Professional Licensure and Online Programs - Law Enforcement

Alaska Agency Website

Basic Academy
650 hours by Regulation
Actual Academy Length: Over 1,000 hours

Reciprocity Academy
80 hours by Regulation
Actual Academy Length: 120 hours

Conditions: The Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC) is Alaska’s POST. The council may, at its discretion, waive part or all of the basic academy training if an applicant furnishes satisfactory evidence that the applicant successfully completed another certified police academy that was at least 650 hours in length and include the following topics of instruction:

1. Disability awareness and working with those with disabilities
2. Blood borne pathogens
3. Ethics
4. Constitutional law and civil rights
5. Control tactics
6. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic first aid, and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)
7. Criminal investigation including:
   1. Controlled substances
   2. Crimes against minors
   3. Sex crimes and human trafficking (Minimum of 12 hours instruction on Sexual Assault)
8. The criminal justice system
9. Criminal law and procedure
10. Crime scene investigation
11. Cultural diversity
12. Domestic violence (Minimum of 12 Hours)
13. Driving under the influence, field sobriety training, and use of a scientific instrument to analyze a sample of a person’s breath and determine the breath alcohol content of that sample
14. Electronic evidence and identity theft
15. Classroom and practical emergency vehicle operations
16. Emotional survival, police stress, and trauma
17. Mental health issues
18. Firearms, including:
    1. Classroom instruction
    2. Handguns, practical instruction
    3. Handguns, practical instruction, low-light operations
    4. Long guns, practical instruction
    5. Long guns, practical instruction, low-light operations
19. Hazardous materials
20. Interview and interrogation
21. Juvenile law and procedure
22. Patrol procedures
23. Police tools, including TASER, oleoresin capsicum, baton, handcuffs, and radar
24. Professional communication
25. Radio procedures
26. Report writing
27. Search and seizure and search warrants
28. Social media
29. Traffic law and stops, including practical scenarios and accident investigation
30. Use of force

APSC exercises discretion by individually evaluating a reciprocal applicant’s entire training history to determine if the above criteria have been met. For example, an officer with many years of experience and hours of in-service and advanced training is likely eligible for Alaska reciprocity despite their basic academy, years earlier, only being 450 hours in length. Additionally, prior police experience is recognized in Alaska toward Intermediate and Advanced officer certification. Interested applicants are urged to contact APSC if they have any questions. To ultimately obtain Alaska Certification, the reciprocal applicant must:

• Meet the minimum standards for a police officer under Alaska’s statutes and regulations;
• Successfully complete the Alaska reciprocity academy or an equivalent;
• Successfully complete an approved field training program with an Alaskan agency;
• Successfully complete a 12-month, full-time, probationary employment period as an officer with an APSC member agency.

Arkansas Agency Website

Basic Academy: 520 Hours

Conditions: Waiver for equivalent training candidates from other states are required to first be hired by an Arkansas law enforcement agency, thus meeting all applicable state pre-employment standards. Then, the agency may request from the Arkansas Commission an application packet to attend a mandatory refresher course. Failure to satisfactorily complete the course with a minimum score of 70% on the written examination(s) and a minimum score of 80% on firearms qualification will result in the candidate being required to attend the full basic academy.

• The Arkansas Commission may waive basic training upon presentation of documented evidence including course content and clock hours by a department that an officer has satisfactorily completed equivalent training.
• Training received in a state with laws governing or regulating law enforcement training must, if subject to such review, have been approved or certified in the state in which the training was received.
• The Commission may elect to prescribe as a condition of certification the satisfactory completion of the Law Enforcement Officer Refresher Course or other supplementary or remedial training necessary to equate previous training with current standards.
• For certification purposes, the full-time law enforcement officers who have not met the minimum classroom hours of training, but have accumulated at least 50% of the required hours may, at the discretion of the Commission, receive ten (10) classroom hours of credit for each year of full-time law enforcement experience.
• Those who qualify for this equivalent training waiver will be required to satisfactorily complete the Law Enforcement Refresher Course.
• Should the officer fail to satisfactorily complete the Refresher Course, he or she will be required to attend the Basic Police Training Course at a Commission-approved training facility.
• Where approved by the Commission, individuals who meet all other requirements of certification, and who receive a waiver under this regulation, shall be entitled to certification after the completion of the appropriate probationary period.

Colorado Agency Website

Basic Academy: 548 hours

Conditions: Training required for basic certification may be obtained through a training program conducted by a POST approved training academy or completion of requirements from another state or Federal jurisdiction having standards determined to be substantially equivalent to Colorado POST Rules.

To be eligible for Colorado basic certification, an applicant must:

• Have been authorized to act as a peace officer in another state or Federal jurisdiction, excluding the armed forces, for at least the preceding three years and served as a certified law enforcement officer in good standing in such other state or Federal jurisdiction for more than one year in the preceding three years.
• Possess and submit a copy of high school diploma, high school equivalency certificate, or other evidence of completion of high school.
• Possess and submit a copy of current first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificates, or equivalents.
• Truthfully complete and submit a Colorado POST-approved application and a notarized copy of the Release of Information form.
• Successfully complete the fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
• Submit a check from a law enforcement agency, certified check, or money order for the certification examination as well as each skill exam.

