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Key Facts: PRC Social Worker Exam

5 subjects

each weighted 20% and containing 100 scored items

PRC Enhanced Tables of Specifications and 2026 Exam Program

3 days

duration of the written board examination

PRC Social Worker Exam Program

70%

minimum general average required to pass the exam

RA 4373 / Board Guidelines

50%

minimum rating required in any single subject to avoid failing

RA 4373 / Board Guidelines

1,000 hrs

minimum supervised field instruction required to sit for the exam

RA 10847 amending RA 4373

76.02%

recent passing rate in the September 2025 board exam

PRC Official Results

The SWLE is a 3-day, 500-item board exam covering five equally weighted subjects, with a required 70% general average and a 50% minimum in every subject. Candidates apply online through PRC LERIS.

Sample PRC Social Worker Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the PRC Social Worker exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 140+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, what is the primary developmental crisis faced by individuals during adolescence (ages 12 to 18)?
A.Trust vs. Mistrust
B.Identity vs. Role Confusion
C.Intimacy vs. Isolation
D.Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Explanation: Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development is Identity vs. Role Confusion, occurring during adolescence. Individuals explore their independence, values, and vocational roles to form a coherent self-identity. Failure to navigate this stage successfully leads to role confusion, an unstable self-concept, and difficulty committing to long-term goals or relationships.
2A child in Jean Piaget's preoperational stage of cognitive development insists that a teddy bear is crying and feels lonely because it was left in the dark. Which cognitive characteristic is this child exhibiting?
A.Egocentrism
B.Conservation
C.Animism
D.Reversibility
Explanation: Animism is the cognitive characteristic of attributing lifelike qualities, feelings, and intentions to inanimate objects. It is a key trait of the preoperational stage (ages 2 to 7) in Piaget's cognitive development theory, as children's reasoning is based on subjective associations rather than logical operations.
3In Sigmund Freud's psychosexual stages of development, during which stage does the child experience the Oedipus or Electra complex, resulting in identification with the same-sex parent?
A.Oral stage
B.Anal stage
C.Phallic stage
D.Latency stage
Explanation: The Oedipus complex (for boys) and Electra complex (for girls) occur during the phallic stage of psychosexual development, which typically spans ages 3 to 6. During this stage, the child's sexual energy is focused on the genitals, leading to unconscious desire for the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent. Resolution is achieved when the child identifies with the same-sex parent, leading to superego development.
4Under Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development, an individual who makes moral decisions based on self-chosen ethical principles that place human rights above written laws operates at which level?
A.Pre-conventional morality
B.Conventional morality
C.Post-conventional morality
D.Sub-conventional morality
Explanation: Post-conventional morality (Level III) is characterized by an individual's adherence to universal ethical principles, justice, and human rights, which transcend social rules and written laws. Individuals at this level recognize that laws are social contracts that should be changed if they violate basic human dignity and universal moral rights.
5In Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, the relationship between a child's home (parents) and their school (teachers) represents which system level?
A.Microsystem
B.Mesosystem
C.Exosystem
D.Macrosystem
Explanation: The mesosystem comprises the linkages and interactions between two or more settings in which the developing person actively participates (e.g., the relationship between parents and school teachers). It is a system of microsystems, meaning it reflects how the different immediate environments of an individual influence each other.
6Which of the following describes the highest level of need in Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, representing the realization of a person's full potential and self-fulfillment?
A.Esteem needs
B.Belongingness and love needs
C.Safety needs
D.Self-actualization
Explanation: Self-actualization is the highest level of Maslow's hierarchy. It represents the desire for self-fulfillment, personal growth, and realizing one's maximum potential. According to Maslow, this need can only be pursued after basic physiological, safety, social, and esteem needs are reasonably met.
7In classical conditioning experiments by Ivan Pavlov, when a bell is rung repeatedly prior to presenting food until the bell alone elicits salivation, the bell becomes the:
A.Unconditioned stimulus
B.Unconditioned response
C.Conditioned stimulus
D.Conditioned response
Explanation: The conditioned stimulus (CS) is a previously neutral stimulus (the bell) that, after being associated with the unconditioned stimulus (food), eventually triggers a conditioned response (salivation). Classical conditioning is a learning process based on association.
8According to Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory, the belief in one's own capability to organize and execute the courses of action required to manage prospective situations is known as:
A.Self-esteem
B.Self-efficacy
C.Self-actualization
D.Self-concept
Explanation: Self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. Bandura identified self-efficacy as a core mechanism of human agency that influences people's choices, motivation, resilience, and emotional reactions.
9In operant conditioning (B.F. Skinner), taking away an unpleasant stimulus (such as a loud noise or chores) in order to increase the likelihood of a desired behavior is called:
A.Positive reinforcement
B.Negative reinforcement
C.Positive punishment
D.Negative punishment
Explanation: Negative reinforcement involves the removal of an aversive (unpleasant) stimulus after a behavior is performed, which strengthens or increases the frequency of that behavior. Both positive and negative reinforcements increase behavior, whereas punishments decrease behavior.
10In family systems theory, the mechanism by which a family system attempts to maintain internal stability and resist structural changes in response to external stress is known as:
A.Entropy
B.Homeostasis
C.Equifinality
D.Morphogenesis
Explanation: Homeostasis refers to the tendency of a system (such as a family) to maintain internal stability, balance, and equilibrium. Feedback loops are used to correct deviations and resist change to keep the system functioning within its established rules and patterns.

