The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education came into existence in 1969 through an Act No.14 of 1968. Until 1982, the Board had its headquarter at Shimla, which was subsequently shifted to Dharamshala in Kangra District in 1983. The Headquarter of Education Board Dharamshala is located at the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges of western Himalayas overlooking picturesque Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh.

The Education Board prescribes syllabi, courses of instructions and text books for school education in Himachal Pradesh besides conducting examinations based on such courses. At present, the Board conducts examinations for the 8th,10th, Plus One and Plus Two classes. In addition, departmental examination like J.B.T., T.T.C and P.V.T.C are also being conducted by the Board. As many as 4.5 lac candidates annually appear in the examinations conducted by the Board .

To begin with, the Board had only 34 officials on its establishment which strength has now increased to 452. The first examination was conducted by the Board in 1970 at 99 examination centres. Presently, keeping in view the increased number of candidates and typical geographical conditions of the Pradesh, the Board has set up 1448 Examination centres throughout the State. Apart from a Liaison Office at Shimla, the Board has also established 16 Sale Book Depots/Information Centres in the Pradesh to cater to the needs of students.