Additionally, all applicants must:

• Successfully pass the Colorado POST written certification examination;
• Successfully pass Colorado POST approved proficiency exams in three specific skill areas (arrest control tactics, firearms, and law enforcement driving) through the test out process or by attending a POST authorized refresher academy; or

Applicants applying for basic certification may obtain a six month provisional letter upon approval of eligibility. If the applicant is not actively serving in a certified law enforcement position in the other state or federal agency within six months of applying for the provisional certification, the POST certification examination must be passed prior to being awarded a provisional certification. If the applicant is actively serving in the other state and is hired by an agency in Colorado, they will have six months in which to pass the POST certification exam.

Approved skills training or skills testing must be completed during the applicant’s provisional status in order to be awarded basic certification.

All applicants must pass a psychological and medical examination prior to their first employment in the state.

Delaware Agency Website

Basic Academy: 584 hours

Conditions: The Council on Police Training may waive the requirement of attending an approved Delaware Police Training Academy for those officers seeking Delaware certification of training after having completed equivalent training out-of-state, and having met all training considered indigenous to Delaware. The Chief of Police of the municipality seeking waiver of training obtained in Delaware must submit to Council an application for Exemption from Mandatory Training.

The application must be completed in its entirety and submitted to the Administrator prior to appointment by the requesting agency. The officer must enclose a copy of the certificate of training from the police academy, which provided police basic training. The officer must also enclose a copy of the curriculum from that academy which must include: description of courses taught; hours assigned to each course; and, a brief synopsis of the material taught in each course.

The Administrator will examine the equivalent training records and make a comparison with the Delaware Mandatory Requirements. Any areas not meeting Delaware Standards will be required, prior to submission of the waiver application to Council for consideration. If an applicant has completed an out-of-state Academy, but has not worked full time in law enforcement during the five years immediately prior to the date of application, that Applicant must attend an approved Academy in its entirety. If the Council should determine that the out-of-state training was in the main, deficient, it may deny the waiver in its totality and require attendance at an approved Delaware police training academy.

If an applicant, upon review of their training, needs to take more than 40% of the minimum number of hours of training in the state of Delaware, then they must attend a Delaware approved Academy in its entirety.

If the Council should determine that the out-of-state training was in the main, deficient, it may deny the waiver in its totality and require attendance at an approved Delaware police training school.

Georgia Agency Website

Basic Academy: 404 hours

Conditions: Georgia provides an equivalency rating procedure for eligible Federal peace officers, military peace officers, out-of-state peace officers, pre-service candidates, and inactive registered Georgia peace officers actively employed in law enforcement or who have graduated from a basic law enforcement training course within the last three years.

• Applicants must meet eligibility requirements and then complete a 200-hour course that is offered at a POST-certified academy.
• The course features topics which include Georgia criminal law, traffic law, and other legal topics, as well as high-liability topics such as CPR, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, use of force, etc. The course also has comprehensive cognitive and performance testing.

Illinois Agency Website

Basic Academy: 560 hours

Conditions: When employing a law enforcement applicant who has previously been certified as a law enforcement officer in another state, the hiring agency may request a conditional waiver of Illinois basic law enforcement training if the officer meets the conditions outlined below.

Candidates must have successfully completed a basic law enforcement training course at a POST certified academy with a curriculum deemed equivalent to the Illinois Law Enforcement Basic Training Course, which is currently 560 hours in length.

Candidates must have successfully completed a probationary period of at least six months while employed full-time with a law enforcement agency in the state where they were trained.

Candidates must not have had a substantial break in service prior to the reciprocity waiver submission.

Before a waiver of training may be submitted, candidates must first be hired by a bona fide Illinois law enforcement agency. Therefore, candidates must meet all applicable Illinois pre-employment standards.

Waiver applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to ILETSB by the hiring agency.

Upon approval of the waiver application, candidates will be required to attend either a full or abbreviated Mandatory Firearms Training course and an Illinois Law for Police Officers course. Upon completion of these requirements, candidates will be allowed one attempt to pass the equivalency exam.

Failure to successfully pass the equivalency exam would necessitate attendance at an Illinois basic law enforcement training academy.

Summary:

• Candidates must first be hired by a law enforcement agency.
• Applications for waiver and all documentation must come from the hiring agency.
• ILETSB assesses whether the training and experience are sufficient for the candidate to be eligible to receive a waiver of basic training.
• The candidate must then pass all requirements outlined in the conditional waiver letter, which may include, but is not limited to the following:
  • Mandatory Firearms Training (full or abbreviated)
  • Illinois Law for Police Course
  • Equivalency Exam

Responsibility of the Hiring Agency:
The hiring agency must provide the following to ILETSB when hiring an out-of-state trained officer:

1. A FORM E and WAIVER submitted through the Board's LEDI System
2. Authorization to Obtain and Release Information signed by the officer
3. A copy of the candidate’s FBI criminal history check based upon the 10-print submission
4. A copy of the candidate’s Basic Training Certificate (if available)

The Notice of Appointment must be submitted electronically through the Board’s LEDI system. The supplemental documentation must be submitted electronically to the ILETSB office to begin the waiver review process. Please email those documents to the ILETSB office.

After the Board has verified the Basic Training from the out-of-state POST, a letter will be sent to the hiring agency indicating the requirements needed to fulfill the conditions of the waiver.

Important Things to Know:
Until ILETSB can confirm the officer’s certification status from his or her home state, the officer is not authorized to carry a firearm. Rather than waiting for the issuance of the conditional waiver letter, the hiring agency may wish to enroll the officer in a 40-hour Mandatory Firearms Training course through their local MTU. Successful completion of this course would allow the officer to carry a firearm in the interim period, and would supersede the firearms training requirement in the conditional waiver.

