# How to Become a Master Teacher Under DepEd's ECP

Master Teacher I–V under DO 024, s. 2025: a master's degree, PPST indicator counts, the 1:5 and 1:3 ratios, and the MT III special assessment.

This is the Markdown copy of [How to Become a Master Teacher Under DepEd's ECP](https://nash.com.ph/blog/master-teacher-reclassification-ecp), an article on the NASH Reviewer Blog by Mark Anthony Llego, published Oct 31, 2026, updated Nov 4, 2026. Topics: School leadership, Aspiring school heads. NASH Reviewer is an independent practice platform not affiliated with DepEd, BHROD, or NEAP.

To become a Master Teacher under DepEd's Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System, a teacher must meet the qualification standards adopted by [DepEd Order No. 019, s. 2025](https://www.deped.gov.ph/2025/06/24/june-24-2025-do-019-s-2025-amended-qualification-standards-for-teacher-i-iii-master-teacher-i-iv-and-school-principal-i-iv-positions-and-the-qualification-standards-for-newly-created-t/), starting with a master's degree, and the performance requirement of [DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2025](https://www.deped.gov.ph/2025/08/28/august-28-2025-do-024-s-2025-guidelines-on-the-implementation-of-the-expanded-career-progression-system-for-teachers-and-school-heads-in-the-department-of-education/): an IPCRF rating of at least Very Satisfactory plus a set number of PPST indicators rated Very Satisfactory or Outstanding (Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.a). The applicant must then reach 50 of 100 points in the HRMPSB's comparative assessment (Encl. No. 2, Secs. 34 and 42), and the school must have room under the Master Teacher ratio of one item for every five teachers, or every three in some schools (Encl. No. 1, Sec. 29). Reclassification climbs in short steps: under [DepEd-DBM Joint Circular No. 01, s. 2025](https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/DepEd-DBM-JC-No.-01-s.-2025.pdf), Master Teacher I is reached from Teacher V, VI or VII, MT II only from MT I, MT III from MT I or II, MT IV only from MT III, and MT V from MT III or IV (Form No. 1-A).

As of 2026-10-31, FY 2026 reclassification still runs under EO 174, DO 024 and DO 034, s. 2025 and JC 01, s. 2025, for positions up to Master Teacher V (DM-OUHRODI-2026-0802, Sec. III(1)). Republic Act No. 12288 adds a Master Teacher VI, but it is not yet operational: no DepEd order implements it, there are no qualification standards for MT VI, and DepEd's ECP issuances do not give its effective date.

Below, "the FAQ" is DepEd's ECP FAQs, updated November 6, 2025 (Annex A to DM-OUHROD-2025-3003, 24 October 2025), [posted on deped.gov.ph](https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/ECP-FAQs-Updated_1162025.pdf); "DM 0802" is DM-OUHRODI-2026-0802 (13 March 2026); and "the March 2026 deck" is DepEd's orientation on it (March 24, 2026). Pay, full qualification tables and scoring have their own guides: [salary grades](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ecp-salary-grades-teachers-principals), [qualification standards](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ecp-qualification-standards-do-019-2025) and the [point system](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ecp-point-system-hrmpsb-scoring).

## Key findings

- **A master's degree is required at every MT level:** "those who are not master's degree holders are not qualified" (DepEd ECP FAQs, updated November 6, 2025, Q66). DO 019, s. 2025 adds 5 years of teaching, plus 1 to 4 years of instructional supervision for MT II to MT V (pp. 16–18).
- **MT I, MT III and MT V require all 37 indicators of a stage:** 21 COIs at Outstanding and 16 NCOIs (8 at Very Satisfactory, 8 at Outstanding), at the Proficient, Highly Proficient and Distinguished levels respectively. MT II and MT IV need at least 10 COIs at Outstanding, 5 NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 5 at Outstanding (DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.a).
- **One MT item for every five teachers, or every three.** It is 1:5 per elementary school, per subject in junior high, per track in senior high, and per division for SNEd and ALS teachers; 1:3 per subject in Regional Science High Schools, and 1:3 per school in multigrade schools and hardship posts (DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 1, Sec. 29; JC 01, s. 2025, Sec. 9.1).
- **MT IV is reached only from MT III, and MT II only from MT I** (DepEd-DBM JC No. 01, s. 2025, Form No. 1-A, PDF pp. 24–26).
- **MT III incumbents have had a route to MT IV and V since March 2026.** DepEd's October 2025 answer was "Not yet" (FAQ Q64). DM 0802 created a "special assessment": SY 2025–2026 Distinguished COIs, classroom observations with the COT for Distinguished Teachers, and a Reflective Journal (Sec. V(5)). No DepEd Order provides it.
- **Nine is the most one school year supplies.** The SY 2025–2026 PMES covered nine classroom observation indicators (DM-OSEC-OUHRODI-2026-0001, Sec. A), so a perfect SY 2025–2026 IPCRF leaves an MT III one Distinguished COI short of MT IV's 10 and 12 short of MT V's 21 (computed). DepEd's own example has nine (DepEd orientation deck on FY 2026 reclassification, March 24, 2026, p. 22).
- **Master Teacher VI exists only on paper.** RA 12288 directs DBM to create it (Sec. 5). Its IRR was signed August 17, 2026, but as of October 31, 2026, the IRR had not been published in the Official Gazette or on deped.gov.ph, so its effective date is not yet known. The IRR places MT VI at SG 23 (Sec. 5). DepEd's August 2026 deck targets its qualification standards for "Q1 of 2027" (DepEd orientation deck on ECP funding strategies, August 24, 2026, p. 34). That is a target, not a result.

## Master Teacher I to V at a glance

[Executive Order No. 174, s. 2022](https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2022/06jun/20220623-EO-174-RRD.pdf) created the Classroom Teaching Career Line of Master Teacher I to V and the new title MT V (Secs. 2 and 5).

| Position | SG | PPST career stage (DO 024) | Reclassified from (JC Form No. 1-A) | Equivalent position (EO 174, Sec. 4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Teacher I | 18 | Highly Proficient | Teacher V, VI or VII (SG 15–17) | None; at MT I a teacher chooses a line |
| Master Teacher II | 19 | Highly Proficient | Master Teacher I | School Principal I |
| Master Teacher III | 20 | Distinguished | Master Teacher I or II | School Principal II |
| Master Teacher IV | 21 | Distinguished | Master Teacher III | School Principal III |
| Master Teacher V | 22 | Distinguished | Master Teacher III or IV | School Principal IV |

*Sources: DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 1, Secs. 12 and 21.b; DepEd-DBM JC No. 01, s. 2025, Form No. 1-A (Elementary and Junior High School, PDF pp. 24–26; the Senior High School tables follow the same pattern, e.g. PDF p. 30); EO 174, s. 2022, Sec. 4.*

On reclassification, teachers "shall receive a salary rate equivalent to the 1st step of the new position" (JC 01, s. 2025, Sec. 7.6.1.1); see the [salary grade guide](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ecp-salary-grades-teachers-principals).

