![Seafarer Medical Exam (PEME) Cost & Accredited Clinics Philippines [2026]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.clinicfinderph.com%2Fblog%2Fseafarer-medical-exam-peme-cost-philippines.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Seafarer Medical Exam (PEME) Cost & Accredited Clinics Philippines [2026]
Quick Answer: A seafarer Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEME) in the Philippines costs ₱3,000–₱8,000 in 2026 at a DMW-accredited maritime clinic, with most full panels landing around ₱4,000–₱6,000. The exact price depends on the clinic, your rank, and the destination/flag-state add-ons (extra vaccines, yellow fever, audiometry). Crucially, you usually should not pay this yourself: under the 2016 POEA/DMW Rules, the manning agency or shipowner is required to shoulder the PEME — most prepay through a Letter of Authorization (LOA), or reimburse you after deployment. The exam must be done at a clinic accredited under MLC 2006 / STCW standards; a result from a non-accredited clinic will not be honored. Validity is typically up to 2 years (shorter — often 1 year — for color-vision-sensitive deck roles).
Table of Contents
- What Is the Seafarer PEME?
- Seafarer PEME Cost in 2026
- Why It Must Be a DMW/MLC-Accredited Clinic
- The PEME Test Battery
- Who Pays — Manning Agency or Seafarer?
- Validity of the Seafarer Medical Certificate
- Where to Get a Seafarer PEME
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Is the Seafarer PEME?
The Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEME) for seafarers is a structured fitness-for-duty assessment that certifies you are medically fit to live and work at sea. It is not a generic company physical. It is a regulated exam built around two international standards: the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006), which requires every seafarer to hold a valid medical fitness certificate before working on a ship, and the STCW Convention (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping), which sets the medical standards for watchkeeping crew — eyesight, hearing, and overall fitness for navigational duties.
In the Philippines, the seafarer PEME is administered under the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the successor to the POEA. The exam can only be performed by a DMW-accredited maritime clinic staffed by panel physicians authorized to issue the seafarer medical certificate. The certificate you receive is recognized by manning agencies, foreign principals, and flag-state authorities — which is exactly why it cannot be substituted with an ordinary pre-employment medical from a walk-in diagnostic center.
This is a separate, heavier exam than the standard land-based PEME most Filipino employees take. For a general overview of standard, executive, and corporate medicals, see our pre-employment medical exam cost guide. This page focuses specifically on the seafarer/maritime version.
Seafarer PEME Cost in 2026
A full seafarer PEME at a DMW-accredited maritime clinic costs ₱3,000–₱8,000 in 2026. The wide spread reflects rank, the clinic, and destination/flag-state requirements rather than a single fixed national rate. Most standard officer and rating panels fall in the ₱4,000–₱6,000 band; the top of the range applies when extra modules (additional vaccines, yellow fever, expanded vision/hearing testing) are bundled in.
For seafarers enrolled under an enhanced PEME (EPEME) program run by a major P&I (Protection & Indemnity) insurer — such as the UK, West of England, NorthStandard, or Shipowners' Club programs — the principal pays a negotiated package fee, typically quoted in the US$100–US$150 range per seafarer. These enhanced programs are paid by the shipowner/club, not the crew, and simply route you to a specific accredited clinic on their network.
Seafarer PEME Price Comparison (2026)
| Exam Type | Typical Cost | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Standard seafarer PEME (rating/officer) | ₱3,000 – ₱8,000 | Full DMW/MLC panel: PE, labs, drug test, chest X-ray, ECG, vision, hearing, dental |
| Most common full panel | ₱4,000 – ₱6,000 | The band most accredited clinics quote walk-in |
| Enhanced PEME (P&I club program) | US$100 – US$150 | Insurer-negotiated package at a network clinic (paid by principal) |
| Add-on vaccine (e.g. Hepatitis A) | up to ₱2,000 | Charged separately if required by destination |
| Yellow fever vaccination | ₱1,500 – ₱3,500 | Only if the route/flag state requires it |
These are informed 2026 ranges from accredited maritime clinics and P&I PEME program rate sheets. Exact pricing varies by clinic and your manning agency's contract — always confirm the current quote with the accredited clinic before you go.
A standard, land-based PEME (for comparison) is much cheaper — roughly ₱800–₱3,500 — because it skips the maritime-specific modules and the DMW accreditation overhead. The seafarer exam costs more because of the larger required test battery, the panel-physician sign-off, and the strict MLC/STCW standard it must satisfy.
Why It Must Be a DMW/MLC-Accredited Clinic
This is the single most important thing to get right: your PEME is only valid if it is done at an accredited maritime clinic. Under MLC 2006, the seafarer medical certificate must be issued by a recognized medical practitioner; under Philippine rules, that means a clinic accredited by the DMW (and historically by the DOH for overseas workers and seafarers).
