[ REPUBLIC ACT NO.

7836, December 16, 1994 ] all schools in the aforesaid levels and qualified to practice teaching
AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE under this Act.
"Board" - refers to the Board for Professional Teachers duly established
REGULATION AND SUPERVISION OF THE and constituted under this Act.
PRACTICE OF TEACHING IN THE "Commission" - refers to the Professional Regulation Commission.
PHILIPPINES AND PRESCRIBING A
Article II
LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR Board for Professional Teachers
TEACHERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
SEC. 5. Creation and Composition of the Board. - There is hereby
created under this Act a Board for Professional Teachers, hereinafter
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the called the Board, a collegial body under the general supervision and
Philippines in Congress assembled: administrative control of the Professional Regulation Commission,
hereinafter referred to as the Commission, composed of five (5)
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the members who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines
"Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994." from among the recommendees chosen by the Commission. The
recommendees shall be chosen from the list of nominees selected by the
SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of accredited association of teachers, who duly possess all the
teachers in nation-building and development through a responsible qualifications prescribed in Section 8 of this Act.
and literate citizenry. Towards this end, the State shall ensure and
promote quality education by proper supervision and regulation of The chairman and the vice-chairman of the Board shall be appointed
the licensure examination and professionalization of the practice of from these five (5) members by the President: Provided, That the
the teaching profession. members of the first Board appointed under this Act shall be
automatically registered as professional teachers and issued with the
SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act has the herein objectives: certificate of registration and professional license upon payment of the
The promotion, development and professionalization of teachers and fees for examination, registration, and other fees prescribed by the
the teaching profession; and Commission.
The supervision and regulation of the licensure examination.
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the SEC. 6. Duties and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall have the
following terms shall mean: following duties and functions:
"Teaching" - refers to the profession concerned primarily with Promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations necessary for
classroom instruction, at the elementary and secondary levels in carrying out the provisions of this Act in accordance with the charter of
accordance with the curriculum prescribed by the Department of the Professional Regulation Commission;
Education, Culture and Sports, whether on part-time or full-time Determine and fix the frequency, dates, and places of examination,
basis in the private or public schools. appoint supervisors, proctors, and other personnel as needed who shall
"Teachers" - refer to all persons engaged in teaching at the be entitled to a daily allowance to be fixed by the Board for every
elementary and secondary levels, whether on full-time or part-time examination day actually attended, use buildings and facilities of public
basis, including industrial arts or vocational teachers and all other or private schools for examination purposes;
persons performing supervisory and/or administrative functions in
Issue, suspend, or revoke the certificate of registration for the reappointment. Appointment to fill an unexpired term shall be
practice of the teaching profession; considered an appointment to a complete term.
Prescribe and collect examination and other fees as it may deem
proper; The chairman or any member shall take his oath of office prior to the
Prescribe and/or adopt a code of ethical and professional standards performance of his duties.
for the practice of the teaching profession. Such ethical standards,
rules and regulations to take effect sixty (60) days after its SEC. 8. Qualifications of Board Members. - Each Board member must
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general at the time of his appointment:
circulation; Be a citizen and resident of the Philippines;
Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act; Be at least thirty-five (35) years of age, of proven integrity, and
Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of possessed of high moral values in his personal as well as professional
professional teachers in the Philippines; conduct and has not been convicted of any offense involving moral
Adopt an official seal of the Board; turpitude;
Look into the conditions affecting the practice of the teaching Be a holder of the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in
profession and whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be Education and preferably a holder of a master's or doctorate degree in
deemed proper for the enhancement and maintenance of high education, or their equivalents, from a university, school, college,
professional and ethical standards of the profession; academy or institute duly constituted, recognized and/or accredited by
Ensure that all educational institutions offering elementary and the Philippine government;
secondary education comply with the essential requirements for Be a professional teacher with a valid certificate of registration and
curricula, faculty and facilities for the elementary and secondary valid professional license, save those members who shall compose the
levels; first Board for Professional Teachers;
Investigate such violations of this Act, the rules and the code of Has been a professional teacher in the active practice of the teaching
ethical and professional standards for professional teachers as it may profession for at least ten (10) years in the elementary and secondary
come to the knowledge of the Board, and for this purpose, to issue level; and
subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of Not be an official or member of the faculty of, nor have pecuniary
witnesses and the production of documents in connection therewith; interest in any university, college, school, or institution conferring a
and bachelor's degree in education or its equivalents for at least three (3)
Discharge such other powers, duties and functions as the Board may years prior to his appointment, and neither connected with a review
deem necessary for the practice of the teaching profession and the center or with any group or association where review classes or lectures
upgrading, enhancement, development and growth of education in in preparation for the licensure examination are offered or conducted.
the Philippines. Provided, however, That, the membership to the Board shall be evenly
SEC. 7. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold distributed to cover all levels of education, including equitable
office for a term of three (3) years from the date they assume office: representation of the different fields of specialization.