The officer must meet the conditions of the waiver, within six months from date of hire, to become certified in Illinois. Failure to meet this deadline will result in the denial of the waiver. At that point, the officer will need either to be separated from the law enforcement agency, or enrolled to attend an Illinois basic law enforcement academy.

Military law enforcement training does not meet the conditions for reciprocity in Illinois.

Reciprocity for a former federal officer differs significantly, due to the specialized training and record checks involved. For guidance related to the hiring of former federal officers, please contact the ILETSB office.

Iowa Agency Website

Basic Academy: 619 hours

Conditions: Iowa rules provide that a law enforcement officer hired by an Iowa agency, who has met all minimum standards for Iowa law enforcement officers, who has been certified in another state and that certification is currently valid, and who does not have more than a 12-month break in service, may be eligible for certification through examination. An extension to the 12 month break in service may be granted by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Council.

• Application must be made within 120 days of the hiring date and must be achieved within one year (Per State of Iowa Code 3.8(5)).
• Formal documentation of official certification and training must be provided.
• If the applicant has five or more years of experience, a “short form” examination is administered; less than five years, a “long form” examination is taken (per State of Iowa Code 3.8(1) and 3.8(2)).
• Study guides are provided. The applicant must achieve a score of 70% in each testing area. Retesting is permitted within 60 days. If failed again, the applicant must attend that block of instruction in a basic school.
• The applicant is required to fire a qualifying course with the applicant's handgun on an Academy range under the supervision of an Academy firearms instructor (per State of Iowa Code 3.8(4)(b)).
• The applicant must possess first aid training and provide documentation of current first responder or more advanced certification recognized by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, and current CPR certification (per State of Iowa Code 3.8(4)(c)).

Kentucky Agency Website

Basic Academy: 768 hours

Conditions: The Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC) has approved procedures for accepting police basic training taken in another state. In general, the following conditions need to be met and supported with documentation:

• The applicant must submit the following:
  • A copy of the topics and hours of the basic course taken including a breakdown of hours per class and total hours graduated with.
  • Documentation indicating successful completion of the course.
  • Documentation that the basic course taken was approved or certified by that state’s POST commission.
  • An official document showing that the applicant has worked at least one year full time in the state they were certified in.
• Any basic course taken after December 1, 1998, must be equal or exceed the hours required of Kentucky peace officer (640-hours standard). Exceptions exist for officers who have honorably retired from their previous department.
• The officer must complete the following courses within one year of employment in Kentucky: Legal Update and Penal Code, Constitutional Procedures, Basic Officer Skills and Homeland Security course.
• The officer must complete a KLEC approved 40 hour in-service course annually.

Maine Agency Website

Basic Academy: 720 hours

Conditions: The Board of Trustees for the Maine Criminal Justice Academy may grant a waiver to a person employed as a law enforcement officer in Maine who has completed a state or federally regulated entry level law enforcement training program provided that:

• The applicant satisfies all Basic Law Enforcement Training entrance standards including:
  • Minimum age of 21, or age 20 with 60 college credit hours.
  • At least a high school graduate.
  • A valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
  • No criminal convictions for, or shall have not engaged in conduct which is penalized as, Class A, B, C, or D crimes; or violations of the Maine Criminal Code, chapters 15, 19, 25, 29, 31, 35, 41 or 45.
  • Must be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation conducted by the hiring agency.
  • Shall be able to read and write at a level necessary to master the law enforcement basic training course as determined by the use of a reading and writing test.
• Must be employed as a full time law enforcement officer or have received a conditional offer of employment as a full time law enforcement officer.
• Must provide a detailed curriculum of the state or federally regulated entry level law enforcement program completed in another state and document all other courses taken.
• Must complete, or meet, the training standards of the Maine Law Enforcement Pre-Service Training Program, plus qualify with a firearm on the MCJA course of fire by a certified MCJA Firearms Instructor and have thorough background check completed.
• Must pass a polygraph examination and a psychological examination by a State of Maine licensed polygraph examiner and psychological examiner.
• If the Board of Trustees finds that the applicant meets the entrance standards and has completed an equivalent course, it may grant a conditional waiver that shall become final if, within one year of employment, the applicant successfully passes the Maine Law Enforcement Officers’ Certification Examination.

Massachusetts Agency Website

Basic Academy: 812+ hours

Conditions: A person who has been employed as a full-time police officer for a minimum of two years in another state and is being hired in Massachusetts may qualify for a Permanent Exemption from recruit training.
In order to determine whether they might qualify for this exemption, an individual may request an advisory letter. To request such a letter, an individual needs to submit the following paperwork to the Director of Training for review:

• Copy of the basic recruit curriculum of the academy attended
• Breakdown of course titles and course hours
• Total hours of the curriculum
• Copy of graduation certificate
• Current résumé

An advisory letter will be provided to the transferring police officer and will contain a statement that would suggest a favorable or unfavorable Permanent Exemption would be forthcoming if the request was presented to the Municipal Police Training Committee for formal consideration. This letter could then be forwarded to a police department chief and/or the appointing authority, who would ultimately apply for a Permanent Exemption on behalf of the police officer. Because of statutory restrictions, a final determination can only be given to the appointing authority upon an offer of employment.

