A TESDA accredited competency assessment center is where you prove your skills and earn a National Certificate (NC). This guide explains how to find one for your qualification, what to bring, how much it costs, what happens on assessment day, and how to verify and renew your certificate.
- Who runs them
- Accredited centers + TESDA offices
- You earn
- NC or COC
- NC validity
- 5 years
- Official list
- tesda.gov.ph
What is a TESDA accredited assessment center?
TESDA certifies workers through competency assessment: you are tested against the standards in the Training Regulations (TR) of a qualification such as Cookery NC II or Bookkeeping NC III. The assessment is done at an accredited assessment center — usually a school, training center or company facility that TESDA has accredited for that specific qualification — or through a TESDA regional, provincial or district office.
Only qualifications with promulgated Training Regulations can be assessed. If you pass, you receive a National Certificate (NC) for the full qualification, or a Certificate of Competency (COC) for one or more units of it.
How to find an assessment center near you
- Open TESDA’s official list of accredited assessment centers at tesda.gov.ph/AssessmentCenters.
- Filter by your region and province, and look for a center accredited for your exact qualification — a center accredited for Cookery NC II cannot assess Housekeeping NC II unless it is accredited for that too.
- Call or message the center before going. Ask about the next assessment schedule, the current fee and any extra requirements.
- If you cannot find one, ask your TESDA provincial or district office. They can point you to an active center or schedule you themselves.
National Certificates are issued only by TESDA to people who passed the assessment. TESDA has warned the public about fake NCs being sold online. If anyone offers you an NC without an assessment, report it to TESDA (hotline 8887-7777).
Requirements: what to prepare
- Accomplished assessment application form (ask the center for its copy)
- Completed Self-Assessment Guide (SAG) for your qualification
- Three colored passport-size photos, white background, with collar, name written on the back
- Valid ID
- Assessment fee (cash or as the center accepts)
- Any extra document the center asks for (for example, a training certificate)
What is the Self-Assessment Guide? It is a short form where you check, unit by unit, whether you believe you can already perform each task of the qualification. It helps you and the assessor see if you are ready — be honest, because the practical test will show it anyway.
Step-by-step assessment process
- Find an accredited assessment centerChoose a center accredited for your qualification, or go to a TESDA district or provincial office near you.
- Submit your applicationHand in the accomplished application form, your completed Self-Assessment Guide for the qualification, and your photos.
- Pay the assessment feePay at the center’s cashier. You receive an Official Receipt and an Admission Slip with your assessment date and venue.
- Take the assessmentBring your Admission Slip on the scheduled day. The assessment checks whether you can actually perform the job to the standard of the Training Regulations.
- Get your result (CARS)Receive your Competency Assessment Result Summary (CARS) at the center.
- Apply for certification and claim your NCIf you are competent, apply for certification at the TESDA office covering the assessment venue. The NC or COC can be claimed seven working days after you apply.
How much is the TESDA assessment fee?
Fees are set per qualification, so there is no single price. To give you an idea, these are the fees published by one TESDA-accredited center for some popular qualifications:
| Qualification | Assessment fee |
|---|---|
| Cookery NC II | ₱1,907 |
| Bread and Pastry Production NC II | ₱1,720 |
| Bartending NC II | ₱1,399 |
| Barista NC II | ₱1,295 |
| Housekeeping NC II | ₱1,108 |
| Computer System Servicing NC II | ₱1,049 |
| Visual Graphic Design NC III | ₱932 |
| Events Management Services NC III | ₱905 |
| Food and Beverage Services NC II | ₱882 |
| Bookkeeping NC III | ₱841 |
If you are a TESDA scholar, your scholarship may already cover the assessment. Ask your training provider.
On assessment day
- Arrive early with your Admission Slip, ID and anything the center told you to bring (some qualifications require proper uniform or safety gear).
- Expect a combination of demonstration (you perform the tasks), oral questioning and, in some qualifications, a written test.
- The assessor follows the competency standards of the Training Regulations. Read them beforehand — and if you studied on the TESDA Online Program, review your notes from each unit.
After the assessment: results and certification
You receive your Competency Assessment Result Summary (CARS). If you are found competent, apply for certification at the TESDA office with jurisdiction over the assessment venue; the NC/COC can be claimed after seven working days. Bring the CARS, the Official Receipt and a valid ID. A representative can claim it for you with a Special Power of Attorney (SPA).
If you are not yet competent in some units, ask the center about reassessment options and fees.
NC validity, renewal and verification
| Need | What to do |
|---|---|
| Validity | A National Certificate is valid for 5 years. |
| Renewal | Apply at the TESDA office that issued it. Bring the application form, your original NC/COC, three passport-size photos and a certificate of at least 12 months of work or teaching experience during the validity period. If the Training Regulations were updated, you must be assessed again under the new TR. |
| Lost NC | Letter of request, notarized Affidavit of Loss and one colored passport-size photo. |
| Damaged or wrong entry | Letter of request, the original NC/COC and a photo (plus a certified copy of your passport or birth certificate for corrections). |
| Online verification | Search TESDA’s Registry of Certified Workers. |
| Authentication (CAV) | At the issuing office, with the original and two photocopies, for a ₱50 fee. |
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a TESDA accredited assessment center?
Use TESDA’s official list at tesda.gov.ph/AssessmentCenters, filter by region, province and qualification, then contact the center to confirm its schedule and fee. TESDA provincial and district offices can also help.
What are the requirements for TESDA assessment?
An accomplished application form, a completed Self-Assessment Guide for your qualification, and three colored passport-size photos with white background and collar, with your name on the back. Centers may ask for additional documents.
How much is the TESDA assessment fee?
It depends on the qualification and the center. Published examples range from under ₱1,000 to around ₱1,900 for popular NC II and NC III qualifications. Confirm the current fee with the center.
How long is a TESDA National Certificate valid?
Five years. To renew, apply at the issuing TESDA office with proof of at least 12 months of relevant work or teaching experience during the validity period.
Can I take the assessment without training?
The assessment measures competency, not attendance. However, centers usually expect you to be ready, which is why the Self-Assessment Guide is required. Training — including free online courses — greatly improves your chances.
How do I verify a TESDA certificate online?
Search the TESDA Registry of Certified Workers on tesda.gov.ph using the holder’s details.
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Sources: TESDA — Assessment and Certification · TESDA — fake NC warning and registry · LPU Batangas — sample fees. Disclaimer: Courses TESDA is an independent guide, not TESDA. Information may contain errors or change without notice — always verify with official sources before making decisions.