There are four ways one can become a certified Correctional Officer in the State of Florida:  

• Complete a basic recruit training program for Correctional Officers.
• Be certified in the State of Florida as a Law Enforcement Officer and Complete a Crossover program from Law Enforcement to Corrections.
• Be certified in the State of Florida as a Correctional Probation Officer and Complete a Crossover program from Correctional Probation to Corrections.
• Be a certified Correctional Officer in the United States and apply for the Equivalency of Training (EoT) program.

In order to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a Correctional Officer one must:   

• Complete the appropriate training program.
• Pass the Florida State Certification Examination.
• Be employed or appointed as a Correctional Officer by a certified Agency.

Minimum requirements for employment as a Correctional Officer  

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement.
• Not have a dishonorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States.
• Achieve a passing score on the CJBAT Test for Corrections.
• Have been fingerprinted by the employing agency with prints processed by the FDLE and the FBI.
• Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician.
• Have good moral character.
• Completed an Affidavit of Applicant form CJSTC-68.
• Successfully passed a background investigation to include drug testing.
• Successfully completed one of the Law Enforcement Officer Basic Recruit, Crossover, or EOT training programs.
• Achieve a passing score on the State Officer Certification Examination.
• Complied with mandatory retraining for continuing training or education requirements.

 

Additional Requirements For Entrance Into The Southwest Florida Public Service Academy

• Complete a CJBAT or FBAT. (BAT)
• Meet the minimum qualifications (including a PAT).
• Minimum requirements and steps to attend the Corrections Basic Academy
  • Has successfully passed the CJBAT for corrections
  • Be minimum 18 years of age
  • Be a citizen of the United States
  • Be a high school graduate or equivalent
  • Be of good moral character
  • Have a VALID Florida Driver’s License (No DL suspension within the last 3 years)
  • Have not had any excessive traffic citations ( Three in the last two years)
  • Not have a dishonorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States
  • Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement
  • No misdemeanor convictions in the last 5 years
  • No DUI conviction in the last 5 years
  • Drug Free Minimum 1-5 years prior, depending on substance use, with no history of drug sales
  • Marijuana 12 months, from time of application
    All other substances 5 years, from time of application
  • Not have used, possessed or cultivated any illegal controlled substance within the past 3-5 years, depending on substance (refer to above substances)
  • No LSD/Methamphetamine, MDMA(Ecstasy), psilocybin mushrooms use at any time

Get Started :

Step 1: Take and pass the CJBAT test for Correctional Officers (We no longer administer the CJBAT)

Step 2: Eligible for Application

You are eligible for an application if the CJBAT has been passed and you have met the requirements above. YOU will have to provide a copy of your CJBAT/FBAT results regardless of where you took the test. Each class has a registration period. Dates are provided on the back of this page. Applications are available on our website(swfpsa.org) or you can pick one up at the Academy.

Step 3: Submit the application packet

• Applicants must have application completed with all required paperwork. Other items that you will have to schedule and pay for as part of your package completion are: Fingerprints, Certified Drug Test, and Polygraph. Please note: the polygraph results take a couple of weeks to process so please ensure that you schedule and complete in a timely manner.
• Physical Abilities Test to be paid for upon packet return. This is the only requirement that is paid in person at the Academy. Physical Abilities Test $25.00 (cash, credit card, money order) Step

4: Interview

You will be advised of the date and time of your Interview. Your interview results will be given within 48hrs.

Step 5: Orientation for accepted applicants

Fees due on this day:

1. Uniforms – Upon the passing of the Oral Board Interviews, order your uniforms from either:

Sew Shore/United Uniforms 3845 Beck Blvd. #809 Naples, FL 34114 239-774-4655 888-24UNIFORM Contact person: Rose Martino rose@sewshore.com or www.sewshore.com OR

Black Cat Embroidery 5055 Saxony Court Cape Coral, FL 33904 239-541-2849 Contact person: Valerie Rodriguez Valerie@blackcatembroidery.com

All tuition fees must be paid in full by the date of orientation.

Any additional items may be purchased at the Academy.

· T-Shirt $8.00

· Shorts $12.00

· Hat $ 11.00

· Sweat Shirts $20.00

· Sweat Pants $21.00

Step 6: First day of class

 

 

175th Correctional Class

Class Start/End Date:                              November 11, 2024 – February 12, 2025

Registration Open:                                   September 9, 2024 – October 11, 2024

P.A.T:                                                           October 14, 2024

Oral Board                                                October 23, 2024

Orientation                                               October 31, 2024 at 9:00 A.M