A medical certificate from an ordinary clinic — even a reputable diagnostic chain — will not be honored for seaboard employment. Going to a non-accredited facility simply wastes your money and your time; you will have to repeat the exam at an accredited clinic anyway.
In practice, accreditation is also why you should not just pick the cheapest clinic you can find. Manning agencies typically work with a specific list of accredited clinics and will tell you exactly where to go. The accredited clinics are concentrated in Metro Manila (the Ermita/Malate maritime district near T.M. Kalaw, plus Makati), with additional clinics serving the major seafarer pipelines in Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and La Union.
The PEME Test Battery
The seafarer PEME is comprehensive by design — far more than the basic CBC-and-X-ray of a land-based exam. The required battery generally includes:
- Physical and psychiatric/mental evaluation by a DMW-accredited panel physician
- Drug and alcohol testing — DOH-recognized drug panel plus alcohol screening (a core MLC/STCW fitness requirement). For more on standalone testing, see our guide to drug test centers in the Philippines.
- Blood and laboratory work — CBC, urinalysis, stool exam (ova/parasite), blood typing, fasting blood sugar, plus serology: HBsAg (Hepatitis B), Anti-HCV (Hepatitis C), HIV, and VDRL/RPR (syphilis)
- Vision testing — visual acuity (Snellen), color vision (Ishihara), and visual field testing for deck/navigational officers, per STCW eyesight standards
- Hearing testing — audiometry, particularly for bridge and watchkeeping crew
- Chest X-ray (PA and lateral)
- ECG (electrocardiogram) to screen cardiac fitness
- Dental examination — dental fitness is a genuine fitness-to-sail factor because shipboard dental care is limited
- Immunization review — confirming required vaccines; yellow fever if the route or destination demands it
The exam ends with a fitness-to-work-at-sea declaration: the panel physician certifies whether you are fit, fit with limitations, or unfit for duty. This declaration — not just the individual lab results — is what your manning agency and the flag state rely on.
Who Pays — Manning Agency or Seafarer?
By law, the manning agency or shipowner pays for the seafarer PEME — not you.
Under the 2016 Revised POEA Rules for Seafarers (Part III, §51), the principal/employer must shoulder the PEME up front, and charging the cost to the seafarer is prohibited. This is reinforced by the migrant-worker law (RA 8042, as amended by RA 10022), which entitles overseas Filipino workers to free medical and related pre-deployment services and makes the foreign employer and local agency jointly and severally liable for those costs. The Labor Code likewise bars collecting unauthorized fees from workers, and DOLE has never authorized seafarers to bear PEME costs.
In day-to-day practice, payment happens in one of two ways:
- Letter of Authorization (LOA): Most agencies issue an LOA to their accredited clinic, and the clinic bills the agency directly. You pay ₱0 out of pocket.
- Advance-and-reimburse: If you are asked to pay personally (sometimes done while the foreign principal's funds are still in transit), keep every official receipt. The agency/employer must reimburse you, with reimbursement typically released around deployment.
A few practical cautions:
- A manning agency that demands you shoulder the full PEME with no reimbursement is operating against POEA/DMW rules. Document everything.
- A failed or "unfit" result generally does not entitle you to a refund of an advanced fee, since the exam was still performed — another reason to let the agency pay via LOA when possible.
- Violations expose agencies to administrative fines, license suspension or cancellation, and possible criminal liability; seafarers can raise claims with the DMW or NLRC.
Bottom line: a legitimately deployed seafarer should rarely be out of pocket for the PEME. If you are, that is a reimbursable cost — and a red flag worth questioning.
Validity of the Seafarer Medical Certificate
A seafarer medical certificate issued under MLC 2006 is generally valid for up to 2 years. The key exception is color vision for roles that require it (deck/navigational officers and other color-sensitive duties), where the certificate is typically valid for a shorter period — often 1 year. For seafarers under 18, the maximum validity is shorter (one year) under MLC rules.
Two important nuances:
- Validity is not the same as "no re-exam." Even within a valid certificate window, manning agencies very commonly require a fresh PEME before each new deployment/contract. Budget your time for this, even if your last certificate has not technically expired.
- Flag state and principal rules can be stricter than the MLC minimum. Some principals require annual exams regardless. Always follow the stricter of the two.
Where to Get a Seafarer PEME
Always start with your manning agency's accredited clinic list — using a clinic off that list (and off the DMW accreditation roster) risks a certificate that will not be honored. Accredited maritime clinics are concentrated in a handful of hubs:
- Metro Manila — Ermita / Malate (near T.M. Kalaw): the densest cluster of accredited maritime clinics, walking distance from the DMW and PRC offices.