Permanent Exemption: When a person from out-of-state has been hired by a Massachusetts municipal, University of Massachusetts, or environmental police department on a full time basis and has already been through a Basic Recruit Officer Course in another state, he or she may be qualified for a Permanent Exemption from the Massachusetts basic academy. By statute, the actual application for a Permanent Exemption must be filed by the appointing authority of the employing municipal department and must be accompanied by the following:

• Current certification in CPR and First Aid
• Current qualification in use of firearms by a Municipal Police Training Committee-Certified Instructor
• Certificate of completion of a Recruit Officer Course substantially equivalent to the Municipal Police Training Committee Recruit Officer Course
• Basic Recruit Officer Course Curriculum
• Current résumé demonstrating at least two years of service as a full-time police officer upon graduation from the Recruit Officer Course

For officers from out of state who seek to become a reserve/intermittent police officer, a full-time officer who has graduated from a full-time police academy in another state may be exempted from attending reserve basic training upon petition from the appointing chief of police, provided the officer has a minimum of two years of law enforcement experience since completion of the entry-level police academy and also completes the Municipal Police Training Committee’s established orientation program.

Minnesota Agency Website

Basic Academy: Completion of Board-certified program of professional peace officer education and a degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Conditions: The Board has approved procedures for accepting police basic training taken in another state and some federal law enforcement training. In general, the following conditions need to be met and supported with documentation.

• An applicant must meet the following basic requirements to qualify for reciprocity:
  • Five years of employment as a sworn law enforcement officer, served during the past six years, after completing basic police education, OR;
  • Three years of employment as a sworn law enforcement officer, served during the past six years, after completing basic police education, combined with a post-secondary degree from a regionally accredited post-secondary education institution.

Applicants who meet these requirements must pass a written examination that is based on adult and juvenile Minnesota Criminal Laws, Minnesota Criminal Procedures, Minnesota Traffic Laws and law enforcement best practices.

NOTE: Law enforcement experience must be as a fully certified or licensed law enforcement officer in another state or in certain branches of Federal law enforcement. Federal service must be in a position that is classified as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer by the Office of Personnel Management.

• Additionally, Minnesota statute recognizes military police service for reciprocity under the following conditions:
  • Four complete years of relevant military experience in a law enforcement occupational specialty position, OR;
  • Two complete years of relevant military experience in a law enforcement occupational specialty and a post-secondary degree from a regionally accredited post-secondary education institution, OR;
  • Four years cumulative experience in a civilian full time sworn peace officer position and relevant military experience in a law enforcement occupational specialty position.

Missouri Agency Website

Basic Academy: Class A (600 hours)

Conditions: Missouri laws and regulations allow for an officer to transfer laterally from another state provided he or she meets certain minimum requirements and passes a comprehensive state licensing examination. Eligibility to take the examination is determined by a points assessment process. The points process assesses basic law enforcement training, years of experience (both full-time and reserve), college degree, and law enforcement related continuing education. Candidates who have less than 120 hours of basic training are not eligible to apply.

The POST Licensing Section is responsible for evaluating the qualifications of persons applying to be licensed in Missouri. The License Application for Veteran Peace Officers and Peace Officer Licensing Handbook are available under the POST Forms section of the website.

• Information that must be returned with the application includes:
  • Copy of High School Diploma, GED, or college degree;
  • Copy of Birth Certificate, Passport, or Naturalization Documentation as proof of U.S. citizenship. If name has been changed, include marriage license, divorce decree, or legal name change documentation;
  • Photocopy of current state issued driver’s license;
  • Completed, signed, and notarized Missouri Peace Officer License Legal Questionnaire and Authorization for Release of Information;
  • A letter from each law enforcement agency listed verifying either full-time or reserve/part-time employment during dates indicated;
  • Copy of basic law enforcement training certificate;
  • Copy of military police Enlisted Record Brief/Officer Record Brief, and/or DD Form 214 (if applicable);
  • Verification from the state licensing entity that applicant was/is the holder of a valid peace officer license in his or her state if indicated;
  • Verification of hours of continuing education attended while employed as a peace, federal, or military police officer as indicated; and
  • Verification of graduation from FBI National Academy, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety Staff and Command School or the Southern Police Institute Police Executive Development Course if indicated
• Applicants must complete a State and FBI background check as instructed in the application.
• Applicants who are denied a license have a right of appeal to the state’s Administrative Hearing Commission.

Nebraska Agency Website

Basic Academy: 627 hours

Conditions: Nebraska provides a program whereby state and federal law enforcement officers, as well as qualified military police officers may receive reciprocity certification. A person does not need to be employed by a Nebraska agency to apply and complete the reciprocity program and receive a diploma. Applicants must meet the following prerequisites to apply for reciprocity certification:

• Must have successfully completed a basic law enforcement training course or formalized training as a military police officer.
• Must have a combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to the Nebraska basic certification course.
• Must be a licensed or certified officer from another jurisdiction.
• Must have been appointed and worked as a full or part time law enforcement officer within the previous two years from the date of application. (Reserve and auxiliary status not accepted)
• Must have worked a minimum of 180 days as a full or part time law enforcement officer in the state of certification or military officer in a branch of the United States Military. (Reserve and auxiliary status not accepted)
• Must not have had their certification revoked or suspended for disciplinary reasons.

Applicants are required to submit documentation of all relevant training and education, their law enforcement certification, and documentation that they have left their previous law enforcement employers in good standing. Applicants meeting all prerequisite standards must take and pass a law enforcement comprehensive exam with a minimum score of 70%. Applicants must then take and pass the reciprocity certification course. Applicants who meet all standards and pass the reciprocity certification course receive a diploma. An applicant receives Nebraska certification upon appointment as a law enforcement officer with a Nebraska agency.

New Hampshire Agency Website

Basic Academy: 684 hours

Conditions: The Administrative rules of the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council allow the Council to waive all or part of the basic training requirements if the applicant has successfully completed a comparable POST basic training program in another state. Waiver requests must be filed with POST by the hiring agency with full documentation including a copy of the out-of-state certification and the training curriculum completed. We do not recognize military or Federal training academies or college degrees as equivalent training.