Master Teachers coach, mentor and supervise instruction, rate other teachers under the PMES, and are rated by the School Head (DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 1, Sec. 36.b). On load, the two texts differ in kind. The Joint Circular says "Master Teachers shall have regular teaching loads, subject to the DepEd guidelines on teacher workload", and fixes "six (6) hours of actual classroom teaching and two (2) hours of teacher ancillary services" (Sec. 9.2.4); DO 024's "at most six (6) hours per day" is a ceiling that would allow less, and its Department Head Designate "shall have three (3) hours of teaching load" (Secs. 36.b.iii and 36.c.iv). The JC is a joint DBM-DepEd issuance that a DepEd Order alone cannot amend, so it governs the general MT load of six hours; DO 024's three hours applies only to a Master Teacher designated as Department Head, and no later JC reconciles the two. See [Department Head, Assistant School Head and MT Duties](https://nash.com.ph/blog/department-head-assistant-school-head-designates) and [How Many Hours Must DepEd Teachers Teach a Day?](https://nash.com.ph/blog/deped-teacher-six-hour-teaching-load)

A vacated Master Teacher position is published as a natural vacancy and must be filled within one year; "If the position remains vacant after the one (1) year period", it is converted to Teacher I (DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 1, Sec. 26).

## Who can be reclassified to each Master Teacher level

DO 024 makes reclassification the main road, "without precluding promotions through natural vacancy", and provides that "Promotion to higher positions shall be non-hierarchical; provided that the following conditions are met" (Encl. No. 1, Sec. 20):

- **No skipping a career stage:** "Under no circumstance shall an applicant be allowed to jump to higher career stage/s for promotion without progressing through each of the career stages" (Sec. 20.a). A Teacher III must hold a Proficient position (Teacher IV to VII) before any Master Teacher position.
- **At most three salary grades:** "Promotion, whether through reclassification or natural vacancy, shall not exceed three (3) salary grades higher than the applicant's present position", unless a CSC exemption applies (Sec. 20.b).

The limit is DepEd's rule and the Joint Circular's, built into the "FROM" columns of Form No. 1-A: Teacher IV (SG 14) is not a FROM position for MT I (SG 18). It is not the CSC's rule for reclassification: the 2025 ORAOHRA says the limit "shall not apply" to "e. Reclassification of position" (CSC Resolution No. 2500358, Sec. 101). The FAQ cites "Section 100 of 2025 ORAOHRA" (Q9); cite DO 024, Sec. 20.b and JC Form No. 1-A instead.

**The FROM columns are narrower at the MT levels.** DO 024 allows "Advancement to any position in the next Career Stage" if the applicant also meets the requirements of the stage's entry position (Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.a.iii): MT I for Highly Proficient, MT III for Distinguished (FAQ Q48). The FAQ's example, Teacher II to Teacher V, is on Form No. 1-A. But Teacher VII (SG 17) is not a FROM position for MT II (SG 19), nor MT II for MT IV (SG 21), though both are within three grades. The IRR of EO 174 frames MT II as a step for "Teachers holding the position of Master Teacher I" (Sec. 14), and DO 024's System of Ranking Positions lists only MT I as next in rank to MT II and only MT III to MT IV (Appendix 5). But it also lists Teacher IV as next in rank to MT I, beyond the three-grade limit, so it shows ranking, not who may be reclassified. No DepEd document gives an example of skipping MT I or MT III. Read alone, DO 024's Sec. 20 and Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.a.iii would allow Teacher VII to MT II (one stage, two grades); Form No. 1-A does not list it. No text says which governs; since the DBM classifies positions against the Joint Circular's forms, the safer course is to plan to pass through MT I and MT III.

Crossing a stage (the FAQ's examples are Teacher VII to MT I and MT II to MT III) needs three rating periods "since all 37 indicators must be met"; within a stage, one to three may be accepted (FAQ Q49).

RA 12288 makes Teacher I to Master Teacher I a single base, where "Promotions within the base positions shall be non-hierarchical" (Sec. 5). DO 024 also calls promotion non-hierarchical, but only if no career stage is skipped (Encl. No. 1, Sec. 20.a); the Act's base runs across three of DO 024's PPST stages with no such condition, and DepEd's FAQ, issued after the Act, still answers "No." to skipping career stages (Q11). The law governs once it is effective, but no DepEd issuance yet reconciles the two, and FY 2026 follows DO 024 (see [What RA 12288 Changes](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ra-12288-career-progression-changes)).

Natural vacancies follow [DO 020, s. 2024](https://www.deped.gov.ph/2024/12/21/december-20-2024-do-020-s-2024-guidelines-on-the-recruitment-selection-and-appointment-to-higher-teaching-positions/) (DO 024, Encl. No. 1, Sec. 21.c.ii), with the same three-grade limit.

## The master's degree and other qualification standards

DO 019, s. 2025 "formally adopts CSC Resolution No. 2500471 dated May 28, 2025" (para. 2). For elementary and secondary Master Teachers it requires (pp. 16–18):

- **Education:** "Master's degree in Education, or Educational Leadership, or Educational Management, or relevant subject or learning area", the same for MT I to V.
- **Experience:** 5 years of teaching for MT I; MT II to MT V add 1, 2, 3 and 4 years of "relevant experience in instructional supervision and technical assistance to teachers".
- **Training,** acquired within the last 5 years: 24 hours in Curriculum, Pedagogy or Subject Specialization, plus 8 hours in Instructional Supervision (MT I–III) or 16 hours (MT IV–V); or the NEAP program for Career Stage III (MT I–II) or Career Stage IV (MT III–V).
- **Eligibility:** RA 1080, as amended (Teacher-Elementary/Secondary, or Teacher-Secondary for secondary posts).

In Senior High School, a permanent Academic Track Master Teacher needs a "Master's degree in relevant strand/subject plus 18 professional units in Education" (pp. 22–25); the other tracks name their own fields, and the TVL track uses NC II and TMC I in place of training hours (pp. 47–50). The full tables are in the [qualification standards guide](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ecp-qualification-standards-do-019-2025).

The master's degree is a floor, not a scoring point: those without one "are not qualified", while doctoral units or degrees "shall be given corresponding points" (FAQ Q66; DO 034, s. 2025, para. 12).

**Teaching outside your specialization.** A teacher applying for a Master Teacher position "must possess the appropriate academic specialization relevant to the subject, learning area, or track to be considered in the determination of the Master Teacher-to-Teacher ratio for the said subject, learning area, or track". A teacher handling a subject outside that field must have "at least five years of cumulative teaching experience in the specific subject, learning area, or specialization, as evidenced by duly approved Class Programs", shown in the Work Experience Sheet (DO 034, s. 2025, para. 10; FAQ Q44).

**Special Needs Education Master Teachers: two texts.** DO 019 excludes SNET positions: "The existing QS for SST and SNET positions shall remain in effect unless otherwise modified or amended through subsequent issuances" (para. 3). DM 0802 tells SDOs, pending revised SNET standards, to "apply and use the regular QS for teaching and school principal positions under DO No. 19, s. 2025" (Sec. V(1)). DO 019, an Order, outranks the memo; ask your SDO which QS it applies.