- Makati: several accredited clinics near the maritime agency district.
- Cebu (Cebu City / Mactan): serves the large Visayan seafarer pipeline.
- Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, La Union: regional accredited clinics serving major recruitment areas outside Manila.
Whichever clinic you use, confirm three things before you go: that it is currently DMW-accredited, that the panel covers your rank and flag-state requirements, and who is paying (LOA vs. out-of-pocket-then-reimburse). To browse maritime and diagnostic clinics near you, find a clinic on ClinicFinderPH.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a seafarer PEME (medical exam) cost in the Philippines in 2026?
A full seafarer PEME costs ₱3,000–₱8,000 in 2026 at a DMW-accredited maritime clinic, with most panels landing around ₱4,000–₱6,000. Price varies by clinic, rank, and any destination-specific add-ons such as extra vaccines or yellow fever. Under enhanced PEME programs run by P&I insurers, the principal pays a negotiated fee usually quoted around US$100–US$150. In most cases you should not pay this yourself — the manning agency is required to shoulder it.
Do seafarers have to pay for their own PEME?
No. Under the 2016 POEA/DMW Rules (Part III, §51), the principal/shipowner must pay for the seafarer PEME up front, and charging it to the seafarer is prohibited. RA 8042 (as amended by RA 10022) makes the foreign employer and local agency jointly liable for pre-deployment medical costs. Most agencies prepay via a Letter of Authorization (LOA); if you advance the cost, keep your receipts and you are entitled to reimbursement. An agency demanding an unreimbursed full PEME payment is acting against the rules.
Why does the PEME have to be done at an accredited maritime clinic?
Because MLC 2006 requires the seafarer medical certificate to be issued by a recognized practitioner, and Philippine rules limit that to DMW-accredited maritime clinics. A medical certificate from an ordinary, non-accredited clinic — even a major diagnostic chain — will not be honored for seaboard employment, so you would have to repeat the exam at an accredited clinic and lose the money you spent.
What tests are included in a seafarer PEME?
The battery typically includes a physical and psychiatric evaluation, drug and alcohol testing, CBC, urinalysis, stool exam, blood typing, fasting blood sugar, and serology (HBsAg, Anti-HCV, HIV, VDRL). It also covers vision testing (acuity, Ishihara color vision, and visual field for deck officers), audiometry (hearing), chest X-ray, ECG, a dental exam, and an immunization review — ending with a fitness-to-work-at-sea declaration by the panel physician.
How long is a seafarer medical certificate valid?
Generally up to 2 years under MLC 2006, but shorter (often 1 year) for color-vision-sensitive deck roles, and one year for seafarers under 18. Note that validity does not mean no re-exam: manning agencies routinely require a fresh PEME before each new contract or deployment, and some flag states or principals require annual exams.
How long does the PEME take and when do I get results?
Most accredited clinics complete the physical examination within a day (some panels run two visits if specialist or specialized lab work is needed). Results and the medical certificate are usually released within 1–3 business days, depending on the clinic's lab turnaround and whether any test needs to be repeated or reviewed.
What happens if I fail the PEME?
If you are declared "unfit," the panel physician documents the reason, and your deployment for that contract cannot proceed until the condition is addressed (where treatable) and you pass a re-exam. Some findings are temporary and fixable (e.g., elevated blood sugar, a dental issue, a treatable infection); others may be disqualifying for specific roles. A failed result generally does not entitle you to a refund of an advanced fee, since the exam was still performed — another reason to let the agency pay via LOA.
Is the seafarer PEME the same as a regular pre-employment medical exam?
No. A land-based PEME (roughly ₱800–₱3,500) is lighter and can be done at ordinary accredited clinics. The seafarer PEME is heavier, must follow MLC 2006 and STCW medical standards, must be done at a DMW-accredited maritime clinic, and costs more (₱3,000–₱8,000) because of the larger required battery and panel-physician sign-off. For the land-based version, see our pre-employment medical exam cost guide.
Conclusion
The seafarer PEME is one of the most regulated medical exams a Filipino worker will ever take — and one of the few where, done correctly, you should not be paying out of pocket. Budget around ₱3,000–₱8,000 as the real cost of the exam in 2026, but remember the law puts that cost on the manning agency or shipowner, usually settled through a Letter of Authorization. Your job is to make sure the clinic is DMW/MLC-accredited, that the panel matches your rank and destination, and that you keep receipts if you ever have to advance any fee.
For related cost and compliance reading, see our pre-employment medical exam cost guide for the land-based equivalent, and our guide to drug test centers in the Philippines, since drug and alcohol testing is a core part of every seafarer medical.
Ready to find an accredited clinic near you? Find a clinic on ClinicFinderPH to compare maritime and diagnostic clinics by location and service.