• If you are currently serving as a certified, academy-trained, full-time police officer in another state, you may be eligible to have some subjects waived in our Academy and only attend the “New Hampshire Law Package” training, and pass tests on these modules. You still must meet all the pre-hiring and background investigation requirements, pass the medical and psychological exams and the physical fitness test. You will also be required to pass the on-going physical fitness test every three years to maintain your New Hampshire certification. We are reciprocal with all other states in the US and recognize their training if it is at least equal in scope to ours. Any classes you did not have in your state of origin, you may be required to take in our Academy. If our analysis of your out-of-state training requires you to take the equivalent of 30% or more of our total Academy hours, you will be required to attend our entire Academy.
• An officer previously certified in another state, may be eligible for New Hampshire certification based on prior training and experience only if the basic training they attended meets the basic requirements for content and hours of training compatible with the current New Hampshire academy, to be determined on a case-by-case basis due to variations in the curriculum in out-of state training programs.
• An out-of-state officer will be required to provide a copy of the curriculum of the basic academy they attended, with a detailed description of courses completed and hours of training to demonstrate that it is comparable with standards required by Police Standards and Training Council including the major liability areas of Driving, Firearms, and Defensive Tactics.
• The POST staff evaluates the training and makes recommendations to the Council, which may or may not accept them.
• If the Council determines that an out-of-state officer is eligible for certification based on prior training and experience, the officer will be required to pass a medical examination according to Council protocol, the entrance fitness test, and the law package for the appropriate academy, and any other training the Council determines is appropriate.
• Waiver applicants must pass the Cooper physical fitness assessment at the 35th percentile, a fingerprint and background check, and a comprehensive medical examination.

New Mexico Agency Website

Basic Academy: 677 hours

Conditions: A Certification by Waiver (CBW) process exists for: (1) Officers whom the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board has previously certified but whose certification has become inactive; (2) Officers who have functioned as a certified peace officer in another state or with the Federal government whose training and experience substantially conforms to the basic police officer course curriculum of New Mexico; or (3) Active duty Military Police Officers with a four (4) year enlistment and meet the requirements listed in 10.29.6.11 of the New Mexico Administrative Code.

• Every applicant for CBW must meet all qualifications and requirements as established in New Mexico Statues 29-7-6 NMSA 1978, Qualifications for Certification and New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board Administrative Rules (10.29.1 through 10.29.10 New Mexico Administrative Code). This includes, US Citizen, High School Diploma or equivalent, Valid Driver’s License, comprehensive medical and psychological exams, criminal history-background, not been released or discharged under dishonorable conditions from any of the armed forces of the United States, and is of good moral character.
• Any previously certified New Mexico peace officer must attend the CBW Training Program if they have been out of commissioned law enforcement for more than two (2) years, but less the eight (8) years. Any formerly New Mexico state-certified applicant who has not been employed as a full-time law enforcement officer for a period in excess of eight (8) years must attend the basic police officer training program to become certified.
• In the event a certified officer from another state or duly commissioned officer from a federal agency makes application for certification in the state of New Mexico, he or she must meet all qualifications for certification listed in 29-7-6 NMSA 1978 and other requirements as determined by the director.
• Any applicant who has not been employed as a full-time law enforcement officer for a period in excess of eight (8) years must attend the basic police officer training program to become certified.
• Any applicant who has successfully completed an accredited law enforcement academy from another state, but has never been certified, must secure a law enforcement position with a recognized New Mexico law enforcement agency within one (1) year of academy completion and must meet all other qualifications and requirements as determined by the director to be eligible for certification by waiver.
• All previously certified out-of-state applicants and uncertified out of state academy graduates must attend the CBW Training Program.

Certification by Waiver of Previous Training will include:

1. Ethics and sexual harassment - 8 hours
2. Search and seizure - 16 hours
3. New Mexico legal block - 16 hours
4. Handling the mentally ill - 8 hours
5. Use of force, and training simulator - 16 hours
6. Domestic violence and human trafficking - 8 hours
7. Reality based training scenarios - 4 hours
8. Administrative time – 1 hour
9. Law Enforcement officers certification exam - three (3) hours; and
10. Eighty hours of academy-accredited training is required for successful completion of the certification by waiver of previous training courses.

To be eligible for certification, the applicant shall be required to successfully complete the two (2) phase application process:

• Application Part 1
• Application Part 2

The applicant must also complete the 80-hour CBW Training Program, including the Law Enforcement Officer’s Certification Exam with a score of 70% or greater in order to demonstrate proficiency.
Training is tuition based for both law enforcement agency candidates and civilian trainees.

North Carolina Agency Website

Basic Academy: 640 hours

Conditions: Minimum employment, training, and retention standards for law enforcement and criminal justice officers of North Carolina is decided between the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Board and the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. The Sheriffs’ Commission covers deputy sheriffs, detention officers, and telecommunicators, while the Criminal Justice Commission covers all other law enforcement, state corrections, youth services, and local confinement officers. Private police are commissioned by the Attorney General who adopts the Criminal Justice Commission minimum standards by references. Mandated training curricula for both Commissions are prepared, updated, and distributed by the North Carolina Justice Academy and delivered locally by the Department of Community College Institutions as well as some law enforcement agencies.
North Carolina is the only state having two regulatory bodies (Sheriffs and Criminal Justice) that promulgate minimum standards in the criminal justice field. Officers may hold as many as two public offices at one time and, thus, could come under the purview of both Commissions at once.

