Thousands of accountancy graduates across the Philippines are now waiting anxiously. The October 2026 Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination (CPALE) has officially ended. Now, all eyes are on the list of top 10 passers.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Board of Accountancy will name the topnotchers together with the full results. Until then, here is everything examinees and their families should know.
October 2026 CPALE at a Glance
The three-day exam took place from October 24 to 26, 2026. Candidates sat for the test in 18 testing centers nationwide. These included NCR, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Pampanga and Zamboanga, among others.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination (CPALE) |
| Exam Dates | October 24–26, 2026 |
| Conducting Body | PRC Board of Accountancy |
| Target Release Date | November 3, 2026 |
| Testing Centers | 18 locations nationwide |
| Rating Verification | Online via PRC portal |
| Registration Dates | To be announced |
| Oath-Taking Schedule | To be announced |
Testing Centers for the October 2026 CPALE
Examinees took the exam in the following locations:
| Region / Area | Testing Centers |
|---|---|
| Luzon | NCR, Baguio, Calapan, Lucena, Legazpi, Palawan, Pampanga, Rosales, Tuguegarao |
| Visayas | Cebu, Iloilo, Tacloban |
| Mindanao | Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Koronadal, Pagadian, Zamboanga |
Who Leads the Board of Accountancy?
The board overseeing this exam is chaired by Hon. Noe G. Quiñanola. Hon. Samuel B. Padilla serves as Vice Chairman. Meanwhile, the board members are Hon. Gloria T. Baysa, Hon. Thelma S. Ciudadano and Hon. Gervacio I. Piator. Hon. Maria Teresita Z. Dimaculangan, also a member, has inhibited from this exam.
When Will the Topnotchers Be Announced?
Under PRC Resolution No. 2113, series of 2025, the results are targeted for release on November 3, 2026. However, the commission can publish them earlier or later. Final processing and verification often decide the exact date.
Past trends offer a helpful clue. For instance, the May 2026 CPALE results came out on June 2, 2026. That was just four working days after the exam ended. In contrast, the October 2025 results took five working days.
Based on this pattern, the list may appear as early as the first days of November. As a result, examinees should keep checking official PRC channels closely.
How the PRC Recognizes Topnotchers
The PRC honors the 10 examinees with the highest ratings in each licensure exam. Along with their names, the commission publishes their schools and final ratings. Because of this, the list also gives schools a chance to showcase academic excellence.
Past CPALE Top 1 Passers
Looking back, a few schools have produced champions again and again. The table below shows every top 1 placer in recent years.
| Exam | Top 1 Passer | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | James Al Alcayde Serondo | University of the Philippines – Diliman | 91.17% |
| October 2025 | Mike Ronnel Diwa Castro | Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University | 91.83% |
| May 2025 | John Elrich Ramirez Gamboa | University of the Philippines – Diliman | 92.67% |
| December 2024 | Jianne Ilysse Dy Yu | University of San Carlos | 89.67% |
| May 2024 | Nicole Agoy Gonzales | University of the Cordilleras | 90.83% |
| May 2024 | Hazel Ann Concepcion Sera | Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa | 90.83% |
| October 2023 | Allaine Beduya Collamar | University of the Philippines – Visayas (Tacloban) | 91.17% |
| October 2023 | Hebban Talib Tawantawan | University of San Jose – Recoletos | 91.17% |
| May 2023 | Alexander Salvador Centino Bandiola Jr. | University of the Cordilleras | 89.50% |
| October 2022 | Jhoone Cyrelle Dela Cruz Nacario | University of Santo Tomas | 88.83% |
| December 2021 | None | None | None |
| October 2021 | None | None | None |
| October 2019 | Justine Louie Bautista Santiago | University of Santo Tomas | 90.33% |
| May 2019 | Josemaria Alvaro Cabarrus Fontillas | De La Salle University – Manila | 89.83% |
| October 2018 | Lahaira Amy Cayog Reyes | University of Santo Tomas | 91.83% |
| May 2018 | Jayson Ong Chan | Saint Paul School of Professional Studies – Palo | 92.50% |
| October 2017 | Alfonso Solomon Ramos Magno | University of Santo Tomas | 91.33% |
| May 2017 | Vianca Pearl Inot Amores | University of San Carlos | 92.67% |
| May 2017 | Marianato Jesus Berdin Del Rio | University of San Carlos | 92.67% |
Key Trends From Previous Rankings
Several patterns stand out from this history. First, the University of Santo Tomas has produced four top 1 passers since 2017. Second, UP Diliman claimed the top spot in two of the last three exams.
Additionally, the highest recorded rating in this period is 92.67%. Three different passers reached that mark in May 2017 and May 2025. On the other hand, no topnotchers were declared in October and December 2021.
Ties have also become fairly common. In fact, May 2017, October 2023 and May 2024 each had two examinees sharing the top rank.
How to Verify Your CPALE Rating
Once results are out, examinees can check their ratings online through the PRC Verification of Rating page. To do this, prepare the following details:
| Required Detail | Notes |
|---|---|
| Examination name | Select the CPALE |
| Date of examination | October 2026 |
| Application number | Found on your exam application |
| First name and last name | Must match official records |
| Date of birth | Must match official records |
Before submitting, double-check every entry. Otherwise, the system may fail to find your record.
Registration for New CPAs
The PRC will release the registration schedule together with the results. Successful examinees must then book an appointment online through the PRC website. This step is needed to get the Professional ID card and Certificate of Registration.
Generally, new CPAs should bring these items:
- A screenshot of the system-generated Registration Form
- A valid government-issued ID
- Any other documents the PRC may require
Furthermore, each passer must appear personally to complete registration. They also need to sign the Roster of Registered Professionals.
Successful examinees interested in attending the face-to-face mass oath-taking must register through https://online.prc.gov.ph/ within the deadline prescribed by the PRC.
Oath-Taking Ceremony Details
The PRC will also announce the date and venue of the oath-taking ceremony. Passers who want to join the face-to-face mass oath-taking must register online before the deadline. Under earlier guidelines, the cutoff was 12:00 PM on the day before the event.
Alternatively, passers can choose virtual oath-taking. For this, they need to book the e-OATH transaction through PRC Online Services. Usually, online registration closes five calendar days before the virtual ceremony. A special oath-taking may also be requested, depending on PRC availability.
After taking the oath, new accountants can move on to initial registration. Finally, they become fully licensed Certified Public Accountants.
The October 2026 CPALE topnotchers list will mark the start of many promising careers. Whether a new name emerges or a familiar school rises again, the achievement reflects years of hard work. For now, examinees should stay patient and rely only on official announcements for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will the October 2026 CPALE topnotchers be released?
The PRC has set November 3, 2026, as the target date. Still, results may come out a few days earlier or later.
2. How many topnotchers does the PRC name?
The commission names the top 10 examinees with the highest ratings. Ties can push the list beyond 10 names.
3. Which school has produced the most CPALE top 1 passers recently?
Since 2017, the University of Santo Tomas leads with four top 1 passers. UP Diliman and the University of San Carlos follow closely.
4. Can I take my oath online after passing the CPALE?
Yes. Passers can choose virtual oath-taking by booking the e-OATH transaction through PRC Online Services before the deadline.