About the PRC Social Worker Exam

The PRC Licensure Examination for Social Workers is the official licensing exam for social workers in the Philippines, regulated by RA 4373 as amended by RA 10847. The current examination has five equally weighted subjects and 500 scored items over three days. Candidates must earn a general average of at least 70% with no subject score lower than 50%.

Exam sponsor: Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Five written subjects, each weighted 20%: Human Behavior and Social Environment; Social Welfare Policies, Programs, and Services; Social Work Practice I with Field Instruction I; Social Work Methods II (Working with Groups); and Social Work Practice III with Field Instruction III (Communities).

Time Limit

20 testing hours over 3 days (4 hours per subject)

Passing Score

General average of at least 70% with no subject rating below 50% (RA 4373 Section 14, unamended by RA 10847)

Exam / Certification Fees

PHP 900.00

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 76.02% for September 2025. PRC announced that 7,334 out of 9,647 examinees passed the September 2025 regular Licensure Examination for Social Workers. This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

20%

Human Behavior and Social Environment

The person-in-environment configuration, biological, psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual developmental stages, personality theories, Filipino family structures, gender issues, and social processes in groups and communities.

20%

Social Welfare Policies, Programs, and Services

History, philosophy, values, and ethics of social work, the Philippine Social Work Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards (2023), social welfare administration, research methodology, social policy formulation, and key social security/social welfare programs.

20%

Social Work Practice I with Field Instruction I

Practice with individuals and families, including assessment, helping relationships, intervention, documentation, supervision, and field application.

20%

Social Work Methods II (Working with Groups)

Group-work foundations, group formation and development, program media, mutual aid, implementation, evaluation, and termination.

20%

Social Work Practice III with Field Instruction III (Communities)

Community practice and field instruction, including integration, social preparation, organization, mobilization, leadership, networking, evaluation, and phase-out.

Preparing for the PRC Social Worker Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: General average of at least 70% with no subject rating below 50% (RA 4373 Section 14, unamended by RA 10847)
  • Assessment: Five written subjects, each weighted 20%: Human Behavior and Social Environment; Social Welfare Policies, Programs, and Services; Social Work Practice I with Field Instruction I; Social Work Methods II (Working with Groups); and Social Work Practice III with Field Instruction III (Communities).
  • Time limit: 20 testing hours over 3 days (4 hours per subject)
  • Exam / certification fees: PHP 900.00 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 140 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

PRC Social Worker: Suggested Study Strategy

1Dedicate study time proportionally: spend 60% of your review on Social Work Practice and Field Instruction since they account for 60% of the exam.
2Memorize key Philippine social welfare laws, such as RA 7610 (Child Abuse), RA 9262 (VAWC), RA 9344 (Juvenile Justice), and RA 11642 (Administrative Adoption).
3Study the stages of the helping process in order: Intake, Study, Diagnosis/Assessment, Treatment/Intervention Plan, Evaluation, and Termination.
4Learn the ten core values of the Philippine Social Work Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards (PRC Board Resolution No. 05, s. 2023) as the Code itself names them, including resilience, spirituality and use of technology, and be ready to apply them to situational case studies.
5Review the primary social work methods: casework (individual focus), group work (group stages and dynamics), and community organization (COPAR steps).
6Learn the core developmental theories (Erikson's psychosocial stages, Piaget's cognitive stages, and Freud's psychosexual stages) as they are heavily tested in HBSE.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official scope of the PRC Social Worker Board Exam?

The current exam has five subjects across three days, each weighted 20%: Human Behavior and Social Environment; Social Welfare Policies, Programs, and Services; Social Work Practice I with Field Instruction I; Social Work Methods II (Working with Groups); and Social Work Practice III with Field Instruction III (Communities).

What is the passing score for the Social Worker Licensure Examination?

To pass, you must obtain a general average rating of at least 70%, with no rating falling below 50% in any subject.

Which laws govern the practice of Social Work in the Philippines?

The social work profession is regulated by Republic Act No. 4373 (passed in 1965), which was amended by Republic Act No. 10847 in 2016 to upgrade the qualifications, registration, and licensure of social workers.

What are the eligibility requirements for the SWLE?

Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) or a master's degree in social work degree, have completed 1,000 hours of supervised field instruction, be a Filipino citizen (or qualify under reciprocity), and submit standard clearances (NBI, birth certificate, etc.).

How often is the Board Exam for Social Workers held?

The examination is typically administered once a year, usually in September, by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in various testing centers nationwide.

What is the required field instruction hour requirement?

Candidates must have completed at least 1,000 hours of supervised field instruction in social work agencies or communities as part of their BSSW curriculum, which must be signed by the Agency Field Supervisor (or the Faculty Supervisor if the agency supervisor is unavailable or unlicensed) and further certified by the Field Instruction Coordinator or Head of the Social Work Program, who must hold an updated PRC Professional Identification Card (Board Resolution No. 03, s. 2022).