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 (estimate) at a DOH-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 Revised POEA Rules for seafarers, PEME is a processing fee chargeable to the principal and employer, as DMW Advisory No. 20, s. 2025 reiterates. If you advance a fee, keep your receipts. The exam must be done at a DOH-accredited clinic (DOH Administrative Order No. 2013-0006); a result from a non-accredited clinic will not be honored. Validity is up to 2 years if you are deployed within 90 days of the date of fitness, and 1 year if you are under 18 or have health-related limitations.

About these figures: Prices in this guide are estimates for budgeting. The only dated price lists we found are published by P&I insurance clubs: the American Club's PEME price list (revised June 5, 2026) shows ₱4,600 to ₱6,871 at six Philippine clinics for seafarers under 40, and ₱5,400 to ₱8,218.77 for those over 40 who need a stress test. The West of England club lists its Philippines package at US$105 (rate sheet undated). The DOH is required to set a minimum and maximum range of PEME fees, but we could not find the published peso range. Confirm the current price with the clinic. Last checked: October 2026.

Table of Contents

• What Is the Seafarer PEME?
• Seafarer PEME Cost in 2026
• Why It Must Be a DOH-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 clinics that conduct the seafarer PEME are accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), while the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the successor to the POEA, sets the deployment and fee rules for manning agencies. The exam can only be performed by a DOH-accredited maritime clinic staffed by 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 DOH-accredited maritime clinic is estimated at ₱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 reference, the American Club price list revised June 5, 2026 shows ₱4,600 to ₱6,871 at six Philippine clinics for seafarers under 40.

For seafarers enrolled under an enhanced PEME (EPEME) program run by a major P&I (Protection & Indemnity) insurer — such as the West of England or American Club programs, the principal pays a package fee. The West of England lists its Philippines package at US$105 (rate sheet undated), while the American Club lists peso prices of ₱4,600 to ₱6,871 per clinic (June 2026). 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)

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 DOH accreditation requirements. 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 DOH-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 DOH for overseas workers and seafarers (RA 10022 and DOH Administrative Order No. 2013-0006).

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 DMW list and its siblings for other destinations are mapped in Medical Exam for Abroad: Who Publishes What.

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 physician at the DOH-accredited clinic
• 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 for Hepatitis B, Anti-HCV for Hepatitis C, HIV, and VDRL/RPR for syphilis), which DOH rules require when the destination country or principal asks for them
• 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 Rule V (Fees and Contributions) of the 2016 Revised POEA Rules for Seafarers, processing fees required for deployment, such as the pre-employment medical examination in the principal's or employer's designated clinic, are chargeable to the principal and employer, and Section 52 says no other charges may be imposed on or paid by the seafarer unless provided by law. DMW Advisory No. 20, s. 2025 reiterates both rules. RA 8042, as amended by RA 10022, also makes it a prohibited act to force a worker to use only designated clinics, except for a seafarer whose medical examination cost is shouldered by the principal or shipowner.

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.
• If you advanced a fee, keep the official receipt and ask the agency to reimburse it.
• 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 under MLC 2006 is valid for a maximum of 2 years (1 year for seafarers under 18), and a certification of colour vision is valid for a maximum of 6 years. Under DOH rules, a fit-for-duty PEME certificate is valid for a maximum of 2 years only if the seafarer is deployed within 90 days of the date of fitness, and for 1 year if the applicant is under 18 or has health-related limitations. A principal, flag state or employer can require a shorter period.

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 DOH list of accredited clinics) 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 DOH-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 is estimated at ₱3,000–₱8,000 in 2026 at a DOH-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 P&I club PEME programs, the principal pays a package fee (the West of England lists US$105 for its Philippines package, rate sheet undated). 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 Rule V of the 2016 Revised POEA Rules for seafarers, the pre-employment medical exam is chargeable to the principal and employer, and Section 52 bars other charges on the seafarer (DMW Advisory No. 20, s. 2025). Many agencies prepay via a Letter of Authorization (LOA); if you advance the cost, keep your receipts and ask for 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 DOH-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?

A maximum of 2 years under MLC 2006 and DOH rules (if you are deployed within 90 days of the date of fitness), 1 year for seafarers under 18 or with health-related limitations, and up to 6 years for a colour vision certification. 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). DOH rules require accredited clinics to release PEME results within 72 hours of the examination (DOH Administrative Order No. 2013-0006), though a repeated or reviewed test can take longer.

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. If you advanced a fee, keep the official receipt and ask the agency to reimburse it.

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 DOH-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 DOH-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.