Criminal Justice Commission: Conditions for the transfer of certification are:

• Cannot have a break in full-time, sworn law enforcement service exceeding one year.
• Must have a minimum of two years full-time, sworn law enforcement experience.
• Document successful completion of an accredited basic law enforcement training program in the state from which transferring.
• Must meet minimum standards for employment.
• Neither Federal nor military training experience is recognized.
• Qualified applicants must serve a 12 month probationary period.

Sheriffs’ Commission: To transfer certification, an individual must first be deemed a “qualified applicant” by meeting the following requirements:

• Exceed a one-year break in service.
• Minimum standards for employment.
• Two years full-time sworn law enforcement experience either in North Carolina, another state, or another Federal agency.
• Have held certification from the appropriate certifying or licensing agency from which transferring.
• Serve a 12 month probationary period.

Qualified North Carolina applicants, qualified out-of-state transferees, and qualified Federal transferees shall be allowed to either: (1) complete the Basic Enforcement Training Course in its entirety or (2) attempt to challenge the entire state examination and pass a skills assessment.

Ohio Agency Website

Basic Academy: 728 hours

Conditions: The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) may accept prior training and education as equivalent to Ohio peace officer basic training (Ohio Administrative Code Section 109:2-1-12(B)(1)). In addition to any assigned training, individuals must also pass the Ohio state certification exam.

Officers who have met the following criteria may apply for an equivalency determination:

• Appointed as a peace officer in Ohio. The officer must first to be appointed by an Ohio agency, although a full-time appointment is not required. If the officer found an agency that would commission the officer as a part-time, full-time, auxiliary, special, or reserve officer, OPOTC could begin this analysis;
• Currently certified as a law enforcement officer in another state and has not had a break in service greater than four years.

Training credit will be examined on an hour-by-hour basis. There is an exception if an individual has five or more years of full-time experience within the past four years. These individuals will only be required complete training topics statutorily mandated in Ohio, if not previously completed, and Ohio-specific content (e.g., Ohio Revised Code).

The Ohio appointing agency and the officer together submit a “prior equivalency” application, SF410bas - Request for Prior Equivalent Training Analysis for Peace Officers. The OPOTC then conducts its evaluation to determine what training topics the officer will need to take.

The officer would also need to 1) submit to and pass a criminal background check, 2) pass the State Certification Exam (SCE) by a score of at least 70% on the first or second attempt, and 3) pass the local agency’s firearms qualification course of fire.

Oregon Agency Website

Basic Academy: 640 hours
Basic Corrections Academy: 240 hours

Conditions: The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) makes determinations of whether employment and basic training completed in another state is comparable to Oregon’s minimum training standards for police or corrections officer certification. Rules regarding reciprocity/training waiver requirements are found in Oregon’s Administrative Rules under OAR 259-008-0025.

To be considered for a waiver of the police or corrections basic training course, Oregon law enforcement agencies wishing to request a reciprocity determination or training waiver for an officer must submit the following:

• A written letter from the employing agency’s department head requesting to waive the basic police or basic corrections course. Note: The officer must be hired prior to requesting a waiver review.
• A copy of the applicant’s prior basic training course with subject and hour breakdown.
• A copy of the applicant’s basic training completion certificate, or other documentation proving successful completion of prior basic course.
• The applicant’s employment history as a police or corrections officer including hire date, promotion dates, and resignation date. This can be documented on letterhead from the previous agency or be a POST record that includes employment history.

DPSST Review: All reciprocity/waiver reviews are conducted on a case-by-case basis and are discipline specific. The applicant must have been employed full-time with a police or corrections agency within the past five years, and the prior basic course must be determined by DPSST to be comparable to the DPSST basic course.

If the reciprocity/waiver is approved, the applicant will be required to successfully complete a Career Officer Development Course and the DPSST Basic Field Training Manual prior to applying for Oregon police or corrections officer certification.

The applicant will be required to meet all other Oregon employment and certification requirements for police or corrections officers as defined in Oregon Administrative Rule, Chapter 259, Division 8.

Rhode Island Agency Website

Basic Academy: 900 hours

Conditions: The Rhode Island Police Officers’ Commission on Standards & Training may waive portions of the state’s Basic Training Academy requirements for certification, provided the applicant has successfully completed a comparable Police Officer Basic Training Program as Rhode Island’s and that the applicant has not been out of active law enforcement service more than three years. Candidates for Rhode Island certification would also be required to have a police chief from a sponsoring agency within Rhode Island make the request for review of the individual’s past training credentials.

• The staff of the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy will review the candidate’s past training credentials, and they make a recommendation to the Chairman of the Commission on Standards and Training.
• At the very least, an out-of-state candidate would be required to complete an application to submit to the academy. Also, the candidate would be required to successfully pass:
  • Psychological examination.
  • Criminal records check.
  • Rhode Island motor vehicle law course.
  • Rhode Island criminal law course.
  • Rhode Island domestic violence law course.
  • Rhode Island firearms law course.
  • Rhode Island firearms qualification course.
• In some cases, the applicant is required to pass the Rhode Island basic water safety course.

