THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced on Monday that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who fell short of the 80.00 passing rate in their Career Service Examination (CSE) can qualify for additional points under a new policy.
The policy seeks to provide OFWs the chance to secure civil service eligibility for both professional and subprofessional level and qualify for regular appointment in government service, CSC Chairman Marilyn Yap said.
Applicants can receive a maximum of 10 preference rating points, which will be added to their actual exam score to help them reach the 80.00 passing mark.
The final rating reflected on the applicant’s Certificate of Eligibility will be capped at exactly 80.00, the CSC said.
“The CSC acknowledges the vital contributions of OFWs to the national economy and their potential for reintegration into the Philippine government’s career service,” Yap said.
“By granting qualified modern heroes additional points in the CSE, we open opportunities for regularization and promotion in the career service, thereby contributing to national development in the long run,” she said.
In Resolution 2600596, the agency established the Overseas Filipino Workers-Preference Rating (OFW-PR), which grants additional points to qualified OFWs based on their length of overseas employment and work performance.
The policy expands the CSC’s existing preference rating system to include Filipinos employed overseas, following the successful implementation of CSC Resolutions 2301123 and 2500164, which grant CSE-PR to specific groups of government workers, as well as military and uniformed personnel, respectively, Yap said.
The new policy covers OFWs who took the CSE through the Pen-and-Paper Test or other examination modes, beginning with the Aug. 9, 2026 CSE and subsequent examinations.
To qualify, applicants must have rendered at least five years of aggregate service as an OFW between January 2000 and their date of application.
“This service can be continuous or intermittent. This policy includes individuals under contract for overseas employment but have not yet left the Philippines, but excludes participants in government-recognized visitor program for cultural and educational purposes,” Yap said.
While the OFW-PR grants civil service eligibility, it does not automatically guarantee employment.
”They must still meet all other qualification standards for their target position, such as educational attainment and relevant training,” Yap said.
