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Correctional Officer Requirements for Florida


In order to be a Correctional Officer in the State of Florida, certain minimum qualifications must be met in accordance with Florida Statutes, and are as follows: Be at least 19 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). You cannot have had felony or misdemeanor convictions involving perjury or false statements. If you have ever received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States then you are deemed ineligible.

Correctional Officer Requirements for FloridaCorrectional Officer Requirements for Florida

Documentation of processed fingerprints on file with the employing agency is also required. You should be able to pass a physical examination by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or certified advanced registered nurse practitioner. Good moral character is also necessary, which will be determined by a background investigation. A valid & current driver’s license is also required.

You must complete the Basic Abilities Test (BAT). This test assesses written comprehension and expression, information ordering, spatial orientation, memorization, problem sensitivity, and inductive and deductive reasoning in a multiple-choice format. Completion of the BAT is required before entering a basic recruit training program. The BAT is available to take at most training schools and your results are valid for four years. You can find more information on the BAT test at the following link.

Completion of the Florida Basic Recruit Training Program is mandatory and should be completed at a Commission-Certified training school. A list of approved school can be found here.

You are required to pass the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE) within three attempts. The test is administered each month at 3-4 locations around Florida. There is a $100 fee to take the SOCE. Click here for on-line registration.

In becoming employed as a sworn officer, you must be eligible for or have a current employment certificate of compliance for Correctional Officers issued by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. After completing the Basic Recruit Training Program and passing the State Officer Certification Examination, you have four years from the start date of your BRT to obtain employment as a Correctional Officer in Florida.
References
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/getdoc/16b5a8f6-412c-4c72-817e-d26cb05b2e3d/how-to-become-an-officer.aspx

http://www.fldocjobs.com/paths/co/qualifications.html

http://web.fdle.state.fl.us/examregister/LoginForm.do

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17 Responses to Correctional Officer Requirements for Florida

  1. James Eytchison July 9, 2013 at 5:16 pm #

    I currently have a felony for leaving the scene, will that hinder me from being a C/O? I am in the middle of getting all my rights restored as it has been 10 years since the conviction.

  2. Tim March 10, 2014 at 10:52 am #

    I am currently a New York State correctional officer, and wondering how I would go about becoming an officer in Florida. Would I have to take the test and go through an academy or are there any types of transfers?

  3. Michael Alcaide September 12, 2014 at 10:15 pm #

    I am currently a New York State correctional officer, and wondering how I would go about

    becoming an officer in Florida. Would I have to take the test and go through an academy or are

    there any types of transfers?

    REPLY

  4. Roger Matos October 30, 2014 at 12:14 pm #

    Do you get paid while you attend basic training?

  5. Desmond January 9, 2015 at 10:30 pm #

    I am currently employed as a Texas correctional officer, and inquiring about becoming a Florida correctional officer. Would I have to go thru an academy or is there a transfer process?

  6. Jeremy C March 21, 2015 at 6:26 pm #

    Can I become a C/o with a 1st degree misdemeanor for trespassing and petty theft

    • David May 8, 2016 at 2:46 pm #

      You can still become a corrections officer or police officer with those charges, you cannot have a felony or a charge related to lying.

  7. Kellie A. June 5, 2015 at 12:55 pm #

    While in school and training, do you get paid as this is Monday through Friday during work hours?

  8. Jared B August 10, 2015 at 9:20 am #

    I have been trying to join Florida’s Correctional Trainee program for 5 months now. I have passed my BAT, but all the jails I have submitted applications to say they never received the application or I get no response at all. This career path is worthless and thanks to it I am a month away from losing everything and no one can give me answers. Thanks Florida!

  9. Vince L April 7, 2016 at 12:33 am #

    I am 40 years old is there an age limit to become a corrections officer

    • Sgt White June 1, 2016 at 7:54 pm #

      NO, if you can run a mile and a half in 20 minutes, an pass the B.A.T and FDLE cert tests then your in. I started at 46, and in three years made Sgt. Pay ain’t bad, for what you actually do. and the Benefits are great. FRS retirement is the way to go. Your 40 after twenty years you would get the highest three years of pay averaged out an get 75% or 80% of that for the rest of your life. They pay for college, and if you have a degree they pay you for that too. 60 for an AA an 80 for a BA, that’s a month for the entire time you are employed. You can also apply for lots near the prison for a trailer or a house, an that’s about 100 to 250 a month water and lights included, Not bad benefits to watch inmates for 12 hours a day or night, huh?

  10. Jose Cartagena June 29, 2016 at 3:37 pm #

    I just got out of high school a couple of months ago.
    I’ve been wanting to get into law enforcement and it is a little late that I’ve finally decided which department I want to join but I came up with being a CO. So what should I look into now?

  11. Rob August 23, 2016 at 7:46 am #

    I’ve pass BAT Exam and I gone to the interview how long will it take the physical

  12. Rob August 23, 2016 at 7:48 am #

    I’ve pass BAT Exam and I gone to the interview how long will it take for the physical

  13. Veronica October 15, 2016 at 8:02 am #

    This question is for Sgt White, I’m currently employed as a correctional officier trainee , Can you please give me some insight as to what I should be prepared for as a Co and the academy.. Thank you in advance

  14. Lauren November 1, 2016 at 4:59 pm #

    Is the COPAT required for probation officer positions?

  15. Hippie January 18, 2017 at 9:00 pm #

    Now I feel stipdu. That’s cleared it up for me