TL;DR: The electrical engineering board exam, formally the Registered Electrical Engineer (REE) Licensure Examination, is given by the PRC Board of Electrical Engineering to graduates of BS Electrical Engineering. It covers three subjects, Mathematics, Engineering Sciences and Allied Subjects, and Electrical Engineering Professional Subjects, and you need a general weighted average of 70% with no grade below 50% in any subject to pass. A related exam, the Registered Master Electrician (RME), is given on a separate track for electrical technology graduates and experienced practitioners. Always confirm current dates, fees, and requirements with PRC before applying.
Introduction
If you are finishing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, the electrical engineering board exam is the last major step before you can legally practice as a licensed electrical engineer in the Philippines. It is formally called the Registered Electrical Engineer (REE) Licensure Examination, administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) through the Board of Electrical Engineering.
There is also a related but separate exam, the Registered Master Electrician (RME) Licensure Examination, given by the same board but aimed at a different eligibility track and scope of practice. A lot of reviewees mix the two up, so this guide walks through both, the REE exam's three subjects, the passing grade rule, who can sit for each exam, the general schedule pattern, and how to structure your review so you are not caught off guard on exam day.
Whether you are a graduating BSEE student mapping out your review timeline, or a working electrical technician weighing REE versus RME, this guide gives you the verified basics you need before you start reviewing.
What Is the REE Board Exam?
The REE board exam is the licensure examination that lets a BS Electrical Engineering graduate become a Registered Electrical Engineer, the professional title recognized under Philippine law to design, supervise, and sign off on electrical engineering work. It is governed by Republic Act No. 7920, the Electrical Engineering Law of the Philippines, and administered by PRC's Board of Electrical Engineering.
Passing the REE exam is the gateway to working as a licensed electrical engineer in power systems, building electrical design, industrial plants, utilities, and consulting, among other fields.
What Are the REE Board Exam Subjects?
The REE exam is built around three subject areas. Based on PRC's published table of specifications and consistent third-party review sources, the approximate weights are:
| Subject | Coverage | Approx. Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Algebra, trigonometry, analytic geometry, differential and integral calculus, complex numbers, probability and statistics, matrices, differential equations, Fourier series, Laplace transforms | ~25% |
| Engineering Sciences and Allied Subjects | General chemistry, college physics, engineering materials, engineering mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical codes and standards, professional ethics | ~30% |
| Electrical Engineering Professional Subjects | Circuits, power systems, electrical machines, illumination, control systems, building wiring and design | ~45% |
Electrical Engineering Professional Subjects carries the heaviest weight at roughly 45%, so most review centers structure their programs to give it the most contact hours. Still, because of the "no grade below 50%" rule below, you cannot afford to neglect Mathematics or Engineering Sciences either. Confirm the exact table of specifications and any weight adjustments directly with PRC before finalizing your study plan, since boards can revise coverage between administrations.
What Is the Passing Grade for the REE Exam?
You pass the REE board exam with a general weighted average of 70%, provided you do not score below 50% in any single subject. This is the standard PRC passing formula used across most engineering board exams.
In practice, this means a strong score in Electrical Engineering Professional Subjects cannot save you if you score below 50% in Mathematics or Engineering Sciences and Allied Subjects. Balanced, subject-by-subject preparation matters as much as your overall average.
Who Can Take the REE Board Exam?
Under Republic Act No. 7920, REE applicants generally must:
- Be a Filipino citizen, or a foreign national from a country that grants Filipinos reciprocal practice rights.
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Be of good moral character.
- Hold a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from a CHED-recognized school.
If you are still deciding where to take your electrical engineering degree, compare programs in our guide to the best engineering schools in the Philippines. If you are a senior high school student weighing your track, see our breakdown of the STEM strand for engineering.
What Is the RME Exam, and How Is It Different from REE?
