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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Kym5nxw0Rej1KyurImMcvtP6DPSykJ8oaSZboUwbjkW47KiHe1VsoSkJO09GBXUD
 BO+hVW6o7RPMDrrse58TEQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000725897-04-000003.txt : 20040412
<SEC-HEADER>0000725897-04-000003.hdr.sgml : 20040412
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040412190248
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000725897-04-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040412

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CLARKSON GARY D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001160096

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-11353
		FILM NUMBER:		04729408

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1025 E. IVYGLEN ST.
		CITY:			MESA
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85203
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5103513500

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CIRCUIT RESEARCH LABS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000725897
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3663]
		IRS NUMBER:				860344671
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			AZ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1302 W DRIVERS WAY
		CITY:			TEMPE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85284
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6024380888

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1302 W DRIVERS WAY
		CITY:			TEMPE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85284
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000725897</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CIRCUIT RESEARCH LABS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CRLI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001160096</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CLARKSON GARY D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President and Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $.10 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value>L</value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1102.59</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1915.86</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-01-23</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2005-01-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, par value $.10 per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents shares acquired under the Issuer's Employee Monthly Stock Investment
Plan. The plan is offered to substantially all employees, including officers.
Employees may purchase the Company's common stock through payroll deductions not
exceeding $250 per week.  A non-affiliated dealer on the open market purchases
shares at the market price.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Gary D. Clarkson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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