QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11131)
The Act is titled “The Philippine Criminology Profession Act of 2018.” Its policy recognizes the importance of the criminology profession in national security, public safety, peace and order, and nation-building; it aims to develop competent, virtuous, well-rounded criminologists through credible licensure examinations and continuous professional growth, emphasizing sacred, honest, effective, and credible licensure.
RA 11131 governs: (a) examination, registration, and licensure for criminologists; (b) supervision, control, and regulation of criminology practice; (c) standardization and regulation of criminology education; (d) development of professional competence through Continuing Professional Development (CPD); and (e) integration of criminology groups and membership of all registered criminologists to the accredited professional organization.
A natural person holding a valid certificate of registration and an updated professional identification card as criminologist issued by the Board and the PRC pursuant to the Act.
It includes, among others: law enforcement-related roles and quasi-police functions in government/private agencies; teaching in specified criminology subjects and related technical/specialized subjects; work as technician/examiner/criminalist (e.g., dactyloscopy, questioned documents, DNA, lie detection, firearms identification, forensics); correctional administration and community-based corrections; counseling/consulting/research in criminological projects; and private investigation and detective work in private security/investigation agencies. The Board may revise/add/exclude acts subject to PRC approval.
It is created as a collegial body under PRC administrative supervision and control, composed of a Chairperson and four (4) members appointed by the President from ranked recommendations of the Commission, with nominees endorsed by the APO. The Board must be organized within six (6) months from the Act’s effectivity.
They must be natural-born Filipino citizens, residents of the Philippines, of good moral character and sound mind/body, not convicted of offenses involving moral turpitude, graduates of BS Criminology with a post-graduate degree in Criminology or a lawyer in a recognized school, registered criminologists with at least ten (10) years practice including at least two (2) years teaching experience, members in good standing of the APO but not officers/trustees, and must not be faculty/staff/reviewers in criminology review courses and must have no direct/indirect pecuniary interest in such institutions.
Three (3) years from appointment, until successors are qualified; reappointment is allowed for another term of three (3) years, but total holding shall not be more than two (2) terms nor more than six (6) years (whichever is longer as stated). The first Board has staggered terms; vacancies with unexpired periods serve only that remaining period.
Examples include: (1) administer/supervise licensure examinations, registration, APO membership, and practice monitoring; (2) receive complaints and decide on malpractices/unethical conduct; (3) promulgate rules and regulations; (4) promulgate Code of Ethics and Code of Good Governance; (5) set CPD guidelines; (6) adopt/revise examination syllabi/tables of specifications, prepare and administer examinations, correct and release results; (7) issue/suspend/revoke certificates of registration and cancel permits; (8) issue summons/subpoena in investigations; and others.
Upon recommendation of the PRC and after due process/admin investigation by the Commission: gross neglect/incompetence/dishonesty; commission of causes/grounds/prohibited acts under the Act and relevant penal laws (Revised Penal Code, Anti-Graft, etc.); manipulation/rigging or disclosure/tampering in licensure examinations; or final conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude.
For local practice, applicants must pass the licensure examination (unless specifically allowed by the Act) and then register to obtain a certificate of registration and professional identification card. Only registered criminologists (or those with valid temporary/special permits for foreign licensed criminologists) are authorized to practice.
They must be: (1) citizens of the Philippines or foreigners with reciprocity; (2) of good moral character and sound mind/body (certified as required); (3) holders of a CHED-accredited criminology bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent abroad; (4) not convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude; and (5) those failing five (5) times must present a refresher course certification from a reputable CHED-recognized institution.
A candidate must obtain a weighted average of 75% with no subject grade below 60%. If the weighted average is 75% but any subject is below 60%, the result is deferred and the candidate must retake that subject/s once within two (2) years, obtaining at least 80% to pass. Failure to meet the 80% upon retake or failure to retake within the period requires retaking all board subjects. Failing three (3) or more board subjects means failing the board exam.
The Board shall not register if the applicant has been: convicted with finality of a crime involving moral turpitude; found guilty by the Board of immoral or dishonorable conduct; summarily adjudged guilty for violation of General Instructions to Examinees; or declared of unsound mind by a competent court.
Grounds include: violation of the Act/IRR/Code of Ethics/Code of Good Governance/policy; final conviction of moral turpitude crime; fraud in obtaining registration/ID/permit; gross incompetence/negligence causing death/injury or property damage; nonrenewal of professional identification card for six (6) years without justifiable cause; aiding/abetting illegal practice by a non-registered criminologist; illegal practice during suspension; addiction to drugs/alcohol impairing practice or being declared unsound mind; and noncompliance with CPD and APO requirements for renewal. (The Board may update grounds subject to PRC approval.)
The Board shall suspend a registered criminologist from practice (including use as eligibility for promotion) for nonpayment of registration fees for two (2) consecutive registration periods, from the last or previous year of payment; other surcharges are determined by the Commission.
Natural persons: (1) duly registered criminologists with valid certificate and ID; and (2) holders of valid temporary/special permits for foreign licensed criminologists. Juridical persons: single proprietorships with owner/technical staff registered; SEC-registered professional partnerships with majority registered criminologists; SEC-registered corporations engaged in criminology with officers/Board of Directors all registered; and SEC- or appropriate-agency registered non-stock corporations/cooperatives where majority of officers/trustees/members are registered. These entities must also be registered with the Board/Commission.
A fine of not less than ₱100,000 nor more than ₱500,000 and/or imprisonment of not less than 2 years and 1 day nor more than 6 years, or both, is imposed for acts such as: practicing without valid registration and ID/permit; attempting to use another’s seal/certificate/ID/permit; abetting illegal practice by an unregistered/unauthorized person; securing registration/ID/permit through false info or fraudulent means; impersonation; and violation of the Act/IRR. If the violator is a juridical person, responsible officers and directors may be held liable.