Pre-Employment Medical Exam (PEME) Cost & Requirements Philippines [2026]

Quick Answer: A standard Pre-Employment Medical Exam (PEME) in the Philippines costs ₱800–₱3,500 at DOH-accredited clinics — covering physical exam, CBC, urinalysis, chest X-ray, drug test, and vision test. Executive packages run ₱5,000–₱15,000 (add ECG, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, Hepatitis B, HIV, audiometry). Seafarers Medical Exam (PEME for OFW seafarers) under DMW/PRC rules costs ₱3,000–₱8,000 at DOH-accredited Maritime Clinics. Results are typically released in 1–3 business days; the certificate is valid 3–6 months for standard PEME and up to 1 year for seafarers. Top nationwide providers: Hi-Precision Diagnostics, Healthway QualiMed, FastMed, SLMC Extension Clinics, and hospital-based employee health centers.

What Is a Pre-Employment Medical Exam?

A Pre-Employment Medical Exam (PEME) — also called a Pre-Placement Medical Exam or fitness-to-work exam — is a structured clinical evaluation to certify that a candidate is medically fit for the physical, mental, and environmental demands of a specific job. It is distinct from:

• Annual Physical Exam (APE): periodic employee wellness check, typically once hired. See our annual physical exam cost guide.
• Drug Test (standalone): RA 9165 screening only. PEME usually bundles drug test, but a standalone drug test does not meet PEME requirements. See our drug test centers guide and drug test + medical certificate cost.
• Medical Certificate (basic): a physician-signed note of a specific clinical fact. Does not include labs or diagnostics.

PEME is mandated by:

• DOLE Department Order 57-04 — Occupational Safety and Health Standards: requires PEME for hazardous workplaces.
• BIR / SEC requirements — for incorporation, certain regulated industries, and government contractors.
• PRC & PNP requirements — licensed professions (nurses, radiologic technologists) and firearms licensees.
• DMW (formerly POEA) — all OFWs, with seafarer-specific PEME under STCW.
• Company policy — virtually all BPO, manufacturing, logistics, aviation, healthcare, and hospitality employers require PEME before onboarding.

Standard PEME Components

A DOH-accredited "standard" PEME covers the following:

Add-Ons for Age 30+ and Specific Industries

Most employers add these based on age, role, and industry:

Important: Philippine labor law (including the Magna Carta of Women, RA 9710) prohibits pregnancy testing as a condition of employment or as grounds for refusal to hire. A pregnancy test done for radiation-shielding purposes before X-ray is acceptable but cannot affect the hiring decision.

PEME Cost: What to Budget in 2026

Many employers issue a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to their partner clinic — if so, you pay nothing out of pocket. Clarify with HR before scheduling. If you pay yourself, keep the official receipt for possible reimbursement.

Where to Get Your PEME

Hi-Precision Diagnostics

Largest nationwide DOH-accredited diagnostic chain, 60+ branches. Standard PEME package ₱1,800–₱3,500. Walk-in, results in 1–2 business days. Corporate LOA billing widely accepted.

• Hi-Precision Diagnostics Plus – The Fort Branch — BGC
• Hi-Precision Diagnostics Plus – SM Aura — Taguig
• Hi-Precision Diagnostics Plus – Ortigas Branch — Pasig
• Hi-Precision Diagnostics Plus – SM Mall of Asia Branch — Pasay
• Hi-Precision Diagnostics Plus – Alabang Branch — Muntinlupa
• Hi-Precision Diagnostics – Cebu Main (J. Llorente St.)
• Hi-Precision Diagnostics – Kawit, Cavite Branch
• Hi-Precision Diagnostics Plus – Biñan Branch — Laguna

Full branch list and pricing in our Hi-Precision price list.

Healthway QualiMed / Healthway Medical

Metro Manila-anchored chain with mall branches and corporate clinics. Strong HMO integration. Standard PEME ₱2,500–₱4,500.

• Healthway Medical Laboratory — Makati
• Healthway – Festival Mall — Muntinlupa
• Globe Lab by Healthway — Mandaluyong

Full rate card in our Healthway QualiMed price list.

FastMed Diagnostics (Central Luzon)

Regional chain serving Clark, Angeles, and BPO/manufacturing employers in Pampanga. Standard PEME ₱1,500–₱2,800.

• FastMed – Angeles Branch
• FastMed Diagnostics – Mabalacat

See FastMed Angeles rates for full pricing.

Company-Accredited / On-Site Clinics

Large BPOs, manufacturing plants, hotels, and hospitals operate their own in-house medical departments or partner with a specific clinic chain. If your offer letter names a clinic, go there — any other provider may require re-testing.

Hospital-Based Employee Health Clinics

Tertiary hospitals run dedicated Occupational Health Services, useful for executive PEME and complex cases.