## Performance requirements from Master Teacher I to V

At the initial evaluation, before any scoring, an applicant needs "A rating of at least Very Satisfactory in the last rating period covering one (1) year complete performance cycle in the current position", plus the indicator counts of the position "based on at most three (3) rating periods" (DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.a). Missing either disqualifies (Sec. 15.b).

| Position applied for | PPST career stage (as printed) | Classroom Observable Indicators (COIs) | Non-Classroom Observable Indicators (NCOIs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Teacher I | Career Stage III (Highly Proficient) | 21 Proficient COIs at Outstanding | 8 Proficient NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 8 at Outstanding |
| Master Teacher II | Career Stage III | At least 10 Highly Proficient COIs at Outstanding | At least 5 Highly Proficient NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 5 at Outstanding |
| Master Teacher III | Career Stage IV (Distinguished) | 21 Highly Proficient COIs at Outstanding | 8 Highly Proficient NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 8 at Outstanding |
| Master Teacher IV | Career Stage IV | At least 10 Distinguished COIs at Outstanding | At least 5 Distinguished NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 5 at Outstanding |
| Master Teacher V | Career Stage IV | 21 Distinguished COIs at Outstanding | 8 Distinguished NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 8 at Outstanding |

*Source: DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.a (PDF p. 33). The same counts are on the RFTP forms for MT II–III and MT IV–V (DO 024 Annex B-1) and in JC Form No. 1-A.*

![Horizontal stacked bar chart of the PPST indicators each Master Teacher level requires. Master Teacher I: 21 COIs at Outstanding, 8 NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 8 at Outstanding, 37 Proficient indicators. Master Teacher II: at least 10, 5 and 5, at least 20 Highly Proficient indicators. Master Teacher III: 21, 8 and 8, 37 Highly Proficient indicators. Master Teacher IV: at least 10, 5 and 5, at least 20 Distinguished indicators. Master Teacher V: 21, 8 and 8, 37 Distinguished indicators.](https://nash.com.ph/blog/_astro/mt-performance-requirements.D-AHj5F3_1hxWkq.webp)

*Figure 1. PPST indicators each Master Teacher level requires, as printed; MT II and MT IV say "at least". Data: DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.a (PDF p. 33); DepEd-DBM JC No. 01, s. 2025, Form No. 1-A (PDF pp. 24–26). Chart: © 2026 Mark Anthony Llego, NASH Reviewer. [Download the full-resolution chart (PNG)](https://nash.com.ph/blog/charts/career-progression/mt-performance-requirements.png) or [its data (CSV)](https://nash.com.ph/blog/charts/career-progression/mt-performance-requirements.csv).*

The PPST has 37 strands ([DO 42, s. 2017](https://www.deped.gov.ph/2017/08/11/do-42-s-2017-national-adoption-and-implementation-of-the-philippine-professional-standards-for-teachers/)), so 21 COIs plus 16 NCOIs is every indicator at a stage. The entry positions, MT I and MT III, ask for every indicator of the level below, which is why MT III sits at "Career Stage IV (Distinguished)" yet needs Highly Proficient indicators. A rating above the required level counts (FAQ Q46).

Non-teacher applicants (Head Teachers, Assistant School Principals, designated Teachers-in-Charge, School Principals switching lines) need for MT I to V "At least VS in the last three (3) immediately preceding rating periods" (DO 024, Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.b) and are assessed in both COIs and NCOIs (DO 034, s. 2025, para. 20).

### The Distinguished-indicator gap

DO 024 requires Distinguished indicators for MT IV and V, yet no Master Teacher was rated on them through SY 2024–2025: the interim PMES put MT I to IV, and MT V once created, on the "Highly Proficient Teacher Tools" ([DM 017, s. 2025](https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/DM_s2025_017.pdf), para. 7), and DepEd's FAQ says Distinguished indicators "will only be used starting SY 2025-2026" (Q64). Neither DO 024 nor DM 017 said how an MT III could show them. From SY 2025–2026, [DM 089, s. 2025](https://www.deped.gov.ph/2025/10/01/october-1-2025-dm-089-s-2025-guidelines-on-the-multi-year-performance-management-and-evaluation-system-for-teachers-from-school-years-2025-2026-to-2027-2028/) places "Master Teachers III-V" at the Distinguished stage (Table 2), though its Table 10 groups "Master Teachers I-III" as Highly Proficient. The later March 2026 guidance settles SY 2025–2026: MT III to V are rated as Distinguished, on COT levels 5 to 9 ([DM-OSEC-OUHRODI-2026-0001](https://www.deped.gov.ph/2026/03/10/march-10-2026-memorandum-dm-osec-ouhrodi-2026-0001-guidance-in-the-implementation-of-the-performance-management-and-evaluation-system-for-teachers-for-sy-2025-2026/), 03 March 2026, Sec. C). That guidance covers SY 2025–2026 only. For SY 2026–2027, DM 089's Table 2 and Table 10 still differ on MT III, and as of October 2026 no later issuance settles it. An MT III planning to apply in FY 2027 should ask the SDO which tool will rate the SY 2026–2027 IPCRF. See the [PMES guide](https://nash.com.ph/blog/deped-pmes-teachers).

### COI or NCOI on older MT IPCRFs

For Master Teachers' IPCRFs of SY 2024–2025 and earlier, DO 034 sets a table that tags each PPST strand as a COI or an NCOI (para. 19), "disregarding the label indicated in their IPCRF" (FAQ Q59). The table lists Domain 2 as strands 2.1 to 2.5. The PPST's Domain 2 has six strands, the sixth being "Management of learner behavior" (DO 42, s. 2017), so the table tags 36 strands, 20 as COIs and 16 as NCOIs, and is silent on strand 2.6. An MT applying where 21 COIs are needed should ask the HRMO how 2.6 is counted.

### When you fall short

During the transition, DO 034 lets teachers who do not fully meet the requirement be considered "within or across career stages within the range of three salary grades" (para. 28). One of its four groups is specific to Master Teachers: those who, after "the conversion of certain PPST indicators from Non-Classroom Observable to Classroom Observable Indicators", did not meet the requirement of the higher position (para. 28.c). The applicant commits, on the Teacher's Commitment Form "noted by the School Principal", to improve at most three PPST objectives (paras. 28–29); only ratings one level below the requirement qualify (FAQ Q56). The FAQ's MT I applying for MT III, with 2 COIs at Very Satisfactory where Outstanding is required, is "Eligible for Promotion to Master Teacher III, with two (2) PPST COIs for improvement" (Q55, illustrative example 3). The relaxation ends February 24, 2028 (para. 33); the four groups are in [How to Be Reclassified to Teacher IV to VII](https://nash.com.ph/blog/teacher-iv-to-vii-reclassification).

