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

HOW TO Get Started AS AN OPEN ENROLL APPLICANT :

Step 1: Achieve a passing score on the CJBAT test for Correctional Officers

CJBAT contact and information on testing centers for this exam can be found on the top banner on this website.

Step 2: Application

When CJBAT is passed, you are eligible for an application. This will be verified by an Academy Staff member.  You must provide a copy of your results. Each class has a registration period. Information provided under each class for those dates. Under the CO Documents tab, locate the “Pre-application checklist”. If you meet all criteria, continue with the application packet access.

DO NOT move onto Phase 2 of the checklist until you’ve received a notification from Phase 1. 

Step 3: PHASE 1

Submit the application packet w/ ALL supporting documents .

• Application packets are available online. Applicants must have application completed with all required paperwork and forms  (from links/checklist in the CO Documents tab) for PHASE 1 submittal. All packet/documents are to be turned into academy office in person. 
• Physician Visit (set up with your choice physician) to complete the 75 Print and provide the BRTP Fitness Plan to the physician to review prior to completing your CJSTC75/75A forms.
• After PHASE 1 submission, with all necessary tasks completed noted above, it will be reviewed by Coordinator’s office for approval to  move onto PHASE 2 of the process.
• ***For any open enroll applicants for any program, DO NOT schedule your Fingerprints, Drug Screening, Polygraph test until  you have been notified that you can proceed to that step after the initial review of your application packet. You will be contacted by either the CO Coordinator or Program Assistant. 

Step 4: PHASE 2
final appointments & P.A.T.(physical Agility Test)