QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 6506)
RA 6506 creates the Board of Examiners for Criminologists in the Philippines to administer the law, conduct examinations, and control the issuance, suspension, or revocation of certificates of registration for the practice of criminology.
It is composed of a Chairman and two members who possess the qualifications in Section 3, appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Commissioner of Civil Service, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
The first Board is to be issued certificates of registration as criminologists without prior examination in accordance with the Act.
They must be natural-born citizens; holders of BS Criminology or Master of Criminology from a recognized school; at least 30 years old; registered criminologists with at least 10 years of experience; not faculty and without pecuniary interest in criminology schools; and not connected with government agencies operating academies/training institutes for peace officers/law enforcement.
The Commissioner of Civil Service is the executive officer and conducts the examination given by the Board. Records and minutes of deliberations, including exam papers, are kept by the Civil Service Commission under the direct custody of the Secretary.
Board members serve for three years unless removed for causes under Section 6. A successor is appointed immediately and serves only the unexpired term.
The President may remove for neglect of duty, incompetency, or unprofessional/dishonorable conduct, but only after giving the member an opportunity to defend himself in a proper administrative investigation.
Not exceeding ten pesos for each applicant examined.
Registration is not required for foreign criminologists called for consultations/special projects not requiring more than five months’ residence in any 12-month period, provided they are legally qualified in their home state/country.
Foreigners employed as technical officers/professors/consultants in special branches may be exempt if, in the President’s judgment, they are necessary/indispensable; they must be internationally recognized experts and must not engage in private practice during their stay.
No person may practice or offer to practice as a criminologist in the Philippines without first obtaining a certificate of registration from the Board.
The applicant must be at least 18 and a Filipino citizen; of good moral character certified by at least three respected persons in the community; must not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; and must have graduated in Criminology from a government-recognized school after completing a four-year resident collegiate course leading to BS Criminology. (There is also a transitional option for BS Law degree holders within five years after approval of the Act upon completion of required units.)
It may conduct examinations in Manila, Baguio, Legaspi, Cebu, and Davao whenever practicable at least once a year, on working days and places it fixes with approval of the Commissioner of Civil Service. Notice must be published in newspapers and copies mailed to candidates at least 30 days before the examination.
Criminal Jurisprudence and Procedure (20%), Law Enforcement Administration (20%), Correctional Administration (15%), Criminalistics (20%), Criminal Sociology (15%), and Ethics and Human Relations (10%). The Board may revise subjects/weights if the Department of Education changes the criminology curriculum.
A candidate must obtain a general average of at least 75% with no rating below 50% in any subject.
Within ninety (90) days after the completion of the examination, the Board must report the ratings to the Commissioner of Civil Service.
The Board issues a certificate upon payment of the registration fee to applicants it believes have met requirements. Certificates must include full name, serial number, signatures of Board members, attestation by the Secretary, and the Board seal. Under a proviso, applicants who file within six months after approval and are BS Criminology graduates with at least 10 years of criminology practice prior to enactment may receive certificates without examination. Fees: application fee of fifty pesos for examination; registration fee of thirty pesos.
Revocation/suspension may be imposed after due notice and hearing if found guilty of malpractice, incompetency, unprofessional conduct, serious ignorance, or gross negligence in practice. The decision may be appealed within 30 days to the President, whose decision is final.
(1) A criminologist is a graduate of the criminology degree who has passed the criminology examination and is registered by the Board. (2) Practice is holding oneself out to the public in specified capacities such as criminology teaching of covered subjects, law enforcement administration/advisory roles, certain forensic/technician specialties (e.g., dactyloscopy, ballistics, questioned documents), correctional administration roles, and counseling/expert/research/adviser roles on criminal research and related projects.
They are exempt from taking other entrance or qualifying government/civil service examinations and are considered civil service eligibles for listed positions (e.g., dactylographer, ballistician, questioned document examiner, probation officer, police laboratory technician, etc.). They are also eligible for appointment as Patrolman in chartered cities/municipalities if they meet general qualifications under RA 4864.