DepEd Teacher 1 Requirements 2026: Complete Document Checklist

Every ranking season, applicants lose points — or lose their slot entirely — not because they lack qualifications, but because of a folder problem: a missing photocopy, an outdated PDS form, a certificate that never got requested from a previous employer. The ranking evaluates what is in your folder, not what you have somewhere at home.

This is the complete document checklist for the 2026 DepEd Teacher 1 application under DepEd Order No. 7, s. 2023, plus the preparation mistakes that trip up applicants every cycle.

Companion guide: for the full points system, process, and RQA explanation, read our DepEd Teacher 1 Ranking Guide first. This article is the document-preparation half.

The Core Requirements (DO 7, s. 2023)

1. Letter of Intent / Application Letter

Addressed to the Head of Office or the designated HR officer — check your division's Call for Applications for the exact addressee and position title. Getting the addressee wrong is a sloppy first impression on page one of your folder.

Include: the position and level you are applying for (Kindergarten, Elementary, JHS, or SHS with your specialization), and — if you are a carry-over applicant under DO 21, s. 2024 — your explicit intent to retain your previous scores or update specific credentials.

2. Personal Data Sheet (CS Form No. 212, Revised 2017)

The single most botched requirement. Common errors:

• Using an old version of the form — it must be the Revised 2017 edition (download fresh from the CSC website; do not reuse a years-old file from a friend)
• Leaving items blank instead of writing "N/A"
• Missing the Work Experience Sheet attachment when you have experience
• Unsigned, or missing the photo and thumbmark where required

Fill it out completely, honestly, and legibly. The PDS is a sworn document — inconsistencies with your supporting papers create problems later.

3. Photocopy of Valid PRC License/ID

Your license must be current. If your PRC ID is nearing expiry, renew before applying — see our PRC Renewal Guide. New passers whose physical ID is still in process should check their division's memo for whether proof of registration is accepted meanwhile.

4. Photocopy of Certificate of Rating (LET/PBET/LEPT)

Your board rating converts to up to 10 ranking points, so this document is not a formality. Lost yours? Request a certification of rating through LERIS/PRC before the application window — processing takes time.

5. Transcript of Records and Diploma

Include certificates of completed graduate and post-graduate units or degrees if you have them — these earn Education points. Master's units sitting unreported in your drawer are ranking points thrown away.

6. Certificates of Training

Only training from the last five years earns points, and it must be relevant (curriculum and instruction, or specialized training related to the position; for SHS, training relevant to your strand). Arrange them newest-first and make sure each certificate shows the number of hours — hours are what get counted.

7. Certificates of Employment / Service Records

For applicants with teaching experience — private school experience counts, so request a Certificate of Employment from every school you taught at, stating inclusive dates and position. Former employers can be slow; request these weeks before the application window, not the night before.

8. Performance Ratings (if applicable)

For applicants with prior government service or where the division requires it — typically your most recent performance review from a previous teaching engagement.

Division-Specific Extras (Read the Memo!)

DO 7, s. 2023 sets the core list, but each Schools Division Office adds its own logistics in its Call for Applications. Real examples from actual division memoranda: specific folder colors with tabbing requirements, prescribed document order, dress codes for submission day, and omnibus certifications of document authenticity.

The rule is simple: your division's memorandum is the final word. Download it, print it, and check off every line. An applicant who follows the memo exactly signals the kind of attention to detail schools want in a teacher.

Smart Preparation Tips

Prepare originals AND photocopies. Photocopies go in the folder; originals come with you for verification on submission day.

Secure PSA documents early. Some divisions require PSA birth certificates (and marriage certificates for married women applicants). PSA delivery takes days to weeks.

Make a personal master file. Scan every document — license, rating, TOR, every training certificate — into one cloud folder now. Under DO 21, s. 2024, next year's update only needs your new documents, and a maintained file makes annual updating a 30-minute task instead of a scramble.

Carry-over applicants submit less. If you were in a previous CAR-RQA and choose to update, you only need: application letter, PDS, checklist of requirements, and the updated documents (new certificates, new experience). If retaining all scores, state it in your letter.

Never pay anyone. No fee, no fixer, no recommendation letter earns a single point. The Open Ranking System lets you witness your own paper evaluation.

Quick Checklist (Print This)

• ☐ Letter of intent (correct addressee, position, level; carry-over intent if applicable)
• ☐ PDS — CS Form 212, Revised 2017, complete + Work Experience Sheet
• ☐ Photocopy of valid PRC License/ID (renewed if near expiry)
• ☐ Photocopy of Certificate of Rating
• ☐ TOR and Diploma (+ graduate units/degree certificates)
• ☐ Training certificates (last 5 years, hours indicated, relevant)
• ☐ Certificates of Employment / service records
• ☐ Performance ratings (if applicable)
• ☐ Division-specific items per your SDO's memo (folder, tabs, order, PSA documents)
• ☐ Originals on hand for verification

Frequently Asked Questions

What PDS version does DepEd require?

CS Form No. 212, Revised 2017, with the Work Experience Sheet if you have work history. Download it fresh from the CSC website.

Do training certificates older than five years count?

No — DO 7, s. 2023 credits relevant training acquired in the last five years, with points based on hours.

Does private school experience need documentation?

Yes. Request Certificates of Employment showing inclusive dates and position from each school — undocumented experience earns zero points.

I'm a carry-over applicant from last year's RQA. What do I submit?

Under DO 21, s. 2024: application letter (stating your intent), PDS, checklist, and only your updated documents. If retaining all scores, say so in your letter.

My PRC ID is still being processed. Can I apply?

Check your division's memo — many accept proof of registration in process for new passers, but the policy is division-specific.

Where do I submit my folder?

To the Schools Division Office named in the Call for Applications, within the stated window. Hiring is decentralized — there is no central DepEd application portal.

Next Steps

Documents ready? Now win where the points actually are — the demo teaching (35 points) and Teacher Reflection Form (25 points). Full strategy: DepEd Teacher 1 Ranking Guide 2026.

Still preparing for the LET? Your board rating is worth 10 ranking points — review free at LisensyaPrep.