Overview
The Criminologist Licensure Examination (CLE, also called the LEC) is the Philippine licensing exam for criminologists. It is given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) through the Professional Regulatory Board of Criminology under Republic Act No. 11131, the Philippine Criminology Profession Act of 2018. Passing it lets you register as a licensed criminologist.
The exam is multiple-choice and paper-based, and it is held twice a year over three days.
Who can apply
You need a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from a recognised higher education institution. RA 11131 also requires a certificate of a completed refresher course from a CHED-recognised institution after five failed attempts, consecutive or in total. Check the PRC announcement for each exam for the full list of documents.
Exam pattern
The exam covers six main subjects. The Board set these weights in 2021, and they have applied since the second exam of 2022, when the first graduates of the revised CHED curriculum took the exam.
| Subject | Weight |
|---|---|
| Criminal Law, Jurisprudence and Procedure | 20% |
| Law Enforcement Administration | 15% |
| Crime Detection and Investigation | 20% |
| Forensic Science | 15% |
| Correctional Administration | 10% |
| Criminology | 20% |
Syllabus
The Board lists component subjects under each main subject.
Criminal Law, Jurisprudence and Procedure: the Philippine criminal justice system, human rights education, criminal law (Books 1 and 2), evidence, criminal procedure and court testimony.
Law Enforcement Administration: comparative models in policing, industrial security concepts, and law enforcement operations and planning with crime mapping.
Crime Detection and Investigation: criminal investigation and intelligence, specialised crime investigation with legal medicine, traffic management and accident investigation, investigative report writing, fire protection and arson investigation, vice and drug control, legal forms, cybercrime, and environmental laws.
Forensic Science: forensic photography, personal identification, forensic chemistry and toxicology, questioned documents, lie detection and forensic ballistics.
Correctional Administration: institutional and non-institutional corrections, and therapeutic modalities.
Criminology: introduction to criminology, theories of crime causation, human behaviour and victimology, professional conduct and ethics, juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice, dispute resolution and crisis management, and criminological research with applied statistics.
The Board's 2022 tables of specifications give the detailed competencies tested in each subject.
Marking and results
RA 11131 sets the pass mark at a weighted average of 75% with no subject below 60%. The PRC publishes results online after each exam. According to the same reports, 57.56% of examinees passed in August 2026 (16,952 of 29,452), and 66.00% passed in February 2026.
Important dates
The PRC holds the exam twice a year. Reports say the next one is expected around February 2027, but the PRC had not announced a date when this page was reviewed. Watch the PRC website for the schedule and application window.
Fees
Secondary reports put the examination fee at PHP 900. Confirm the amount on the PRC site before you pay.
How to apply
Apply through the PRC's online system within the window announced for each exam, and submit the documents the PRC asks for. Follow the instructions in the PRC announcement for that exam.
After the exam
If you pass, you register with the PRC and take the oath as a licensed criminologist.
Preparation tips
Study from the Board's tables of specifications, because the questions stay within them.
Spend the most time on the three subjects that carry 20% each: criminal law and procedure, crime detection and investigation, and criminology.
Keep every subject above 60%, since one weak subject can fail you even with a high average.
FAQs
How many subjects are in the Criminology licensure exam?
There are six main subjects, each with several component subjects.
How often is the exam held?
Twice a year, over three days.
What score do I need to pass?
Reports say a 75% weighted average with no subject below 60%.