TL;DR: Carl Balita Review Center (CBRC) is the largest nationwide network covering criminology review, with 181 branches including locations near Manila and a dedicated branch in Cebu City. CEVAS runs criminology programs in both cities at a promo rate around PHP 5,950 (regular PHP 8,950). The Criminologist Licensure Examination (CLE) hit a historic 66.00% national passing rate (30,320 of 45,936 examinees) in the February 2026 exam, per the PRC.
Introduction
If you're finishing a BS Criminology degree, the Criminologist Licensure Examination (CLE) is what turns that degree into a Registered Criminologist (RCrim) title — required for law enforcement, corrections, forensic, and security management careers in the Philippines. The CLE covers six subjects in one long exam day, and because the pool of examinees is large (over 45,000 in the February 2026 administration alone), a structured review program is a common choice for staying on pace.
This guide covers the criminology review centers actually operating in Manila and Cebu, with fees and details verified against the centers' own sites and independent reporting where possible. Where a center didn't publish a fee, we say so rather than guessing. We also cover current PRC passing-rate data so you know what you're up against, and practical tips for choosing between a large network like CBRC and a smaller specialist.
What is the CLE and why does the review center matter?
The CLE tests six subjects: Criminal Jurisprudence and Procedure, Law Enforcement Administration, Crime Detection and Investigation, Criminalistics, Correctional Administration, and Criminal Sociology, each carrying its own weight toward your final average. You need a general weighted average of at least 75%, with no individual subject below 50% — full coverage is in our criminology board exam guide.
Because the exam draws such a large number of examinees each cycle and covers dense legal material (the Revised Penal Code alone is a heavy subject), most reviewees choose a structured review program over pure self-study, particularly for the Criminal Jurisprudence and Criminalistics subjects, which reward memorized, exam-specific recall.
What are the best criminology review centers in Manila?
Carl Balita Review Center (CBRC) is the country's largest review center network, with 181 branches nationwide plus locations in Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the UAE, and the US. It is the first ISO-certified review center in the Philippines and runs over 40 review programs, with criminology and LET among its flagship offerings. One CBRC branch — serving examinees in the wider Metro Manila area — operates in nearby Antipolo, Rizal; the network's Sampaloc-area locations are also long-established hubs for CPA, nursing, and LET review, and criminology programs run at several of these branches. CBRC's fee for its criminology program is not published on its main site — contact the specific branch you're considering for current rates.
Amici Review Center, based in Quezon City (Metro Manila), has operated since November 2020 and has built a reputation specifically around criminology review, crediting itself with producing topnotchers in several consecutive exam seasons since it started. It requires a relatively low down payment (reported at around PHP 1,000) to reserve a slot, with the balance due afterward — a notably different pricing model from the larger networks.
CEVAS, with branches in Makati and Quezon City serving Metro Manila, is a multi-awarded review center (Asia Pacific Excellence Awards, Consumers Choice Awards) that runs a dedicated criminology track alongside LET, civil service, NMAT, and other programs. Its criminology program has been advertised at a promo rate of PHP 5,950 (regular PHP 8,950), with additional discounts for honor students.
St. Louis Review Center (SLRC), headquartered in Baguio with a 35-plus branch network including Manila, bundles criminology (CLE) review alongside NLE, LET, and civil service preparation, which can be useful if you're also considering another licensure exam.
What are the best criminology review centers in Cebu?
CBRC — Cebu Branch, at 103 F. Ramos Street, Cebu City, is the most recognized single name for criminology review in the Visayas, backed by the same 181-branch national network and ISO certification as CBRC's other locations. It offers both LET and criminology review programs.
CEVAS — Cebu, reachable through its local branch line, runs the same criminology program as its Metro Manila branches, with the promo rate of roughly PHP 5,950 (regular PHP 8,950) applying nationwide across CEVAS locations, subject to the current promo window.
SLRC Cebu also offers criminology (CLE) review alongside nursing, LET, and civil service programs, serving Central Visayas examinees who want one center for multiple exams.