### Scoring

Qualified applicants are scored out of 100: Education 10, Training 10, Experience 10, Performance 30, COIs 25 and NCOIs 15 (DO 024, Encl. No. 2, Sec. 34). DO 024 printed 12 as the BEI maximum, in an example for an MT I applicant; DepEd's FAQ calls that a typographical error and uses 16 (Encl. No. 2, Sec. 38.d; FAQ Q42). No DepEd Order has corrected the printed 12, and DO 034 has no BEI provision. See the [point system guide](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ecp-point-system-hrmpsb-scoring).

## MT slots: the 1:5 and 1:3 ratios

The number of Master Teacher items is set "based on the number of authorized Teacher positions within the school" (JC 01, s. 2025, Sec. 9.1), and each item counts "regardless of position title or level" (DO 024, Encl. No. 1, Sec. 29), so an MT I and an MT V each use one.

| Setting | One MT item for every | Counted within |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten and elementary | 5 teachers | the school |
| Junior high school | 5 teachers | each subject or learning area in the school |
| Senior high school | 5 teachers | each track in the school |
| Regional Science High School | 3 teachers | each subject or learning area in the school |
| Multigrade schools and hardship posts | 3 teachers | the school |
| Special Needs Education | 5 SNEd teachers | the schools division (the item carries the parenthetical "Special Needs Education Teacher") |
| Alternative Learning System | 5 ALS teachers | the schools division |

*Sources: DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 1, Secs. 27 and 29.a–g (PDF pp. 15–17); DepEd-DBM JC No. 01, s. 2025, Sec. 9.1 (PDF pp. 17–18).*

DO 024 ties the ratios to "the broadened expectations and roles of Master Teachers to include instructional supervision, technical assistance, coaching and mentoring, and collaboration with teacher colleagues" (Sec. 29). In each call, the SDS sets the slots from the budget, priority positions in the teacher needs analysis, and "Applicable staffing standards and ratios for Master Teacher position" (Encl. No. 2, Sec. 5).

**Who counts toward the three or five.** Teachers teaching outside their specialization, or several subjects, "as indicated in the duly approved Class Program for the current school year, shall be included", validated against "the duly signed School Form 7" (DO 034, s. 2025, para. 9). The original specialization stays "the primary basis" (FAQ Q15).

**The school head's report.** DO 024's Annex S-1, the Report on the Number of Teachers and Master Teachers, is prepared by the School Head and approved by the Regional Director. It records the "Allowable Number of Master Teachers per Learning Area/Subject Area/Track/Specialization" and the remaining slots, and warns: "There should be no double counting of teachers with other learning area/subject area/track/specialization."

**One inconsistency.** The Joint Circular's version of that report, Form No. 4, has footnotes that differ from its Sec. 9.1 table (PDF p. 70):

- in elementary schools, one MT "shall likewise be allowed per specialization (e.g. Kindergarten, Special Education)" (fn. 1);
- in secondary schools, the five are counted "per learning/subject area/track and per specialization (e.g. Special Education)" (fn. 2);
- in hardship areas, one "may be allowed" for every three teachers, counted per specialization and, in secondary schools, per learning/subject area (fn. 3), where Sec. 9.1 sets 1:3 "within the school" for multigrade schools and hardship posts.

Form No. 4 has no ratio for Regional Science High Schools, nor the division-level ratios for SNEd and ALS. DO 024's Annex S-1 drops the footnotes and refers to Sec. 27. No document says which prevails; the Sec. 9.1 table, which DO 024 repeats, is the safer guide. No text says how a remainder is treated (say, seven teachers in a subject); ask the SDO.

## MT III to MT IV or V: the special assessment

MT IV needs at least ten Distinguished COIs, and Master Teachers' IPCRFs through SY 2024–2025 held only Highly Proficient indicators. In October 2025 DepEd's answer to an MT III was:

> "Not yet. For promotion to Master Teacher IV or V, the required IPCRFs must contain the Distinguished Teacher indicators. These will only be used starting SY 2025-2026 within the implementation of the new Multi-Year PMES for Teachers per DepEd Memorandum No. 089, s. 2025. Applications for higher positions under the Distinguished Teacher stage will only be accepted once the updated IPCRF tools are in place." (FAQ Q64)

DM 0802, signed by Undersecretary Wilfredo E. Cabral, answered under the heading "Promotion of Master Teacher III to Master Teacher IV", though its text covers MT V too:

> "Master Teacher III incumbents who intend to apply to Master Teacher IV or Master Teacher V positions whose previous IPCRFs contain only PPST Indicators aligned with the Highly Proficient Teacher Career Stage shall undergo a **special assessment** to demonstrate performance at the Distinguished Career Stage." (DM 0802, Sec. V(5))

| Part | What counts | How it is shown and rated |
|---|---|---|
| COIs | First, "COIs under the Distinguished Teacher Career Stage as reflected and rated in the applicant's IPCRF for the School Year (SY) 2025-2026" | Taken from the SY 2025–2026 IPCRF |
| | Then "the remaining COIs" | "one (1) or more classroom observations, as necessary, using the Classroom Observation Tool (COT) for Distinguished Teachers", under the existing PMES protocols |
| NCOIs | "NCOIs under the Distinguished Career Stage"; DepEd's example counts those already in the SY 2025–2026 IPCRF and uses the journal for the rest | A "Reflective Journal" documenting "professional experiences, leadership roles, mentoring practices, innovations, and other professional contributions", with verifiable evidence such as an implemented lesson plan ("any format shall be accepted"), a utilized assessment tool or instructional material, or the Performance Monitoring and Coaching Form (PMCF) |
| Rating | The indicators assessed | "Performance shall be rated using the Performance Management and Evaluation System (PMES) Tool for Distinguished Teachers"; ratings go in "the prescribed rating form, duly signed by the Rater and approved by the Approving Authority" |

*Source: DM-OUHRODI-2026-0802, Sec. V(5)(a)–(b) (PDF pp. 6–7); DepEd orientation deck on FY 2026 reclassification, March 24, 2026, pp. 21–22.*

**The rating form**, the Special Assessment in Demonstrating Distinguished Teacher Performance Rating Form, is in the annex folder of DepEd's career progression toolkit, with no annex number, date or issuing office. For COIs the rater should "encode the COT score obtained from the classroom observation" and "Transmute the COT score to its corresponding PMES 5-point scale"; for NCOIs, "Encode the rating for Quality, Efficiency, and/or Timeliness". It is signed by the Ratee, the Rater and the Approving Authority. The deck links to the form (p. 23).

