The Law Enforcement Academy, Basic Recruit Training program is a 22-week (770 hours) program that provides training to prepare a student for the physical and mental demands of a career as a Florida police officer or deputy sheriff. Training and classes take place Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 12:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Students must be hired and sponsored by an agency.
Requirements for entry into the Police Academy are:
U.S. citizenship
Age 19 or higher
Good driving record with no tickets
Possess a high school diploma or GED (college background highly desirable)
Clean criminal record
Test requirements are:
Florida Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test for Law Enforcement (CJBAT)
Upon satisfactory completion of this 420-hour program, students will be eligible to take the State Officer Certification exam for Corrections Officers as prescribed in Florida State Statute Chapter 943.17(1).
Monday through Friday,7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Corrections Officer/Deputy PSAV certification program prepares you to train to become a State of Florida corrections officer. Corrections officers/deputies typically work in:
City jails
County jails
State prisons
They are responsible for the supervising, care, custody, and physical restraint, when necessary, of inmates.
Courses for the certificate program train you to:
Apply first aid safely
Prepare for an emergency
Defend yourself and others
Information on how to become a Corrections Officer:
Corrections Officer Crossover to Law Enforcement Officer Academy
The Law Enforcement Officer Crossover from Correctional Officer PSAV certificate program is designed to train you if you are currently certified in the corrections discipline to laterally move to the law enforcement discipline. This course recognizes your previous training in a basic certification program and meets all requirements of the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
Upon satisfactory completion, students will be eligible to take the CJSTC Certification Examination, as prescribed in Florida Statute § 943.17(1).
This process is intended for out-of-state officers, federal or military officers, and previously certified Florida officers with a four-year or more break in service pursuant to section 943.131(2). An officer cannot have more than an 8-year break in service in order to be eligible for this process. The Equivalency of Training Process allows an officer to be exempt from the full basic recruit academy.
Eligibility Requirements:
Worked for at least one year as a full-time (40 hours per week) sworn officer in the discipline that you are seeking;
Attended an academy comparable to Florida's basic recruit full-time academy or
Were previously certified in Florida
Once approved, you will receive an Equivalency of Training CJSTC Form 76.
You will then need to demonstrate proficiency in the high liability areas and pass the state certification exam in the same discipline within 1-year of receipt of the approved Equivalency of Training CJSTC Form 76.
You can attend the 92-hour high liability courses at the following local locations: Palm Beach State College - Main Number 561-207-5000
You must take and successfully complete your State Officer Certification Exam (SOCE)
We process EOTs here at Broward College but currently do not offer any of the courses needed to complete the EOT. In addition, your $295.00 processing fee does not include the high-liability courses you must demonstrate proficiency in or your State Officer Certification Exam. Those are additional fees.
College Credit Based on Academy Completion and Experience
Students may earn college credit toward a Criminal Justice degree through Prior Experiential Learning by completing a Police, Corrections, or PSA Academy. For specific requirements, please click on one of the below Academies:
Yes, in most cases you can. You must contact one of the approved selection centers or an employing agency and provide them with documentation proving that you have worked at least one year as a full-time certified officer, and have comparable training to Florida’s basic recruit training program. Once the selection center or agency determines your eligibility, you will be issued an approved CJSTC Form 76.
Upon receipt of this approval, you will have one year to demonstrate proficiency in the high liability areas (which may take one to two weeks) and pass the State Officer Certification Exam.
If you cannot complete this process within one year from receiving the approved Application for Equivalency, you must complete the full basic recruit training program pursuant to s. 943.131(2), F.S. You are only allowed one Equivalency
Per the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, you are only permitted three opportunities to pass.
Individuals who do not pass after three attempts must complete the applicable Basic Recruit Training Program and reapply to take the State Officer Certification Exam.
You are required to take the SOCE within one year of receiving the exemption, according to the Florida State Statute 943.121.
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