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Correctional Officer Requirements for North Carolina


The minimum requirements for becoming s Correctional Officer with the North Carolina Department of Corrections: a United States citizen, at least 20 years old, and have a high school diploma or GED.

Correctional Officer Requirements for North CarolinaCorrectional Officer Requirements for North Carolina

You will need to be in suitable physical condition to pass the Correction Officer Physical Abilities Test (COPAT). The test will consist of a step test, sit-ups, push-ups, lunges, and grip strength.

Disqualifying factors include: No felony or domestic violence convictions. You cannot have been convicted of a serious misdemeanor or on probation within the last three years. A background investigation will check your local/state/national criminal history records, as well as your driving history.

To apply, you can download an application here. After you submit an application, you will be contacted to schedule pre-employment testing. Take your application to one of the following locations:

  • Eastern Carolina Regional Employment Office, 2241 Dickinson Ave, Greenville, NC 27834. Phone: (252) 756-5501 Fax: (252) 756-4339
  • Piedmont Triad Regional Employment Office, 771 Park Centre Dr, Ste D, Kernersville, NC 27284. Phone: (336) 996-7129 Fax: (336) 996-1692
  • Regional Employment Office, 4205 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699 Phone: (919) 788-5346 Fax: (919) 788-5357
  • Western Foothills Regional Employment Office, PO Box 1946, Lenoir, NC 28645 Phone: (828) 757-5601 Fax: (828) 757-5600

The pre-employment test begins with a timed, multiple-choice reading test to check your reading comprehension. During the second part of the test, you will answer multiple-choice questions after watching a video to test your judgment. If you pass the test, your name will be placed on a roster for the correctional facilities you select.

When a position becomes available, you will be contacted for an interview. Interviews are with 3-person panels and you will be asked standardized questions. If selected for hire, you will have a physical examination, tuberculosis test, and psychological assessment.

Correctional Officer Basic Training is a four-week course where you will learn subjects such as self-defense tactics and firearms training.

For more information, visit the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website, or call 1-877-NC BADGE.

28 Responses to Correctional Officer Requirements for North Carolina

  1. Tony Cooper January 3, 2014 at 8:07 am #

    Where do you apply for basic training classes or you have to schedule pre test exam?

    • Nicole M. December 12, 2014 at 11:20 am #

      Everything is online now. You can not submitake paper apps anymore. Google ncdps then go to careers. Your app will be processed in the order it was received. I’ve been a C/O for almost 9 yrs. Good luck.

      • Char January 17, 2017 at 6:40 am #

        I can’t find out how to apply on ncdps.

    • Albert Brown June 17, 2016 at 11:59 am #

      Do you think able hearing impaired to apply a become a correctional officer?

  2. Thomas wallace April 14, 2014 at 3:06 pm #

    I have passed and served as a correction officer in Cayuga county in Ny, I have copies of all my academy certificates, my family and I are looking to relocate to NC to be closer to parents, please let me know what I may need to do to get into the jail/correction dept. thank you

    • Nicole M. December 12, 2014 at 11:23 am #

      None of your previous experience matters. North Carolina does not transfer so you have to start over. Your experience will make them call you faster but that’s it. Google ncdps and click on careers to jump start the process.

  3. aj July 6, 2014 at 6:12 pm #

    Can you become a correctional officer with a dui?

    • Nicole M. December 12, 2014 at 11:25 am #

      No sorry hun

      • silvio pernelle July 11, 2015 at 1:21 pm #

        your information is incorrect.

    • silvio pernelle July 11, 2015 at 1:18 pm #

      Yes you can depends on how long ago you got it.

  4. Priscilla Simmons September 27, 2014 at 10:25 am #

    I was once a north carolina correctional officer. I have completed my application on sep 13,2014 and can not find out where to send or down load my application. Please help

    • dreading October 27, 2014 at 3:53 pm #

      you can find online application at main web site from raliegh doc web.

  5. ciara March 8, 2015 at 3:56 am #

    What kind of questions does the panel ask.

    • Tae Tae June 16, 2015 at 11:53 am #

      I submitted my application in May for North Carolina Correctional officer on government jobs and when I checked the status of my application it says “Referred to Regional employment office”. Does this mean that they’re getting closer to contacting me?

    • silvio pernelle July 11, 2015 at 1:20 pm #

      They might ask you if you could shoot someone if need be.
      they might ask you if you would give anything to an inmate or do favors for an inmate. common sense stuff.

  6. Swanson March 23, 2015 at 9:24 am #

    Do I have to send the application to those places? Can I send it to another facility in nc?

  7. a mommyof2sweeties March 31, 2015 at 9:44 am #

    Actually yes you can be a co with a dui I know of 6 off hand correctional officers that have previously been convicted of a dui and 3 are now serving as captains at maximum sec . prison so please if you are going to give out information have it correct. It just has to be at least 3 years since the dui honey

    • Dre November 28, 2015 at 2:35 pm #

      What is the oldest age you can be to become a correction officer in the state of NC. I live in NJ and I am a probation officer but for corrections in NJ you can’t be any older than 38 to apply. And the US for cops, trooper, probation and parole.

  8. George June 8, 2015 at 7:46 am #

    I just now sent in my application. I just honestly need to know how long does it take for them to call you. Even when you submitted your DD214’s. Because for me, I keep hearing there trying to relocate my application for one region to the next. I have patient, but very little. Can some one please help me with my question.
    Thanks

  9. Nicole August 16, 2015 at 6:01 pm #

    Do you need any college credits or specific courses to become a co?

  10. PCBI September 3, 2015 at 10:08 am #

    Once you get notice of “Referred to Regional employment office” how long typically does it take for someone to actually call you? Is this process done all thru email or if there is an interview does someone actually call? I know in SC they required me to go take a test but it was all email.

    I posted my resume to them 8/18/15 today is 9/3/15

    Thanks.

  11. KB September 22, 2015 at 11:23 am #

    Do NC correctional officers get paid during the training?

  12. Eli October 8, 2015 at 9:18 pm #

    Please am interested but I only have a green card can I apply for correctional officer

  13. Eli October 8, 2015 at 9:19 pm #

    Please am interested but I only have a green card can I apply for correctional officer. What can I do

  14. jessica October 16, 2015 at 11:37 pm #

    I applied about 3 months ago and was called back this week to come in Tuesday for my physical exam testing will I be drug tested that day

  15. Michelle January 9, 2016 at 8:59 am #

    I have a slight hearing loss in my right ear, will that hinder me from getting the job?

    • Duhduh February 22, 2016 at 5:14 am #

      Huh ?

  16. Sharon October 17, 2016 at 9:45 am #

    Do u think a driving record will effect anything ?