### DepEd's worked case

The March 2026 deck's MT III applying for MT IV has IPCRFs for SY 2025–2026 (Distinguished) and SY 2024–2025 and 2023–2024 (Highly Proficient):

| Item | COIs | NCOIs |
|---|---|---|
| Requirement for MT IV | "At least 10 Distinguished COIs at Outstanding" | "At least 5 Distinguished NCOIs at Very Satisfactory; 5 Distinguished NCOIs at Outstanding" |
| From the SY 2025–2026 IPCRF | "COIs (Dist.) at O = 9" | "NCOIs (Dist.) at O = 5" |
| Lacking | "COIs (Dist.) at O = 1" | "NCOIs (Dist.) at least at VS= 5" |
| Shown through | "Classroom Observation (COI)" | "Reflection Journal (NCOI)" (the memo's "Reflective Journal") |

*Source: DepEd orientation deck on FY 2026 reclassification, March 24, 2026, p. 22, "Illustrative Sample".*

![Horizontal stacked bar chart. MT IV, Distinguished COIs at Outstanding: 9 from the SY 2025-2026 IPCRF and 1 still to show by classroom observation with the COT for Distinguished Teachers, against 10 required. MT IV, Distinguished NCOIs: 5 from the IPCRF and 5 still to show through a Reflective Journal, against 10 required. MT V, Distinguished COIs at Outstanding, computed best case: 9 from the IPCRF and 12 still to show, against 21 required.](https://nash.com.ph/blog/_astro/mt-iii-special-assessment-case.Dn41wne5_Z2gVWqI.webp)

*Figure 2. What a Master Teacher III must still show for MT IV (DepEd's illustrative case) or MT V (computed best case: all nine SY 2025–2026 Distinguished COIs rated Outstanding). Data: DepEd orientation deck on FY 2026 reclassification, March 24, 2026, p. 22; DM-OUHRODI-2026-0802, Sec. V(5); DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.a; DM-OSEC-OUHRODI-2026-0001, Sec. A; DM 089, s. 2025, Table 9. Chart: © 2026 Mark Anthony Llego, NASH Reviewer. [Download the full-resolution chart (PNG)](https://nash.com.ph/blog/charts/career-progression/mt-iii-special-assessment-case.png) or [its data (CSV)](https://nash.com.ph/blog/charts/career-progression/mt-iii-special-assessment-case.csv).*

**Why nine.** For SY 2025–2026, "only one (1) full-period classroom observation shall be required", and a teacher not yet observed could comply through one observation "covering all nine (9) classroom observation indicators" (DM-OSEC-OUHRODI-2026-0001, Sec. A). DM 089's schedule for Distinguished teachers lists nine different COIs for SY 2025–2026 (Table 9). So nine is the most a SY 2025–2026 IPCRF can supply. Even an MT III rated Outstanding on all nine is one COI short of MT IV and twelve short of MT V (computed: 10 − 9 and 21 − 9).

**What the memo leaves open:** who observes, when, and whether the special assessment comes before or during the initial evaluation. Ask the SDO HRMO before the call closes.

**Which governs.** DO 024 sets the indicator counts for MT IV and V, drawn from the applicant's rating periods (Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.a); DO 034's four relaxation groups do not include an MT III whose IPCRFs hold only Highly Proficient indicators (para. 28); and no DepEd Order provides the special assessment. It is a memorandum instruction and DepEd's operating rule for FY 2026, not part of DO 024. Being later, it replaces the FAQ's "Not yet".

Funding can still delay the result. In the 11 deficit regions, "All remaining reclassification applications that have not yet been issued NOSCA shall be temporarily deferred, pending the availability of funds" (DM-OUHRODI-2026-2789, 5 August 2026, Sec. III.A). See [Why ECP Reclassification Was Deferred in 2026](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ecp-reclassification-deferral-2026).

## Choosing a line at Master Teacher I

"Upon reaching the Master Teacher I position, a teacher may choose to pursue the CT Career Line or the SA Career Line." A teacher seeking MT II continues in classroom teaching; one seeking to be a School Principal continues in school administration (DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 1, Sec. 23; JC 01, s. 2025, Sec. 6.2).

Whether you may switch more than once depends on which text you read:

| Text | What it says |
|---|---|
| EO 174, s. 2022, Sec. 6 | "The switching from one career line to another shall be allowed, provided that the individual possesses all the necessary qualifications and expected competencies for the other career line." |
| IRR of EO 174, Sec. 12 | "Switching between CT and SA Career Lines shall be allowed", subject to qualifications, assessment and staffing standards |
| JC 01, s. 2025, Sec. 6.3 | "The switching of career line from CT to SA Career Line and vice versa shall be allowed", subject to qualifications and ratios |
| DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 1, Sec. 24 | Switching "shall be allowed **once**" (bold in the original) |
| DepEd ECP FAQs, Q6 and Q8 | "Yes. Switching is allowed once"; teachers "are expected to make a firm and deliberate decision" at MT I |

EO 174, its IRR and the Joint Circular rank above DO 024 and set no limit. "Once" is DepEd's own restriction: DepEd applies it, and it stands until amended or set aside, but no higher instrument states it. RA 12288 says only that "a Master Teacher I may opt to pursue a career line in teaching or school administration" (Sec. 5). Plan as if you have one switch.

For School Principal I, EO 174 requires the CSC-approved QS, the PPSSH proficiency level "and passing the school head assessment" administered by DepEd (Sec. 3). JC Form No. 1-B lists MT I (SG 18) and MT II (SG 19) among the positions that may be reclassified to SP I (PDF p. 48). See [School Principal I to IV: Promotion Under the ECP](https://nash.com.ph/blog/school-principal-reclassification-ecp) and the [NASH qualification standards FAQ](https://nash.com.ph/blog/nash-qualification-standards-faq).

## Where RA 12288's Master Teacher VI stands

RA 12288, approved 12 September 2025, directs that "The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall create the new teaching position titles of Teacher IV, Teacher V, Teacher VI, Teacher VII, Master Teacher V, Master Teacher VI, and School Principal V" (Sec. 5), and makes MT VI and SP V "equivalent in all salaries, benefits, and other privileges" (Sec. 7). The Act gives no salary grade. Its implementing rules (IRR) were signed on August 17, 2026. As of October 31, 2026, the IRR had not been published in the Official Gazette or on deped.gov.ph, so its effective date is not yet known. The DepEd-certified copy in [DepEd's career progression toolkit folder](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1y1yKNBQWxlCMMHRXfOqtsndKvK4GecK_), which DepEd shares through DM-OUHROD-2025-3003, places MT VI and SP V at SG 23 (RA 12288 IRR, Sec. 5).

The IRR moves MT III to PPST Career Stage III, with MT IV to MT VI at Career Stage IV (Sec. 6); DO 024 has MT III at the Distinguished stage (Encl. No. 1, Sec. 21.b). The IRR is later and implements the law, but its effective date is not yet known, and it provides that "All ongoing reclassification assessments prior to the effectivity of this IRR shall remain valid and effective and shall continue to be governed by prior laws, rules, and issuances, unless the concerned personnel opts to withdraw his/her existing application" (Sec. 17). No issuance yet says how MT requirements will change.

DepEd's August 2026 deck targets MT VI qualification standards and a DepEd order on RA 12288 for "Q1 of 2027" (DepEd orientation deck on ECP funding strategies, August 24, 2026, p. 34); those are targets, not results. FY 2026 reclassification stops at "Master Teacher I–V" (DM 0802, Sec. III(1)), so there is no MT VI item to apply for. For the full status, see [What RA 12288 Changes](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ra-12288-career-progression-changes).