The Registered Master Electrician (RME) exam is a separate licensure examination under the same PRC Board of Electrical Engineering, but it targets a different scope of practice and a different eligibility pool.
| REE (Registered Electrical Engineer) | RME (Registered Master Electrician) | |
|---|---|---|
| Governing board | PRC Board of Electrical Engineering | PRC Board of Electrical Engineering |
| Typical degree required | BS Electrical Engineering (4-year) | Electrical technology / industrial technology program, or documented apprenticeship experience |
| Scope of practice | Electrical engineering design, supervision, and consulting | Electrical installation, wiring, and master electrician work |
| Passing grade | 70% general average, no grade below 50% | 70% general average (per PRC passing standards) |
RME eligibility has more pathways than REE. Reported routes include a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology major in Electrical Technology, a completed three-year BSEE or electrical engineering technology course paired with a year of practice, shorter vocational courses paired with several years of apprenticeship, or even a high school diploma paired with a longer apprenticeship period, each certified by a licensed RME or REE with supporting documents such as employment certificates or logbooks. If you are choosing between the technician/master-electrician track and the full engineering degree, confirm the exact current eligibility matrix with PRC or the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE), since documentation requirements are detailed and specific to each pathway.
When Is the Electrical Engineering Board Exam Given?
PRC typically administers the REE and RME licensure exams twice a year, historically clustered around April and September, at testing centers in Metro Manila and major regional cities such as Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo.
Application is done through PRC's LERIS online system, with filing typically opening a couple of months before each exam date. Because PRC issues an updated calendar resolution every year and can adjust dates or testing centers, do not rely on last year's schedule when planning your review. Check the current year's schedule on our 2026 board exam schedule roundup and cross-verify directly on the official PRC website before you commit to an application window.
How Do I Prepare for the REE Board Exam?
There is no shortcut around the material, but a structured plan makes the difference between passing on your first attempt and having to retake it. A few practical steps:
- Start with Electrical Engineering Professional Subjects. Since it carries the heaviest weight, spend more review hours here, but do not skip Mathematics or Engineering Sciences given the 50% floor rule.
- Take a review center program if your budget allows it. A structured cohort, practice sets, and mock board exams under timed conditions help simulate real exam pressure. See our guide on how long a board exam review should take to plan your timeline.
- Drill past board exam questions. Pattern recognition across recurring problem types (circuit analysis, power system calculations, illumination design) builds speed.
- Track your practice scores per subject, not just overall. Since each subject has its own 50% floor, know where you are weakest and shore that up specifically rather than only chasing a high overall average.
- Build in a final review month dedicated to weak areas and full-length timed mock exams rather than new material.
Many of the same review-planning fundamentals that apply to other licensure exams apply here too. If you are weighing whether a review center is worth the cost, our guide on how to pass a licensure exam on your first try covers study habits that transfer across board exams even though it was written with LET reviewees in mind.
After You Pass: Renewing Your License
Once you pass the REE or RME exam and receive your Professional Identification Card, you will need to renew your PRC license periodically along with completing required continuing professional development (CPD) units. See our PRC license renewal guide for the general renewal process that applies across PRC-regulated professions.
Important Disclaimer
Board exam subjects, weightings, passing grades, schedules, fees, and eligibility requirements can change between PRC board resolutions. The figures in this guide reflect the most recent verifiable information at the time of writing. Always confirm current details directly with the PRC (prc.gov.ph) or the Board of Electrical Engineering before finalizing your application or review plan.
Sources
- PRC - REE and RME Table of Specifications / Requirements (REE_RME0416bp_e.pdf)
- PRC - Table of Specifications for REE Licensure Examination (FOI)
- PRC - April 2026 Registered Electrical Engineers and Registered Master Electricians Licensure Examinations Results
- PRC - Schedule of Licensure Examinations for the Year 2026
- PRC - List of Requirements
- Bukas - An All-In Guide to the Electrical Engineer Licensure Exam in the Philippines
- IIEE - Requirements for Registered Master Electrician Licensure Examination
- PRC Board - Registered Electrical Engineer Results
Ready to Choose Your Electrical Engineering School?
Picking the right BS Electrical Engineering program is the real starting point for passing the REE board exam years later. Compare programs, tuition, and locations on SchoolFinderPH and check our roundup of the best engineering schools in the Philippines to shortlist schools with strong REE board exam track records.
