Instrument reference
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
Public domain (developer statement) Licence statement checked
- Construct measured
- The 20 DSM-5 symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Category
- Trauma-related symptoms
- Intended population
- Adults exposed to a traumatic event.
- Number of items
- 20 items (per the National Center for PTSD).
- Administration format
- Self-report; versions for the past month and past week, with and without a Criterion A component.
- Scoring approach
- The developer page states it can be used for screening, monitoring change and making a provisional diagnosis. This catalogue does not reproduce items or scoring tables.
- Language and population validation
- A Spanish version is listed but noted as not validated in published research; other translations need individual checking.
Reliability and validity evidence
- Developed by the National Center for PTSD to align with DSM-5 criteria. — Weathers et al. (2013)
Interpretation cautions
- The developer notes that the gold standard for diagnosing PTSD is a structured clinical interview.
- Interpretation should be made by a clinician.
- Asking about trauma requires a safe, trauma-informed context.
Copyright and licence
Public domain (developer statement)
National Center for PTSD: the measure is in the public domain and not copyrighted; it is intended for use by qualified health professionals and researchers.
The developer states the instrument is in the public domain. Confirm the exact version on the official page; translations may have their own conditions.
Official source
National Center for PTSD — PCL-5 (opens in a new tab)
Rights and evidence last verified: 2026-10-19.