LET preparation guide
History of Teacher Licensure in the Philippines
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The short version
The official history does not begin with a 1952 “R.A. 1006.” PRC identifies P.D. 1006, issued in 1976, as the measure that formally organized the National Board for Teachers. In 1994, R.A. 7836 transferred teacher regulation and licensing from the Civil Service Commission to PRC and created the Board for Professional Teachers.
The law, application rules, and examination program have continued to evolve. For a current application, use PRC’s latest schedule and program rather than relying on a historical article alone.
Official-source timeline
1976
P.D. 1006 professionalized teaching
Presidential Decree No. 1006 formally organized the National Board for Teachers under the Civil Service Commission and established a regulatory framework for the teaching profession.
1994
R.A. 7836 transferred regulation to PRC
The Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act created the Board for Professional Teachers under PRC and prescribed a licensure examination for professional teachers.
1995
A transition year for the old examination
R.A. 7836 allowed the Professional Board Examination for Teachers to continue for 1995 while the new regulatory system was being organized.
2004
R.A. 9293 amended qualification rules
The amendment refined educational qualifications for preschool, elementary, secondary, and vocational teacher applicants and updated registration exceptions.
Today
PRC administers the LEPT
PRC and the Board for Professional Teachers publish the examination schedule, program, instructions, and results for each administration of the LEPT.
What the key laws changed
R.A. 7836
The 1994 law strengthened regulation of teaching, created the Board for Professional Teachers under PRC, set the licensure examination framework, and established the passing standard.
R.A. 9293
The 2004 amendment refined the minimum educational qualifications for different teaching levels. It is one reason applicants should match their degree and transcript to the current PRC category.
The current examination structure
The current PRC examination program uses different weights for the standard Elementary and Secondary levels. These percentages come from the 2026 LEPT program and should be checked again for a future exam.
Elementary level
The standard elementary-level examination has two components.
- General Education
- 40%
- Professional Education
- 60%
Secondary level
The secondary-level examination includes the chosen specialization.
- General Education
- 20%
- Professional Education
- 40%
- Specialization
- 40%
PRC may publish additional categories, including an elementary level with specialization. Use the program for your exact examination date and category as the final reference.
What to verify for your exam
History explains why the LEPT exists, but it does not replace current instructions. Before filing or reporting to a testing center, verify these details directly with PRC:
- Your educational qualification and exam level
- The filing period and testing date
- The subject weights for your category
- Required documents and examination-day instructions
Official sources
Verify time-sensitive requirements, dates, and fees through the official pages below before acting.
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Related reading
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Move from the history of teacher licensure to current application, coverage, schedule, and exam-day guidance.