Provided, That the first appointees to the Board under this Act shall
hold office according to the following terms: one (1) member shall SEC. 9. Compensation of the Board. - The chairman, vice-chairman,
serve for one (1) year; one (1) member for two (2) years; the and members of the Board shall receive compensation comparable to
chairman, vice-chairman, and one (1) member for three (3) years. the compensation received by existing regulatory boards under the
Vacancies shall be served for the unexpired term only. No person Professional Regulation Commission, computed on the basis of the
who has served for two (2) consecutive terms shall be eligible for number of examinees/candidates.
 SEC. 14. Scope of Examination. - The examinations for the elementary
SEC. 10. Supervision of the Board and Custodian of its Records. - and secondary school teachers shall be separate. The examination for
The Board shall be under the supervision and control of the teachers in the elementary level shall consist of two (2) parts, namely:
Commission. All records, including applications for examination, professional education and general education. The examination for
examination papers and results, minutes of deliberation, teachers in the secondary level shall consist of three (3) parts, namely:
administrative cases and investigative cases and investigations professional education, general education, and field of specialization.
involving professional teachers shall be kept by the Commission.
SEC. 15. Qualification Requirements of Applicants. - No applicant
SEC. 11. Secretariat and Support Services. - The Professional shall be admitted to take the examination unless, on the date of filing of
Regulation Commission, through its chairman, shall provide the the application, he shall have complied with the following
secretariat and other support services to implement effectively the requirements:
provisions of this Act. A citizen of the Philippines or an alien whose country has reciprocity
with the Philippines in the practice of the teaching profession;
SEC. 12. Removal of a Board Member. - The chairman or any At least eighteen (18) years of age;
member of the Board may be removed by the President of the In good health and of good reputation with high moral values;
Philippines upon recommendation of the Commission for neglect of Has not been convicted by final judgment by a court for an offense
duty, incompetence, unprofessional, unethical, immoral or involving moral turpitude;
dishonorable conduct, commission or toleration of irregularities in A graduate of a school, college or university recognized by the
the examination, after having been given the opportunity to defend government and possesses the minimum educational qualifications, as
himself in a proper administrative investigation. follows:
For teachers in preschool, a bachelor's degree in early childhood
In the course of investigation, the President may preventively education (BECED) or its equivalent;
suspend the respondent. For teachers in the elementary grades, a bachelor's degree in elementary
education (BSEED) or its equivalent;
Article III For teachers in the secondary grades, a bachelor's degree in education
Examination and Registration or its equivalent with a major and minor, or a bachelor's degree in arts
and sciences with at least ten (10) units in professional education; and
SEC. 13. Examination, Registration and License Required. - Except For teachers of vocational and two-year technical courses, a bachelor's
as otherwise specifically allowed under the provisions of this Act, degree in the field of specialization or its equivalent, with at least
all applicants for registration as professional teachers shall be eighteen (18) units in professional education.
required to undergo a written examination which shall be given at SEC. 16. Report of the Results of the Examination. - The Board shall,
least once a year in such places and dates as the Board may within one hundred twenty (120) days after the examination, report the
determine upon approval by the Commission. A valid certificate of ratings obtained by each candidate to the Professional Regulation
registration and a valid professional license from the Commission Commission for approval and appropriate action.
are required before any person is allowed to practice as a
professional teacher in the Philippines, except as otherwise allowed SEC. 17. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional
under this Act. License. - The registration of a professional teacher commences from
the date his name is enrolled in the roster of professional teachers.