• Makati Medical Center — Corporate Health Clinic — see Makati Medical Center rates
• St. Luke's Extension Clinics (various) — see St. Luke's rates
• The Medical City Corporate Health — see The Medical City rates
• Asian Hospital Wellness Center (Alabang)
• Chong Hua Hospital Corporate Clinic (Cebu) — Chong Hua rates

DOH Hospitals (Budget Option)

Government hospitals offer the cheapest PEME at ₱400–₱1,200 (PGH, East Avenue, Rizal Medical, Vicente Sotto, Southern Philippines Medical Center). Expect half-day queues and 3–7 day turnaround. Often the go-to for OFW and license applications where employer does not specify clinic.

Seafarer Medical Exam (DMW / STCW)

The Seafarers PEME is governed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) — successor to POEA — and follows the IMO STCW Convention medical fitness standards. It must be performed at a DMW-accredited Maritime Clinic.

Required Tests

• Physical and psychiatric evaluation (Panel physician certified by DMW)
• CBC, urinalysis, stool ova/parasite, HBsAg, HIV, VDRL (syphilis), HCV
• Drug test (DOH 2-drug panel)
• Chest X-ray (PA + lateral), ECG
• Vision: Snellen, Ishihara, visual field (deck/navigational officers)
• Hearing: audiometry (bridge crew)
• Dental exam, immunization review (Yellow Fever if destination requires)
• Fitness to work at sea declaration

Cost: ₱3,000–₱8,000

Varies by accredited maritime clinic and employer's manning agency. Most agencies prepay via LOA. If you pay personally, keep receipts — standard practice is employer reimbursement after contract signing.

Validity

Seafarer medical certificates are valid up to 2 years for most ranks (1 year for color-sensitive roles). However, re-exam is often required before each new deployment.

DMW-Accredited Maritime Clinics (Metro Manila hubs)

• Ermita / Malate area — highest concentration, near T.M. Kalaw
• Makati — several near PRC and DMW offices
• Cebu — Mactan and Cebu City clinics serving Visayan seafarer pipeline

Ask your manning agency for their accredited clinic list. Going to a non-accredited facility wastes the money — the certificate will not be honored by DMW.

OFW (Land-Based) PEME: GAMCA

For deployment to Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman), the GAMCA (GCC Approved Medical Centers Association) exam is required. Cost ₱4,500–₱7,500 at GAMCA-accredited clinics.

Common tests: CBC, HBsAg, HCV, HIV, VDRL, hCG (female), chest X-ray, ECG (30+), urine (drugs and pregnancy), fasting blood sugar, height/weight/BP.

Validity: 3 months.

For destinations outside the GCC (Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Canada, Europe), the destination country dictates panel rules — your recruitment agency or embassy medical panel will direct you to the right accredited clinic.

The PEME Process — Step by Step

1. Receive LOA or scheduling instructions from HR. Most employers specify the clinic, date, and fasting requirements.
2. Fast 8–10 hours before the test if FBS, lipid profile, or UTZ abdomen is included. Water is okay; no coffee, no food. Skip fasting only for walk-in basic PEME.
3. Bring: valid government ID, 2 recent 2x2 ID photos, employer LOA or cash, list of current medications, eyeglasses/contacts if you use them for the vision test.
4. Arrive 30 minutes early. Most DOH-accredited clinics open 7 AM and prefer walk-ins in the morning for same-day lab processing.
5. Sequence: registration → vitals (BP, weight, height) → physical exam → labs → imaging → drug test → discharge. Expect 2–4 hours onsite at a private clinic, half-day at a government hospital.
6. Pickup or online release. Results are typically ready in 1–3 business days. Many chains now deliver results via email or online portal. For paper copies, bring your claim stub and ID.
7. Submit to HR. Most employers want the original. Keep a photocopy or scanned PDF for your files.

Validity of a PEME Certificate

• Standard PEME: 3–6 months, depending on employer policy.
• Seafarer Medical Certificate: up to 2 years (rank-dependent).
• GAMCA (GCC): 3 months.
• CAAP Aviation (Pilot Class 1): 1 year.
• Drug test component: typically 6 months–1 year (LTO accepts up to 6 months).

If you are changing jobs and your PEME is recent, ask HR whether they will accept the existing certificate or require a repeat test. Most corporates require a fresh PEME dated within 30 days of onboarding.

What PEME Cannot Do

• PEME cannot be used to discriminate based on protected categories (pregnancy, HIV status, mental health history, genetic disposition). The Magna Carta of Women and the HIV and AIDS Policy Act (RA 11166) specifically prohibit such use.
• An employer cannot require a pregnancy test as a hiring condition. Pregnancy testing done only for X-ray radiation safety is allowed but cannot influence employment decisions.
• A positive drug test (screening) alone is not legally actionable — a confirmatory GC-MS is required, and the Medical Review Officer (MRO) must consider prescription medications. See our drug test centers guide.
• PEME findings are confidential medical data under RA 10173 (Data Privacy Act). An employer receives a "fit to work" / "not fit" summary, not the underlying labs, unless you expressly consent.