## What this means for school heads

The school head rates every Master Teacher and prepares the report from which the number of MT slots is worked out (DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 1, Sec. 36.b.iv; Annex S-1). These steps follow from the issuances:

1. **Prepare Report S-1 carefully.** Count teachers by level and by learning area or track, include out-of-specialization teachers only where the approved Class Program and signed School Form 7 show it, and count no one twice (DO 024, Annex S-1; DO 034, s. 2025, para. 9). Your report is the count from which the allowable MT slots are worked out. It is reviewed by the Administrative Officer V, recommended by the SDS, verified by the Chief Administrative Officer and approved by the Regional Director (Annex S-1).
2. **Rate on time, on the right tool.** For SY 2025–2026, MT I and II are rated as Highly Proficient and MT III to V as Distinguished (DM-OSEC-OUHRODI-2026-0001, Sec. C). An MT III's SY 2025–2026 IPCRF is the base of the special assessment, so it must be rated and approved.
3. **Give Master Teachers time to coach.** School heads "shall design the teachers' program in a way that they have time to conduct coaching and mentoring" (DO 024, Encl. No. 1, Sec. 36.b.iii). Coaching produces the PMCFs and lesson evidence the NCOIs and the Reflective Journal draw on.
4. **Keep the records:** approved Class Programs for every year (an out-of-specialization applicant needs five years of them, DO 034, para. 10), observation forms, PMCFs and approved IPCRFs for three cycles; note any Teacher's Commitment Form (paras. 28–29).
5. **Ask the SDO early** who observes for the special assessment, when, and when the Reflective Journal is due.

| May | May not |
|---|---|
| Help a teacher who plans to apply next year request a classroom observation this school year, separate from the PMES observation (FAQ Q63) | Ask applicants for new MOVs for the NCOI portfolio; the MOVs are those "from the last three (3) rating periods" (FAQ Q43). The Reflective Journal is a separate requirement of DM 0802 |
| Count out-of-specialization teachers toward the ratio when the Class Program and School Form 7 support it (DO 034, para. 9) | Report more MT slots than the ratio allows, or count a teacher in two learning areas (DO 024, Annex S-1) |
| Plan for a Master Teacher from the subject, learning area or track to be designated Department Head by an SDS-signed order, with three hours of teaching (DO 024, Encl. No. 1, Sec. 36.c.i, ii and iv). In secondary schools, a retitled Head Teacher who opts to stay on as Department Head keeps that function until vacating the position, and only then is a Master Teacher designated (DO 034, s. 2025, para. 27) | Tell a Master Teacher V that MT VI is open; it has no QS and no item (DM 0802, Sec. III(1)) |

See also [human resource management for school heads](https://nash.com.ph/blog/school-head-human-resource-management), [PPSSH Domain 4, developing self and others](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ppssh-domain-4-developing-self-and-others), and [distributed leadership in DepEd schools](https://nash.com.ph/blog/distributed-leadership-deped-schools).

## How the NASH may test this

The two items below are original practice items, scored 3 (Relational), 2 (Multistructural), 1 (Unistructural) or 0 (Prestructural). An option that breaks a rule scores 0.

### Question 1

*Indicator 4.4.2, Performance management. Career Stage 2, Situational, Moderate.*

You are the principal of a large secondary school. Ms. R, a Master Teacher III, wants to apply for Master Teacher IV in the division's FY 2026 call. Her approved SY 2025–2026 IPCRF shows nine Distinguished COIs and five Distinguished NCOIs, all at Outstanding; her two earlier IPCRFs were rated with Highly Proficient tools. What is the most appropriate action?

- **A.** Confirm with the SDO HRMO how it will conduct the special assessment for MT III incumbents, then help Ms. R arrange a classroom observation with the COT for Distinguished Teachers for her missing COI and assemble a Reflective Journal with verifiable evidence for her missing NCOIs.
- **B.** Arrange a classroom observation with the COT for Distinguished Teachers for her missing COI and help her assemble a Reflective Journal for her missing NCOIs, then file the application without asking the SDO how it will schedule and rate the special assessment.
- **C.** Advise Ms. R to wait until her SY 2026–2027 and SY 2027–2028 IPCRFs carry enough Distinguished indicators, since an MT III can show those indicators only through regular IPCRFs.
- **D.** Have Ms. R accomplish a Teacher's Commitment Form under DO 034, s. 2025 that carries all six missing Distinguished indicators into her SY 2026–2027 IPCRF, and endorse her application now.

**Answer and explanation**

**Best answer: A.** Points: A = 3, B = 2, C = 1, D = 0.

- **A (3 points, Relational).** It uses the route DM 0802 created, covers both gaps (one COI by observation, five NCOIs by Reflective Journal), and settles with the SDO the procedure the memo leaves open.
- **B (2 points, Multistructural).** It covers both gaps but leaves unsettled the procedure the memo does not specify: who observes, when, and whether the assessment comes before or during the initial evaluation.
- **C (1 point, Unistructural).** It rightly says Distinguished indicators are needed, but it follows DepEd's October 2025 "Not yet", which DM 0802 replaced in March 2026, and costs her two years.
- **D (0 points, Prestructural).** DO 034 allows at most three PPST objectives on the Commitment Form, and an MT III with only Highly Proficient IPCRFs is not one of its four groups.

**Why.** MT IV needs at least 10 Distinguished COIs at Outstanding and 5 Distinguished NCOIs each at Very Satisfactory and Outstanding (DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.a). DM-OUHRODI-2026-0802 lets such MT III incumbents show missing COIs through "one (1) or more classroom observations, as necessary", with NCOIs rated "based on the submitted Reflective Journal" (Sec. V(5)), but does not say who observes or when. DO 034 allows "a maximum of three PPST objectives" (para. 28).

*Indicator 4.4.2: Implement the performance management system with a team to support the career advancement of school personnel, and to improve office performance.*

*Sources: DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.a; DM-OUHRODI-2026-0802, Sec. V(5); DepEd Order No. 034, s. 2025, para. 28; DepEd orientation deck on FY 2026 reclassification, March 24, 2026, p. 22; DepEd ECP FAQs, Q64.*

### Question 2

*Indicator 2.4.1, Management of staff. Career Stage 1, Conceptual, Moderate.*

An aspiring school head is studying how Master Teacher items are allotted in a junior high school under DO 024 and DO 034, s. 2025. Which statement best describes the rule?

- **A.** One Master Teacher item is authorized for every five teachers in the whole school, and only teachers whose original specialization is the subject are counted toward the five.
- **B.** The number of Master Teacher items in a school depends on the number of authorized teacher positions in the school.
- **C.** One Master Teacher item, of any level, is authorized for every five teachers per subject or learning area in the school, or every three in a Regional Science High School; teachers handling a subject outside their specialization count when the approved Class Program and signed School Form 7 show the assignment.
- **D.** One Master Teacher item, regardless of position title or level, is authorized for every five teachers per subject or learning area within the school.

**Answer and explanation**

**Best answer: C.** Points: A = 0, B = 1, C = 3, D = 2.

- **A (0 points, Prestructural).** It applies the elementary rule to a junior high school and excludes teachers that DO 034 says "shall be included".
- **B (1 point, Unistructural).** It states the basis of the standard correctly but gives no ratio or unit.
- **C (3 points, Relational).** It joins the ratio, the unit it is counted in, the exception for science high schools and the counting rule into one accurate account.
- **D (2 points, Multistructural).** The ratio and unit are right, but it leaves out the 1:3 schools and who counts toward the five.

