Civil Service Exam Exemption for Latin Honors (PD 907): Complete Requirements & Application Guide

Graduating college with academic distinction provides more than just a medal on commencement day. In the Philippines, honor graduates who attain Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Cum Laude from a recognized bachelor's degree program are granted lifetime exemption from the Career Service Examination under Presidential Decree No. 907 (P.D. 907).

Known officially as the Honor Graduate Eligibility (HGE), this certificate confers Second Level (Professional) Civil Service status, qualifying you for permanent administrative, technical, and executive positions across the Philippine government.

What is Presidential Decree No. 907 (Honor Graduate Eligibility)?

Enacted to encourage academic excellence and draw top college graduates into public service, Presidential Decree No. 907 provides automatic civil service eligibility to students who graduate with honors from four-year or five-year baccalaureate degree programs. Administered by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Honor Graduate Eligibility confers the following privileges:

• Second Level Eligibility: Equivalent to passing the CSC Professional Career Service Examination.
• Lifetime Validity: The eligibility never expires and does not require periodic renewal.
• Broad Government Coverage: Applicable for permanent appointments in national agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs), state colleges, and Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs).

Who is Eligible Under P.D. 907?

To qualify for the grant of Honor Graduate Eligibility, an applicant must satisfy all of the following requirements:

Criterion	Required Standard	Notes & Exceptions
Academic Distinction	Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Cum Laude	Dean's List, Academic Excellence, and Honorable Mention awards are not eligible.
Degree Level	Bachelor's Degree (Baccalaureate)	Must be a full 4-year or 5-year college degree. Associate degrees and diplomas are excluded.
School Accreditation	CHED-recognized private HEI or chartered SUC/LUC	Programs must have recognized government authority or Board of Regents approval.
Graduation Date	School Year 1972–1973 onwards	Open Distance Learning (ODL) graduates are eligible from SY 2015–2016 onwards.

Documentary Checklist for CSC Application

Applicants must compile and submit the following official documents to the nearest CSC Regional or Field Office:

1. Properly Accomplished CS Form 101-D: Downloadable from the official Civil Service Commission website.
2. Three (3) Identical Passport-Sized Photographs: Size 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm on glossy photo paper, white background, taken within the last 3 months, with a standard hand-written name tag showing [Signature over Printed Full Name: First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name, Extension]. Eyeglasses and colored contacts must be removed.
3. Original & Photocopy of Valid Government ID: Passport, Driver's License, UMID, Postal ID, or Philippine National ID (PhilID).
4. Original & Authenticated Copy of Transcript of Records (TOR): Bearing the university seal, signature of the registrar, Special Order (S.O.) number (for private HEIs), and a clear notation of your Latin honor.
5. Certification of Latin Honors: An official certificate issued by the University Registrar or Office of Academic Affairs stating your exact Latin honor and graduation date. See our guides on UP Diliman Cum Laude cutoffs and DLSU Latin honors standards.
6. Original & Photocopy of PSA Birth Certificate: To verify citizenship and identity.
7. Processing Fee: Standard evaluation fee of PHP 200.00 (payable on-site or via Postal Money Order for mail-in submissions).

Step-by-Step Application Procedure

Applications for Honor Graduate Eligibility are accepted on a continuous, year-round basis with no filing deadlines:

1. Step 1: Secure Your University Documents: Request an official TOR with Latin Honor remarks and a dedicated Certificate of Graduation with Honors from your registrar's office.
2. Step 2: Complete CS Form 101-D: Fill in all personal, educational, and institutional details clearly in black or blue ink.
3. Step 3: Submit to the CSC Regional or Field Office: Bring your complete documentary folder to the CSC Regional Office having jurisdiction over your alma mater or your current place of residence.
4. Step 4: Pay the Evaluation Fee: Settle the PHP 200.00 fee at the CSC cashier.
5. Step 5: Release of Certificate of Eligibility: Upon verification and approval (usually 15 to 30 working days), you will receive your official Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Important Caveats: Positions Not Covered by P.D. 907

While Honor Graduate Eligibility grants Second Level status, it does not supersede specialized regulatory requirements:

• Board and Bar Regulated Professions: Positions requiring practice of profession (e.g. Lawyers, CPAs, Registered Nurses, Licensed Engineers, Licensed Teachers) require valid licenses from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) or Supreme Court.
• Executive Positions: Third-level Career Executive Service (CES) positions require separate CESB accreditation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can transferees and shifters claim P.D. 907 eligibility?

Yes. As long as your final graduating university officially confers the Latin honor on your transcript and degree diploma, the Civil Service Commission honors the award.

2. What GWA do I need to qualify for Latin honors in Philippine colleges?

Most universities operating on the 1.00 to 5.00 scale require an overall GWA of 1.750 or better for Cum Laude, 1.450 or better for Magna Cum Laude, and 1.200 or better for Summa Cum Laude. You can test your grades using our free Philippine GWA Calculator or GWA to GPA Converter.

3. Can foreign university graduates apply for P.D. 907?

Filipino citizens who graduated with honors from reputable foreign universities may apply directly to the CSC Central Office, subject to CHED equivalency validation.