Every registrant who has satisfactorily met all the requirements Failure of any permanent teacher to pass the merit examination shall
specified in this Act shall, upon payment of the registration fee, be not, however, be used as a ground for his/her dismissal or demotion.
issued a certificate of registration as a professional teacher bearing
the full name of the registrant with serial number and date of SEC. 21. Incentives. - Teachers who pass the merit examination shall:
issuance signed by the chairman of the Commission and the Be awarded a diploma of merit by the Board;
chairman, vice-chairman, and members of the Board, stamped with Earn merit points for purposes of promotion in salary or to a higher
the official seal, as evidence that the person named therein is entitled position or grade level;
to practice the profession with all the rights and privileges Be placed in the priority list for government scholarship; and
appurtenant thereto. The certificate shall remain in full force and Enjoy such other benefits as may be promulgated by the Board.
effect until withdrawn, suspended and/or revoked in accordance with Similar incentives shall be given to teachers who make inventions,
law. develop new methods of teaching, write a book or books and create
works of artistic merit.
A professional license signed by the chairman of the Commission
and bearing the registration number and date of issuance thereof and SEC. 22. Integration of the Teaching Profession. - The teaching
the month of expiry or renewability shall likewise be issued to every profession shall be integrated into one national organization which shall
registrant who has paid the annual registration fees for three (3) be recognized by the Board and the Commission as the one and only
consecutive years. This license shall serve as evidence that the integrated and accredited association of professional teachers. Upon
licensee can lawfully practice his profession until the expiration of registration with the Board, every professional teacher shall be
its validity. encouraged to become a member of the integrated national
organization. Those who have been registered with the Board but are
SEC. 18. Oath Before Practice. - Every registrant shall be required not members of the said integrated organization shall be allowed to
to take his professional oath before practicing as a professional register as members of the said integrated organization within three (3)
teacher. years after the effectivity of this Act. Membership in the integrated
organization shall not be a bar to membership in other associations of
SEC. 19. Periodic Merit Examination of Teachers. - To encourage the teaching profession. The professional teachers shall receive the
continuing professional growth and development and to provide benefits and privileges appurtenant to their membership in the said
additional basis for merit promotion, in addition to their integrated and accredited organization of professional teachers only
performance rating, teachers may take an oral and written upon payment of the required membership fees and dues.
examination at least once in five (5) years as basis for merit
promotion. In taking this examination, no fee shall be required. SEC. 23. Revocation of the Certificate of Registration, Suspension from
the Practice of the Teaching Profession, and Cancellation of Temporary
SEC. 20. Failure to Pass the Merit Examination. - If a teacher fails to or Special Permit. - The Board shall have the power, after due notice
pass the merit examination, he or she shall be allowed to take the and hearing, to suspend or revoke the certificate of registration of any
examination for a second time. Should he or she fail to pass the registrant, to reprimand or to cancel the temporary/special permit of a
merit examination for the second time, then he or she shall be holder thereof who is exempt from registration, for any of the following
required to take a DECS accredited refresher course or program causes:
before being allowed to retake the examination. Conviction for any criminal offense by a court of competent
jurisdiction;
Immoral, unprofessional or dishonorable conduct;
Declaration by a court of competent jurisdiction for being mentally Sports, and the integrated and accredited organization of professional
unsound or insane; teachers.
Malpractice, gross incompetence, gross negligence or serious
ignorance of the practice of the teaching profession; SEC. 26. Registration and Exception. - Two (2) years after the
The use of or perpetration of any fraud or deceit in obtaining a effectivity of this Act, no person shall engage in teaching and/ or act as
certificate of registration, professional license or special/temporary a professional teacher as defined in this Act, whether in the preschool,
permit; elementary or secondary level, unless he is a duly registered
Chronic inebriety or habitual use of drugs; professional teacher, and a holder of a valid certificate of registration
Violation of any of the provisions of this Act, the rules and and a valid professional license or a holder of a valid special/temporary
regulations and other policies of the Board and the Commission, and permit.
the code of ethical and professional standards for professional
teachers; and Upon approval of the application and payment of the prescribed fees,
Unjustified or willful failure to attend seminars, workshops, the certificate of registration and professional license as a professional
conferences and the like or the continuing education program teacher shall be issued without examination as required in this Act to a
prescribed by the Board and the Commission. qualified applicant, who at the time of the approval of this Act, is:
The decision of the Board to revoke or suspend a certificate may be A holder of a certificate of eligibility as a teacher issued by the Civil
appealed to the regional trial court of the place where the Board Service Commission and the Department of Education, Culture and
holds office within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the said decision Sports; or
or of the denial of the motion for reconsideration filed in due time. A registered professional teacher with the National Board for Teachers
under the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS)
SEC. 24. Registration by Reciprocity. - No teacher of a foreign pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1006; or
nationality shall be admitted to the examination, or be given a Not qualified under paragraphs one and two but with any of the
certificate of registration or be entitled to any of the rights and following qualifications, to wit:
privileges provided under this Act, unless the country or state of An elementary or secondary teacher for five (5) years in good standing
which he is a subject permits Filipino professional teachers to and a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Education or its equivalent; or
practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as subjects or An elementary or secondary teacher for three (3) years in good standing
citizens of said country or state: Provided, That the requirements of and a holder of a master's degree in education or its equivalent.