**Why.** DO 024 authorizes for junior high schools one item, "regardless of position title or level", for every five teachers "per subject/learning area within the school", and one for every three in Regional Science High Schools (Encl. No. 1, Sec. 29.b and d). The JC bases the count on "the number of authorized Teacher positions within the school" (Sec. 9.1). DO 034 includes out-of-specialization teachers shown in the approved Class Program and signed School Form 7 (para. 9).

*Indicator 2.4.1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of laws, policies, guidelines and issuances on managing school staff.*

*Sources: DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 1, Secs. 27 and 29; DepEd Order No. 034, s. 2025, paras. 8–9; DepEd-DBM JC No. 01, s. 2025, Sec. 9.1; DepEd ECP FAQs, Q15.*

Nothing in this guide reproduces or predicts examination content.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I become a Master Teacher without a master's degree?

No. DepEd's FAQ says "those who are not master's degree holders are not qualified" (Q66), and DO 019, s. 2025 requires a master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Educational Management or the relevant subject for MT I to MT V (pp. 16–18). Doctoral units or degrees earn points in the comparative assessment (DO 034, s. 2025, para. 12).

### Can a Teacher VII be reclassified straight to Master Teacher II?

Not under the Joint Circular's form. JC Form No. 1-A lists only Master Teacher I as the position from which MT II is reclassified, although Teacher VII is within three salary grades (PDF p. 24). DO 024 allows advancement to any position in the next career stage if you also meet the entry position's requirements (Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.a.iii), but no DepEd document applies that to MT II, so plan to pass through MT I.

### How many Master Teachers can my school have?

One Master Teacher item for every five teachers: per elementary school, per subject or learning area in junior high, and per track in senior high. Regional Science High Schools (per subject) and multigrade schools and hardship posts get one for every three (DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 1, Sec. 29). Teachers teaching outside their specialization count if the approved Class Program and signed School Form 7 show it (DO 034, s. 2025, para. 9).

### Can a Master Teacher III apply for Master Teacher IV in 2026?

Yes. DM-OUHRODI-2026-0802 (13 March 2026) lets an MT III whose earlier IPCRFs carry only Highly Proficient indicators take a special assessment: the Distinguished COIs in the SY 2025–2026 IPCRF count, and the rest are shown through classroom observations with the COT for Distinguished Teachers and a Reflective Journal (Sec. V(5)). DepEd's October 2025 answer, "Not yet" (FAQ Q64), no longer applies.

### Is Master Teacher VI open for application?

No. RA 12288 directs DBM to create Master Teacher VI (Sec. 5), and its IRR, signed August 17, 2026 but not yet published as of October 31, 2026, places it at SG 23, but there are no qualification standards for it; DepEd's August 2026 deck targets them for "Q1 of 2027" (p. 34). FY 2026 reclassification covers "Master Teacher I–V" only (DM-OUHRODI-2026-0802, Sec. III(1)).

## Download the data

- [mt-performance-requirements.csv](https://nash.com.ph/blog/charts/career-progression/mt-performance-requirements.csv): the COIs at Outstanding, NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and NCOIs at Outstanding required for Master Teacher I to V, the level of the indicators, the total, and where "at least" is printed (DO 024, s. 2025, Encl. No. 2, Sec. 14.a).
- [mt-iii-special-assessment-case.csv](https://nash.com.ph/blog/charts/career-progression/mt-iii-special-assessment-case.csv): DepEd's illustrative MT III-to-MT IV case (required, from the SY 2025–2026 IPCRF, still to show) and a computed MT V best case (DepEd orientation deck on FY 2026 reclassification, March 24, 2026, p. 22; DM-OUHRODI-2026-0802, Sec. V(5); DM-OSEC-OUHRODI-2026-0001, Sec. A; DM 089, s. 2025, Table 9).

The CSVs and charts may be reused only with written permission: email [support@nash.com.ph](mailto:support@nash.com.ph). The rules themselves come from DepEd's issuances, which you can cite directly.