South Dakota Agency Website

Basic Academy: 520 hours

Conditions: South Dakota Legislative Research Council, Administrative Rule 2:01:06:03 states, “The commission may waive all or any portion of the training program requirement of § 2:01:06:01 upon formal application of a person requesting the waiver and a showing that the person to be exempted from the training program has completed a course of equivalent content and quality in another jurisdiction no more than two years previous to the date of the appointment or has been employed within the previous two years as a certified law officer in another jurisdiction and has completed a course of equivalent content and quality. The executive secretary may administer to the applicant a written examination to determine the applicant's state of competence. Upon completion of the evaluation, the commission shall issue the applicant a certificate as a certified law enforcement officer or shall notify the applicant of the training to be completed before he or she can be certified. After the applicant successfully completes the required training and if the applicant meets the minimum standards for certification of § 2:01:02:01, the commission shall issue the applicant a certificate as a certified law enforcement officer.”

• An applicant must complete a formal application including documentation showing the applicant to be exempted from the training program. Upon approval of application, applicants who qualify to complete the Reciprocity Examination have one attempt and must attain a score of 70% or higher. If an applicant passes the exam, the applicant is eligible to attend the required training noted below. If an applicant fails the exam, he or she must successfully complete the Basic Certification Course (520 hours).
• Applicants are required to complete training determined by the Law Enforcement Standards and Training Commission to include Domestic Violence; Criminal Law; Traffic Law; Legal instruction; and demonstration of Firearms, Use of Force, and Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVOC) Skills.
• Failure of either Firearms or EVOC will result in the candidate’s having to attend the 40-hour block of instruction during the Basic Certification Course on the respective topic failed.
• Applicant must become certified within his or her original probationary period of employment, not to exceed one (1) year. According to SDCL 23-3-41, “Probationary appointment of officers until training completed--Maximum probationary employment. At the earliest practicable time, the commission shall provide, by regulation, that no person shall be appointed as a law enforcement officer, except on a temporary or probationary basis, unless such person has satisfactorily completed a preparatory program of law enforcement training at a school approved by the commission. No law enforcement officer who lacks the education and training qualifications required by the commission may have his or her temporary or probationary employment extended beyond one year by renewal of appointment or otherwise. However, in municipalities of the third class, the probationary period may be extended for one additional year.”

Texas Agency Website

Basic Academy: 643 hours

Conditions: Prospective applicants for peace officer licensing in Texas must provide documentation that they have successfully completed an equivalent basic police academy.
Proper documentation: Before individuals with an out-of-state license(s) (out-of-service or training/exam score over two years) may attempt the licensing exam, they must meet the requirements of Commission Rules:
Individuals from other U.S. states must meet all the following requirements:

1. Successful completion of a state POST-approved basic police officer training course;
2. Certified/licensed as a police officer by a state POST;
3. Certificate/license must never have been surrendered, suspended, or revoked;
4. Certificate/license must not be in the process of being surrendered, suspended, or revoked.

Eligible Federal Law Enforcement Agencies:
The following 13 agencies are the only agencies that will be considered (identified by the current Texas Code of Criminal Procedure §2.122). Special Agents of the:

• FBI, Secret Service, Customs, ATF, DEA, INS
• Criminal Investigation Division – IRS
• Bureau of Diplomatic Security – State Department
• Inspectors Postal Service and IRS Internal Security Division
• Marshals and Deputy Marshals – U. S. Marshal Service
• Civilian Special Agents of the Naval Intelligence Service
• U. S. Border Patrol

If qualified from above, then an individual:

1. Must have successfully completed an approved Federal agency law enforcement training course.
2. Must be subject to continued employment or must be eligible for re-hire (excluding retirement).

In order to obtain an Endorsement of Eligibility, the applicant must complete the application, attach the $150 fee plus any required documents, have it notarized, and mail it back to TCOLE.

Required Documents

1. A notarized copy of basic training certificate for the peace officer or Federal license.
2. A notarized statement from the state POST www.iadlest.org/post.htm, or Federal regulatory agency www.fletc.gov revealing any action that may have been taken against any license or certificate issued by that agency or against employer.
3. A notarized copy of license or certificate from the state POST (if applicable).

Documents must bear original certification seals or stamps.

Vermont Agency Website

Basic Academy: 792 hour minimum

Conditions: Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council Rule # 19(d) states:

• Waivers of training may be partial or complete and shall only be granted on the basis of equivalent training that the individual has successfully completed. The law enforcement officer requesting such a waiver shall comply with Rule 14 (re-certification of officers based on time out of law enforcement) herein and shall submit school transcripts, training certificates, and other documentation indicating completed equivalent training to accompany the application for a waiver of the law enforcement officer’s minimum training. The application shall be on a form approved by the Council.
• In accordance with Rule 8, Basic Training Standards for Level III Law Enforcement Officer: “Any sworn, commissioned member of a municipal police department, county sheriff’s office, state law enforcement agency or political subdivision thereof who is paid on a full-time basis and has authority, except where exempted by statute, to enforce the criminal laws of this state as a law enforcement officer as defined in Title 20, Chapter 151, must complete the basic training course at the Police Academy or at another approved facility (or completed a course of instruction and training which is equal to Vermont’s Basic Training Course for Level III Law Enforcement Officers outside of Vermont).”
• The Director of Administration will evaluate all requests for waivers. The eligibility will be determined by comparing the curriculum content of the individual’s basic training class with the curriculum at the Vermont Police Academy for the same approximate period. The applicant must be or must have been certified as a police officer in the state, municipality, sheriff’s department, or other full-time sworn officer in their respective state.
  • The applicant must have successfully completed a state, municipal, or sheriff’s academy program for full-time officers.
  • The applicant must have a minimum of three years of full-time experience with a law enforcement agency
  • Applicants who have been out of law enforcement for up to three (3) years may be eligible for a waiver.
  • Applicants who have completed a college or university program and are certifiable in the state where the college or university program is located may be eligible for a waiver.
• The head of a hiring agency in Vermont (or designee) must make a request for waiver. The request from an individual for waiver will NOT be accepted. All entrance requirements for the Vermont Police Academy must be met, i.e., See Council Rule 17 (Entry Standards for Basic Training) for details. All police applicants for certification must take the written entrance examination (minimum passing score 70 %), MMPI, a background investigation to include a polygraph exam, and meet compliance certificate requirements.

