Objectives of the Act
- Regulates examination, registration, and licensure of criminologists.
- Supervises, controls, and regulates criminology practice.
- Standardizes criminology education.
- Promotes continuing professional development (CPD).
- Integrates all criminology professional groups under an accredited professional organization (APO).
Key Definitions
- APO: Accredited Professional Organization, the sole recognized national association of criminologists approved by the PRC.
- Board: Professional Regulatory Board for Criminologists.
- CHED: Commission on Higher Education, assists in policy and education standards.
- Commission: Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), overseeing licensing and regulation.
- Criminology: Scientific study of crime, criminals, victims, including prevention and solutions.
- Registered Criminologist: Individual with valid certificate and professional ID issued by the Board and Commission.
Scope of Practice
- Practice includes roles in government/private law enforcement, teaching criminology subjects, forensic sciences, correctional administration, counseling, research, and private investigation.
- Board may revise scope to keep pace with professional changes.
Creation and Composition of the Board
- Board consists of a Chairperson and four members.
- Members appointed by the President from a shortlist by PRC and APO.
- Board established within six months from the Act’s effectivity.
Qualifications and Term of Board Members
- Must be Filipino, good moral character, no criminal conviction involving moral turpitude.
- Must hold BS Criminology plus post-graduate degree or be a lawyer.
- Registered criminologist with at least 10 years’ experience including teaching.
- Must not have pecuniary interests in criminology education institutions.
- Term: Three years, renewable once, with specified staggered initial terms.
Board's Powers and Functions
- Administer licensure exams, registration, and supervision of the profession.
- Handle complaints and disciplinary actions for malpractice and unethical conduct.
- Issue and enforce Code of Ethics and Good Governance.
- Prescribe CPD requirements.
- Approve examination syllabi, prepare and grade exams.
- Issue, suspend, revoke certificates.
- Conduct inspections and recommend sanctions.
- Monitor criminology education compliance and recommend sanctions.
- Hear administrative cases; can delegate investigations.
- Refer criminal violations to appropriate government offices.
Grounds for Removal of Board Members
- Gross neglect, incompetence, dishonesty.
- Committing prohibited acts including examination fraud.
- Final conviction for crime involving moral turpitude.
Examination and Registration
- Licensure exam required for practice except for special exemptions.
- Applicants must be Filipino or from reciprocal countries, good moral character, BS Criminology degree recognized by CHED, no criminal conviction involving moral turpitude.
- Subjects: Criminal law/procedure, law enforcement administration, investigation, criminalistics, correctional administration, criminological sociology.
- Passing standards: 75% weighted average, no grade below 60%; deferred examinees must pass deficient subjects with at least 80% within two years.
- Practitioners must take a professional oath.
- Certificates issued and renewed every three years subject to CPD compliance.
Regulation of Practice
- Only registered criminologists or foreign criminologists with temporary/special permits may practice.
- Juridical entities (partnerships, corporations, associations) must have majority registered criminologists.
- Use of official profession seal is exclusive and regulated.
- Foreign criminologists require reciprocity and permits for limited practice.
Privileges and Benefits
- Registered criminologists exempt from other civil service exams for relevant positions.
- Priority appointment in law enforcement, justice, security, corrections, intelligence, and related government agencies.
- Eligibility for lateral entry positions in police, fire, jail services subject to qualifications.
Penalties
- Fines from P100,000 to P500,000 or imprisonment from 2 years and 1 day to 6 years or both.
- Penalizes unlicensed practice, fraudulent use of credentials, impersonation, and other violations.
- Juridical persons’ responsible officers held liable.
Enforcement and Support
- The Board is supported by the Commission, APO, government agencies, and private organizations.
- Appropriations for implementation included in the General Appropriations Act.
Transitional and Miscellaneous Provisions
- Existing Board continues function until new Board organized.
- Board to promulgate Implementing Rules and Regulations within 90 days.
- Repeals previous law Republic Act No. 6506 and related inconsistent issuances.
- Contains separability clause to preserve valid provisions if parts are invalidated by courts.