PCL-5 PTSD Screening Checklist

The PCL-5 PTSD Screening Checklist digitizes the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, a 20-item self-report measure developed by the National Center for PTSD to assess the presence and severity of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Each item corresponds to one of the 20 DSM-5 PTSD symptoms, organized into four clusters: intrusion symptoms (re-experiencing the traumatic event through flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive memories), avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and marked alterations in arousal and reactivity. Patients rate how much they have been bothered by each symptom over the past month on a 0-4 scale (not at all, a little bit, moderately, quite a bit, extremely).

The digital form automatically calculates the total severity score (range 0-80) and provides a provisional PTSD assessment. A total score of 31-33 is the recommended cut-point for probable PTSD diagnosis, though clinical judgment and structured interviews remain necessary for definitive diagnosis. The form also generates cluster-specific subscores for intrusion, avoidance, negative cognitions and mood, and arousal and reactivity, enabling clinicians to identify the most prominent symptom domains and tailor treatment accordingly. Change scores between administrations help monitor treatment response, with a 5-10 point change considered reliable and a 10-20 point change considered clinically meaningful.

This template is essential for behavioral health clinics, VA and military health facilities, primary care practices screening for trauma exposure, and any clinical setting serving populations with elevated PTSD risk including first responders, survivors of interpersonal violence, and refugees. The PCL-5 is one of the most extensively validated PTSD measures available and is freely distributed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It can be used as a standalone screener, a diagnostic aid when paired with clinical interview, or a repeated-measure outcome tool in treatment studies and quality improvement programs.