You’ve probably seen all three: TESDA Online Program (TOP), TESDA Skills Passport, and TESDA Biometric-Enabled Scholarship Registration System (BSRS). They sound similar and have all come from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) so they are connected, but they are not the same.
TOP is where you learn. BSRS is where you register and get monitored if you’re under a scholarship. The Skills Passport is where you store your certificates, apply for jobs, and manage everything in one app. If you want to simplify it, think of it this way: TOP is the school. BSRS is the scholarship gatekeeper. Skills Passport is your digital wallet and résumé.
Overview
TESDA is the government agency in-charge of free and low-cost technical-vocational training. It helps students, OFWs, returning OFWs, out-of-school youth, jobseekers, and working professionals learn practical skills that lead to real jobs. Over time, TESDA built three digital platforms to make learning, scholarships, and employment easier and more transparent:
- TESDA Online Program (TOP)
- TESDA Skills Passport
- TESDA BSRS (Biometric-Enabled Scholarship Registration System)
Each one solves a different problem. Let’s take a closer look:
1. TESDA Online Program (TOP): The Learning Platform
Best for: OFWs abroad, busy workers, students, or anyone who wants to start learning right away.
If you want to study for free online, this is where you go. The TOP is a platform available via the website and a mobile app developed by TESDA to offer over 150 free courses. You can study ICT, cookery, caregiving, agriculture, digital marketing, bookkeeping, and more. No tuition. No age limit. No entrance exam.
You only need:
- A device
- Internet connection
- Email address
To access, you may visit: https://www.e-tesda.gov.ph/course/
What do you get?
- Self-paced learning
- Online quizzes
- Certificate of Completion (after passing with at least 80%)
If you want a National Certificate (NC), you must take a face-to-face assessment later at an accredited center.
2. TESDA BSRS: The Scholarship System
Best for: Anyone applying for free, funded, in-person TESDA programs.
Now, let’s say you’re applying for a government-funded TESDA scholarship. This is where TESDA BSRS comes in.
BSRS is a web-based system used to:
- Register scholarship applicants
- Capture facial biometrics
- Monitor attendance
- Track training progress
It can be accessed here: https://bsrs.tesda.gov.ph/login
It uses a facial recognition system because TESDA needed to stop fake trainees and incorrect attendance records. BSRS also confirms that the person who registered is the same person attending.
Who needs BSRS?
- Scholarship applicants
- Scholars in face-to-face TESDA training
- Returning scholars
You register once, and you can reuse your account for future training.
3. TESDA Skills Passport: The All-in-One Super App
Launched in February 2026, the TESDA Skills Passport is a free mobile app available on Android and iOS. This is where everything connects as it was designed to allow you to:
- Store National Certificates (NCs)
- Track completed and expired certifications
- Add non-TESDA certificates
- Generate a QR code résumé
- Apply for scholarships
- Browse jobs
- Access TOP courses
- Locate TESDA centers
- Chat with Professor K (AI assistant)
It even connects to both TOP and BSRS inside the app.
You only need:
- Smartphone (Android 7.0+ or supported iOS)
- Internet connection
- PhilSys number (for full access)
Why this matters
If you’re an OFW, returning OFW, or jobseeker, losing certificates is stressful. Printing documents costs money. Going to offices takes time. The Skills Passport keeps everything in one place. And yes — it’s free.
Which One Should You Use?
If you are confused about which one to use, just ask yourself:
- Do you want to learn online for free? If so, then use the TESDA Online Program
- Are you applying for a scholarship? In that case, you need to use the TESDA BSRS
- Do you want to store your certificates and find jobs? Then, you can use the TESDA Skills Passport
If you’re serious about building skills and finding work in the Philippines or abroad, you’ll likely use all three at different stages. Don’t always wait for “the perfect timing.” Open one platform today and take the first step today, because in TESDA, progress isn’t always about speed. It’s about starting.