certification of teachers with said foreign state or country are Provided, That they shall be given two (2) years from the organization
substantially the same as those required and contemplated under this of the Board for professional teachers within which to register and be
Act: Provided, further, That the laws of such state or country grant included in the roster of professional teachers: Provided, further, That
the same privilege to Filipino professional teachers on the same those incumbent teachers who are not qualified to register without
basis as the subject or citizens of such foreign country or state. examination under this Act or who, albeit qualified, were unable to
register within the two-year period shall be issued a five-year temporary
SEC. 25. Roster of Professional Teachers. - A roster of professional or special permit from the time the Board is organized within which to
teachers containing the names and addresses of professional register after passing the examination and complying with the
teachers, date of registration or issuance of certificate, and other data requirements provided in this Act and be included in the roster of
which in the opinion of the Board may appear pertinent shall be professional teachers: Provided, furthermore, That those who have
maintained. Copies of the roster shall be provided by the failed the licensure examination for professional teachers shall be
Commission to the Board, the Department of Education, Culture and eligible as para- teachers and as such, shall be issued by the Board a
special or temporary permit, and shall be assigned by the cause or be responsible for the commission of any of the above-
Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) to schools as enumerated acts.
it may determine under the circumstances.
SEC. 29. Appropriations. - Such sums as may be necessary to carry out
Article IV the provisions of this Act shall be included in the 1996 General
Provisions Relative to the Practice of the Teaching Profession Appropriations Act and thereafter.

SEC. 27. Inhibition Against the Practice of the Teaching Profession. SEC. 30. Implementing Guidelines. - The Board shall formulate and
- Except as otherwise allowed under this Act, no person shall adopt the necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of the
practice or offer to practice the teaching profession in the provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days of its approval.
Philippines or be appointed as teacher to any position calling for a
teaching position without having previously obtained a valid The Board shall submit to both Committees on Education, Arts, and
certificate of registration and a valid professional license from the Culture; and the Committees on Civil Service and Professional
Commission. Regulation of the Senate and House of Representatives, copies of the
implementing rules and guidelines within thirty (30) days after its
SEC. 28. Penal Provisions. - The following shall be punishable by a promulgation.
fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) nor more than
Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000) or imprisonment of not less than Any violation of this section shall render the official/s concerned liable
six (6) months nor more than five (5) years, or both, at the discretion under Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the "Code of
of the court: Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees" and
Any person who practices the teaching profession in the Philippines other pertinent administrative and/or penal laws.
without being certified in accordance with the provisions of this Act;
Any person who represents or attempts to use as his own certificate SEC. 31. Transitory Provision. - All incumbent teachers in both the
of registration that of another; public and private sector not otherwise certified as professional teachers
Any person who gives any false, or fraudulent evidence of any kind by virtue of this Act, shall be given five (5) years temporary certificates
to the Board or any member thereof in obtaining a certificate of from the time the Board for Professional Teachers is organized within
registration as teacher; which to qualify as required by this Act and be included in the roster of
Any person who impersonates any registrant of the same or different professionals.
name;
Any person who uses a revoked or suspended certificate of Provided, however, That the Professional Board Examination for
registration; Teachers (PBET) shall still be administered by the Civil Service
Any person who, in connection with his name, otherwise assumes, Commission and the Department of Education, Culture and Sports for
uses or advertises any title or description tending to convey or the year 1995.
conveys the impression that he is a teacher without holding a valid
certificate; and SEC. 32. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or
Any person who violates or who abets the violation of any of the provision of this Act or the application of such section or provision to
provisions of this Act. any person or circumstance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, no
The penalty of fine or imprisonment or both, as provided in this other section or provision of this Act shall be affected thereby.
section, shall also apply to any school or school official who shall
SEC. 33. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees,
executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 34. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen
(15) days following its complete publication in the Official Gazette
or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved, December 16, 1994.