Comparison Table
| Review Center | City | Format | Fee Range (PHP) | Notable Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBRC | Metro Manila area | Face-to-face & online | Not published | 181 branches nationwide, ISO-certified |
| Amici Review Center | Quezon City (Metro Manila) | Face-to-face | ~1,000 down payment; balance not published | Criminology-only specialist since 2020 |
| CEVAS | Makati / Quezon City | Face-to-face & online | 5,950-8,950 | Multi-awarded, honor-student discounts |
| SLRC | Manila | Face-to-face | Not published | Also covers NLE, LET, CSE |
| CBRC — Cebu Branch | Cebu City | Face-to-face & online | Not published | Same 181-branch network |
| CEVAS — Cebu | Cebu City | Face-to-face & online | 5,950-8,950 | Same national promo pricing |
| SLRC — Cebu | Cebu City | Face-to-face | Not published | Also covers NLE, LET, CSE |
Fee data above reflects publicly advertised rates as of mid-2026 where available. Many centers, including CBRC and SLRC, do not publish criminology-specific fees online — contact the branch directly for a current quote.
How much does a criminology review center cost, by tier?
Independent cost breakdowns of CLE review pricing generally sort into three bands, consistent with patterns across other licensure reviews covered in our review center cost guide:
- Budget tier (roughly PHP 5,000-8,000): Programs like CEVAS's promo-rate criminology track, plus smaller regional centers.
- Mid tier (roughly PHP 8,000-15,000): Established multi-branch providers, where pricing reflects a longer program and more mock exams.
- Premium tier (PHP 15,000 and up): One-on-one or intensive coaching formats, which some centers offer as an add-on to their standard group review.
On top of review fees, budget for the PRC's own examination fee, which has run around PHP 900 for the CLE, plus incidental LERIS processing costs.
A one-line disclaimer applies here too: review center fees and PRC exam fees change per school year and application cycle — verify current amounts with the review center and with PRC (prc.gov.ph) before paying.
What is the current CLE passing rate?
The PRC reported that 30,320 out of 45,936 examinees, or 66.00%, passed the February 2026 Licensure Examination for Criminologists — a figure PRC-focused outlets described as the highest national passing rate recorded in modern history for this exam. The topnotcher, Khim Erole L. Batersal of Lanao School of Science and Technology, scored 93.05%.
That said, national CLE passing rates have swung more widely across past administrations — sometimes well below 50% — because the exam draws one of the largest examinee pools of any PRC licensure exam. Treat the February 2026 figure as a strong recent data point rather than an expectation for every future session, and check the PRC website for the latest results before your own exam date.
How to choose the right criminology review center
Weigh network size against specialization. CBRC's scale (181 branches, ISO certification) means consistency and broad availability, while a smaller, criminology-only center like Amici can mean instructors and materials built entirely around the CLE's six subjects.
Ask what the fee actually includes. Several centers in this guide, including CBRC and SLRC, do not publish criminology fees online. Before enrolling, ask specifically what's covered: printed materials, mock exams, online access, and whether there's a separate deposit.
Check for discounts you may qualify for. CEVAS offers extra discounts for honor students and for high scores on its diagnostic test — ask any center you're considering whether similar discounts apply to you.
Consider your commute and boarding costs. If you're relocating temporarily for review, factor in transportation and lodging near your chosen center's branch, whether in Manila or Cebu, on top of the review fee itself.
Confirm the schedule against your target exam date. Since the CLE is typically held more than once a year, align your review program's finish date with your specific application window rather than assuming a fixed annual schedule.
Ready to find the right school? Browse schools or compare tuition and reviews across hundreds of Philippine schools on SchoolFinderPH. Explore all review centers on SchoolFinderPH. If you're still choosing a criminology program, see our best criminology schools in the Philippines guide, and for full exam coverage, weights, and application steps, read our criminology board exam guide.
Sources
- PRC: February 2026 Licensure Examination for Criminologists Results Released in Twenty-Six (26) Working Days
- Tribune: Over 30,000 pass February 2026 criminology board exam
- WIPO: CBRC — Adult Education Company Creates International IP Portfolio
- Carl Balita Review Center — official program page
- CEVAS — Criminology Review Center page
- CEVAS Cebu — Criminology Review Center page
- Amici Review Center — official site
- SchoolFinderPH: Best Review Centers in Cebu City
- SchoolFinderPH: 12 Best Review Centers in Manila