## Sources

- [Executive Order No. 174, s. 2022](https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2022/06jun/20220623-EO-174-RRD.pdf), Establishing the Expanded Career Progression System for Public School Teachers, June 23, 2022, Secs. 2–6.
- Implementing Rules and Regulations of Executive Order No. 174, s. 2022, registered with ONAR August 1, 2024, Secs. 12 and 14 (PDF p. 7), [DepEd's copy](https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/IRR-of-EO-174-s.-2022.pdf).
- [DepEd-DBM Joint Circular No. 01, s. 2025](https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/DepEd-DBM-JC-No.-01-s.-2025.pdf), Modified Position Classification and Compensation Scheme and System of Career Progression of Teachers and School Heads in the Public Basic Education System, February 19, 2025, Secs. 6.2–6.3, 7.6.1.1, 9.1 and 9.2.4; Form No. 1-A (PDF pp. 22, 24–26, 30), Form No. 1-B (PDF p. 48) and Form No. 4 (PDF p. 70).
- [DepEd Order No. 019, s. 2025](https://www.deped.gov.ph/2025/06/24/june-24-2025-do-019-s-2025-amended-qualification-standards-for-teacher-i-iii-master-teacher-i-iv-and-school-principal-i-iv-positions-and-the-qualification-standards-for-newly-created-t/), Amended Qualification Standards for Teacher I-III, Master Teacher I-IV, and School Principal I-IV Positions, and the Qualification Standards for Newly Created Teacher IV-VII and Master Teacher V Positions, June 24, 2025, paras. 2–3, with CSC Resolution No. 2500471 (May 28, 2025), PDF pp. 16–18, 22–25 and 47–50.
- [DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2025](https://www.deped.gov.ph/2025/08/28/august-28-2025-do-024-s-2025-guidelines-on-the-implementation-of-the-expanded-career-progression-system-for-teachers-and-school-heads-in-the-department-of-education/), Guidelines on the Implementation of the Expanded Career Progression System for Teachers and School Heads in the Department of Education, August 28, 2025, Encl. No. 1, Secs. 12, 20–21, 23–24, 26–29 and 36.b–c (PDF pp. 5, 12–17, 24); Encl. No. 2, Secs. 5, 14.a–b, 15, 34, 38.d and 42 (PDF pp. 30–35, 39, 50–51); Annexes B-1 and S-1; Appendix 5.
- [DepEd Order No. 034, s. 2025](https://www.deped.gov.ph/2025/10/14/october-14-2025-do-034-s-2025-amendments-and-clarifications-to-deped-order-no-024-s-2025-guidelines-on-the-implementation-of-the-expanded-career-progression-system-for-teachers-and-s/), Amendments and Clarifications to DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2025, October 14, 2025, paras. 8–12, 19–20 and 28–33 (PDF pp. 3, 5, 7–8).
- [DepEd Order No. 020, s. 2024](https://www.deped.gov.ph/2024/12/21/december-20-2024-do-020-s-2024-guidelines-on-the-recruitment-selection-and-appointment-to-higher-teaching-positions/), Guidelines on the Recruitment, Selection, and Appointment to Higher Teaching Positions, December 20, 2024.
- [DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2017](https://www.deped.gov.ph/2017/08/11/do-42-s-2017-national-adoption-and-implementation-of-the-philippine-professional-standards-for-teachers/), National Adoption and Implementation of the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers, PPST pp. 5–6.
- [DepEd Memorandum No. 017, s. 2025](https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/DM_s2025_017.pdf), Interim Guidelines for the Department of Education Performance Management and Evaluation System for Teachers in the School Year 2024–2025, February 7, 2025, para. 7.
- [DepEd Memorandum No. 089, s. 2025](https://www.deped.gov.ph/2025/10/01/october-1-2025-dm-089-s-2025-guidelines-on-the-multi-year-performance-management-and-evaluation-system-for-teachers-from-school-years-2025-2026-to-2027-2028/), Guidelines on the Multi-Year Performance Management and Evaluation System for Teachers from School Years 2025–2026 to 2027–2028, October 1, 2025, Tables 2, 9 and 10.
- [Memorandum DM-OSEC-OUHRODI-2026-0001](https://www.deped.gov.ph/2026/03/10/march-10-2026-memorandum-dm-osec-ouhrodi-2026-0001-guidance-in-the-implementation-of-the-performance-management-and-evaluation-system-for-teachers-for-sy-2025-2026/), Guidance in the Implementation of the Performance Management and Evaluation System (PMES) for Teachers for SY 2025-2026, March 3, 2026, Secs. A and C (PDF pp. 1–4).
- Memorandum DM-OUHRODI-2026-0802, Guidance on the Reclassification of Teaching and School Principal Positions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, March 13, 2026, Secs. III(1), V(1) and V(5) (PDF pp. 3–7), [as posted by SDO Nueva Vizcaya](https://sdonuevavizcaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-24-MEMORANDUM-DM-OUHRODI-2026-0802-GUIDANCE-ON-THE-RECLASSIFICATION-OF-TEACHING-AND-SCHOOL-PRINCIPAL-POSITIONS-FOR-FISCAL-YEAR-FY-2026.pdf).
- Memorandum DM-OUHRODI-2026-2789, Funding Strategies and Interim Policy Directions for the Continuous Implementation of the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System, August 5, 2026, Sec. III.A (p. 4), circulated to the field by DepEd.
- DepEd, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Expanded Career Progression System for Public School Teachers based on DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2025 and DO 34, s. 2025, updated November 6, 2025 (Annex A to DM-OUHROD-2025-3003, October 24, 2025), Q6, Q8–Q9, Q11, Q15, Q42–Q44, Q46, Q48–Q49, Q55–Q56, Q59, Q63–Q64 and Q66, [posted on deped.gov.ph](https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/ECP-FAQs-Updated_1162025.pdf) and in [DepEd's career progression toolkit folder](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1y1yKNBQWxlCMMHRXfOqtsndKvK4GecK_).
- DepEd, Virtual Orientation: Guidance on the Reclassification of Teaching and School Principal Positions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, deck, March 24, 2026, pp. 5 and 21–23, in DepEd's career progression toolkit folder.
- DepEd, Virtual Orientation: Guidance on the Funding Strategies and Interim Policy Directions for the Continuous Implementation of the ECP System, deck, August 24, 2026, p. 34, in DepEd's career progression toolkit folder.
- DepEd, Special Assessment in Demonstrating Distinguished Teacher Performance Rating Form (undated, no annex number), in the annex folder of DepEd's career progression toolkit.
- Civil Service Commission, 2025 Omnibus Rules on Appointments and Other Human Resource Actions, CSC Resolution No. 2500358, promulgated April 30, 2025, Sec. 101 (PDF p. 67); copy in DepEd's career progression toolkit folder.
- [Republic Act No. 12288](https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2025/09sep/20250912-RA-12288-FRM.pdf), An Act Institutionalizing the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders and Appropriating Funds Therefor, approved September 12, 2025, Secs. 5, 7 and 15.
- Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 12288, signed August 17, 2026 (not yet published as of October 31, 2026), Secs. 5–6 and 17 (PDF pp. 4–5, 10); DepEd-certified copy (August 24, 2026) in [DepEd's career progression toolkit folder](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1y1yKNBQWxlCMMHRXfOqtsndKvK4GecK_), shared through DM-OUHROD-2025-3003.

## The career progression series

- [DepEd Expanded Career Progression (ECP): The Full Guide](https://nash.com.ph/blog/deped-expanded-career-progression-guide)
- [How to Be Reclassified to Teacher IV to VII in DepEd](https://nash.com.ph/blog/teacher-iv-to-vii-reclassification)
- How to Become a Master Teacher Under DepEd's ECP (this post)
- [ECP Salary Grades for Teachers, MTs and Principals](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ecp-salary-grades-teachers-principals)
- [ECP Qualification Standards Under DO 019, s. 2025](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ecp-qualification-standards-do-019-2025)
- [ECP Point System: How the HRMPSB Scores Applicants](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ecp-point-system-hrmpsb-scoring)
- [School Principal I to IV: Promotion Under the ECP](https://nash.com.ph/blog/school-principal-reclassification-ecp)
- [The School Head's Role in ECP Reclassification](https://nash.com.ph/blog/school-head-role-ecp-reclassification)
- [Head Teacher Retitling: Options Under ECP and RA 12288](https://nash.com.ph/blog/head-teacher-retitling-ecp-ra-12288)
- [Why ECP Reclassification Was Deferred in 2026](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ecp-reclassification-deferral-2026)
- [What RA 12288 Changes in Teacher Career Progression](https://nash.com.ph/blog/ra-12288-career-progression-changes)
- [Department Head, Assistant School Head and MT Duties](https://nash.com.ph/blog/department-head-assistant-school-head-designates)

*Written by Mark Anthony Llego for NASH Reviewer. Sources: EO 174, s. 2022 and its IRR; DepEd-DBM JC No. 01, s. 2025; DepEd Orders No. 019, 024 and 034, s. 2025; DM 017 and DM 089, s. 2025; DM-OSEC-OUHRODI-2026-0001, DM-OUHRODI-2026-0802 and DM-OUHRODI-2026-2789; RA 12288 and its IRR; DepEd's ECP FAQs and orientation decks. Charts may be reused only with written permission from support@nash.com.ph.*

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© 2026 Mark Anthony Llego, NASH Reviewer. All rights reserved. You may quote up to 100 words from this article with the author's name, its title and a link. In research, cite it as: Llego, M. A. (2026, October 31). *How to Become a Master Teacher Under DepEd's ECP*. NASH Reviewer. https://nash.com.ph/blog/master-teacher-reclassification-ecp. Any other reuse of the article, its charts or its data needs written permission: email support@nash.com.ph. Terms of Service: https://nash.com.ph/terms#website-content-and-data