for the renewal process.