PhilHealth & HMO Coverage

PhilHealth does not cover PEME — it is an administrative, non-medical-necessity test. You or your employer pay out of pocket.

HMO coverage is conditional:

• Pre-employment PEME for a new hire: usually not covered (no existing HMO plan yet).
• Annual physical exam of an active HMO member: covered under the wellness rider, typically once per year.
• HMO "Well Adult" or "Executive Check-Up" packages: fully covered if your plan includes it.

If HR tells you the PEME is "covered by HMO," confirm whether it's the company's pre-hire rider or just the post-hire annual physical — the two are different.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a pre-employment medical exam cost in the Philippines?

Standard PEME ranges ₱800–₱3,500 at DOH-accredited diagnostic chains; ₱5,000–₱15,000 for executive packages; ₱3,000–₱8,000 for seafarers; ₱4,500–₱7,500 for GAMCA. Many employers pay directly via LOA, so your out-of-pocket is zero when going through the company-assigned clinic.

How long does PEME take and when will I get results?

Onsite time: 2–4 hours at private clinics, half-day at government hospitals. Results: 1–3 business days. Rush same-day results are available at most private chains for a 50% surcharge.

Can I fail a PEME? What happens if I do?

Yes. Common causes: active pulmonary TB on chest X-ray, positive drug test, severe hypertension (>180/110), uncontrolled diabetes, contagious skin disease, serious cardiac findings. You will receive a "not fit for work" or "conditional" result. You have the right to: request the full lab panel, get a second opinion, treat and re-test, and contest discriminatory use of the findings. HIV alone is not a lawful basis for refusal under RA 11166.

Is PEME the same as drug test?

No. The DOH drug test is typically one component of a PEME, but a standalone drug test does not replace PEME. Employers mandating PEME will require physical exam, CBC, urinalysis, and chest X-ray in addition to the drug panel. See our drug test centers guide for standalone drug testing.

Does PEME cover dental?

Basic dental screening is included in some PEME packages (especially for food handling and healthcare) but is often not. Dental certification is commonly a separate ₱300–₱800 service. Ask HR whether they require "dental clearance" — if so, bring the form to a dentist before your PEME appointment.

Is PEME valid for LTO driver's license application?

PEME has some overlapping components (vision, drug test) but the LTO specifically requires a DOH-accredited LTO Medical Clinic certificate (₱300–₱500). A standard employment PEME certificate is not accepted by the LTO; get the LTO-specific medical separately.

Can the employer require me to pay?

Legally ambiguous. DOLE guidance leans toward the employer covering PEME since it's a condition of employment. Many employers do cover it via LOA; some reimburse upon passing and onboarding; a minority require the candidate to pay. You can negotiate — a ₱2,000 PEME should not be a deal-breaker for a senior hire.

Is PEME covered by SSS or GSIS?

No. SSS and GSIS are social security systems for pensions and benefits, not healthcare financing. PhilHealth also does not cover PEME. This is always out-of-pocket or employer-paid.

How do I know if a clinic is DOH-accredited for drug testing?

Ask to see the DOH-DDB (Dangerous Drugs Board) accreditation certificate at the front desk. It should be current (renewed annually). Verify at doh.gov.ph if uncertain. An unaccredited clinic's drug test result is legally worthless. For details see our drug test centers Philippines guide.

Can a pregnant woman undergo PEME?

Yes, with accommodations: chest X-ray is postponed (or replaced with a clinical chest exam) until after delivery, and she should not be denied employment based on pregnancy. Inform the clinic and employer in writing before the exam. A pregnancy test is allowed for safety (radiation avoidance) but not for hiring decisions.

Find a PEME Clinic Near You

ClinicFinderPH lists DOH-accredited diagnostic centers, hospital-based clinics, and maritime health providers nationwide. Browse the diagnostic directory or see related guides:

• Drug Test Centers Philippines
• Annual Physical Exam Cost Philippines
• Drug Test & Medical Certificate Cost
• Hi-Precision Price List
• Healthway QualiMed Price List
• FastMed Angeles Rates

Bottom Line

A standard PEME in the Philippines costs ₱800–₱3,500, scales to ₱5,000–₱15,000 for executive packages, and ₱3,000–₱8,000 for DMW-accredited seafarer exams. Most employers pay directly via LOA at their partner chain — Hi-Precision, Healthway QualiMed, or FastMed in Metro Manila and Clark; hospital-based clinics for executive hires. Budget a half-day of your time, bring ID and fasting (if required), and know that the certificate is valid 3–6 months for most roles. If HR specifies a clinic, go there — a PEME from a non-designated or unaccredited facility means a repeat exam and a delayed start date.