Washington Agency Website

Basic Academy: 720 hours
Equivalency Academy: 80 hours

Conditions: Applicants must complete the 80-hour Basic Equivalency Course. Participation in the equivalency process is limited to:

• Fully commissioned peace officers of a city, county, or political subdivision of the state of Washington, who otherwise are eligible to attend the basic law enforcement academy; or
• Fully commissioned peace officers who have attained commissioned law enforcement status by completing a basic training program in this or another state. For this purpose, the term "basic training program" does not include any military or reserve training program or any federal training program not otherwise approved by the Commission; or
• Persons who have not attained commissioned peace officer status but have successfully completed a basic law enforcement academy recognized as a full equivalent to the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy by the Commission and within 12 months of the date of completion been made a conditional offer of employment as a fully commissioned peace officer in Washington State; or
• Persons whose peace officer certification, commission, and/or licensing has lapsed because of a break in service as a full-time, fully commissioned peace officer in this or any other state or territory for more than twenty-four (24) months but less than sixty (60) months and who are required to attend the equivalency.

In those instances wherein an applicant has attended more than one basic training program, eligibility for participation in the basic equivalency process shall not be approved if such applicant, for whatever reason, failed to successfully complete the most recent of such programs attended.

Statutes that govern Peace Officer Certification: RCW 43.101.095 – Peace Officer Certification; WAC 139-05-210 – Basic Law Enforcement Certificate of Equivalency; Chapter 139-07 WAC – Conditions of Employment

Wisconsin Agency Website

Basic Academy: 720 hours

Conditions: Eligibility Requirements
The Board considers waivers of preparatory training for law enforcement and tribal law enforcement applicants who meet the following eligibility requirements:

Applicants must meet the minimum employment requirements for law enforcement and tribal law enforcement officers set forth in Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter LES 2, and shall:

1. have completed preparatory law enforcement officer training in another state (or with the military or federal government) that is similar to Wisconsin’s preparatory law enforcement officer training academy.
2. hold or have held employment as a certified or licensed law enforcement or tribal law enforcement officer in another state, or hold or have military veteran status in a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) as a law enforcement officer (Military Police/Security Forces/Master of Arms), full‐time for a minimum of one (1) year beyond basic training, fully empowered and paid for all hours worked, and left law enforcement or tribal law enforcement officer employment voluntarily with a good record and been out of that employment for less than three (3) years.
3. have worked in a part-time status (under 40 hours a week or less than 2,080 hours a year) and must have held full-time employment for a minimum of one consecutive year consistent with the time frame as set forth by the requirement to have left law enforcement officer employment voluntarily with a good record and been out of that employment for less than three years. Applicants who have served in a part-time status for the preceding three or more years will not meet the eligibility requirements for the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Reciprocity exam.

Reciprocity Examination: Reciprocity Examination Content
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements are permitted to complete the Law Enforcement Reciprocity Examination in lieu of Wisconsin’s preparatory law enforcement officer training academy. The Law Enforcement Reciprocity Examination consists of approximately 200 multiple choice questions derived from the topics covered in Wisconsin’s preparatory law enforcement officer training academy. The Reciprocity Examination Application Packet is available on WILENET. The Reciprocity Examination is offered on the third Thursday of every month at the Wisconsin Department of Justice; 17 West Main Street; Madison, Wisconsin.

Reciprocity Examination Passing Score and Time Frame for Completion: Approved applicants who qualify to complete the Reciprocity Examination must attain a score of 70% or higher. Employed applicants must pass the Reciprocity Examination within their original probationary period of employment, not to exceed 12 months, to be eligible for certification as a Wisconsin law enforcement or tribal law enforcement officer.

Applicants with a conditional offer of employment have 12 months from the date on their approval letter to successfully complete the exam and gain a formal offer of law enforcement or tribal law enforcement employment from a Wisconsin law enforcement or tribal law enforcement agency.

Military veterans who have held a Military Occupational Specialty as a law enforcement officer may complete the reciprocity exam prior to gaining law enforcement employment. Such applicants have 12 months from the date on their approval letter to successfully complete the exam and gain a formal offer of law enforcement or tribal law enforcement employment from a Wisconsin law enforcement or tribal law enforcement agency.

Reciprocity Examination Re‐Test: If an applicant fails the Reciprocity Examination, one re‐test is allowed. A score of less than 70% on the re‐test requires completion of Wisconsin’s preparatory law enforcement officer training academy. A re‐test and/or completion of preparatory training must be successfully completed within an employed officer’s original probationary period of employment not to exceed 12 months.

Law Enforcement Reciprocity Examination Fee
Applicants will be assessed a fee of $175 for the exam. The fee includes the cost of one re‐test. The fee will be waived for the following:

1. Military veterans applying through the LEAD Program
2. Applicants who have gained employment with a law enforcement agency in Wisconsin
3. Honorably discharged military veterans*

If an employed applicant twice fails the Reciprocity Examination, his or her employing agency will be assessed a $175 fee, which will cover the cost of the initial test and a re‐test.

* Military veterans will be required to provide a copy of their DD-214 to qualify for the waiver of the testing fee.