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How to Become a Correctional Officer in New York City


New York Corrections Officer JobsTo become a correction officer in New York City, you must meet all of the minimum requirements for the position you’ve applied for and also successfully pass the City of New York’s DOC exam for correction officers. The requirements are:

  • Be 17 ½ years old by the last date of the application period in order to be administered the correction officer exam and you must be 21 years old in order to be appointed to the position of a Correction Officer.
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen, Be able to provide proof of your identity and be able to speak and to be understood in the English.
  • Have a Valid Drivers License and maintain it throughout your employment period.
  • Live in the City of New York or the counties of Nassau, Westchester, Suffolk, Orange, Rockland, or Putnam to meet the residence requirement.

There are minimum educational and experience requirements that also must be met under any of the following conditions:

  • (Option A): You have a High School Diploma or its educational equivalent and you have completed two (2) years of honorable, full-time United States military service.
  • (Option B): You have a High School Diploma or its educational equivalent and you have two (2) years in a position classified as either a Police Officer, a Peace Officer, a Special Patrolman, or a position in Federal Law Enforcement or law enforcement in any other state that is classified similarly to the 3 above stated positions.
  • (Option C): You have completed six (6) years of active service in the Reserve forces of either the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Air National Guard and you received an honorable discharge. Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) time does not count towards the 6 years of active service.
  • (Option D): You have completed 39 semester credits from an accredited and approved college or university. Additionally, 21-semester credits must be completed, 60-semester credits in total, prior to the conclusion of the academy training, which the academy training itself may satisfy this requirement.

Lastly, in addition to physical, medical and psychological evaluations to determine your ability to perform the duties of the job, prospective correction officers for the city of New York are required to submit to drug testing and a background investigational check. A fee of $75.00 is required for fingerprint screening and processing prior to any appointment to complete the investigation process.

NYC Corrections Officer Exam

$54.00 Application Fee made payable to DCAS (EXAMS). Payments made by Credit, Bank, and Debit cards are discounted by $5.00.

Payment is due on the day of the test.

The NYC 2013 Correctional Officer Exam Schedule Has Been Updated Through Mid-2014!

***Upcoming Test Schedule***

EXAM #4303 – August 1, 2013 – August 31, 2013

EXAM #4311 – October 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013

EXAM #4318 – January 2, 2014 – March 31, 2014

EXAM #4327 – April 1, 2014 – June 30, 2014

 

Test Centers

Testing is conducted at the following DCAS Computerized Testing Centers. Keep in mind that space & seating are limited, so once the centers are at capacity no more candidates will be admitted, so arrive early.

Candidates can take the Correction Officer test at either the Brooklyn or Manhattan location, but can only take each exam number a single time.

Tuesday– 1:30PM

Wednesday– 9:30AM and 5:30 PM

Thursday– 5:30PM

Friday– 9:30AM

Saturday– 1:30PM

Test

The test consists of a multiple choice, computer based test in which you must achieve a minimum of 70% in order to pass.

The test may involve topics and questioning that include written expression & comprehension, problem sensitivity, memorization, information ordering, spatial orientation, visualization, and induction, deductive, mathematical reasoning.

Application Forms

Sample Forms

Candidate Forms

Additional Information

The requirements to become a correction officer in New York State differ from those seeking to become a corrections officer in New York City.

For more information, visit the City of New York Department of Corrections website.

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19 Responses to How to Become a Correctional Officer in New York City

  1. Cesaire Smith May 20, 2014 at 6:05 pm #

    I already took the exam 2 years ago. But I have not been called for any follow up. Should I take another exam or is there a number that I can speak to a live person that can direct me?

    • Sam July 6, 2014 at 10:20 am #

      My husband took the test in 2011 and was just called. If you have moved make sure they have your new address and if you don’t have the college credits do them while you are waiting to be called.

      Good luck.

  2. Martin June 11, 2014 at 8:24 am #

    It took me 4 years to get some kind of follow up letter after taking the written test, but I always called dcas’s computer automated system and found out where they were up to on the list. For some people it took a year or less for others more than 3 or 4.

  3. ana August 15, 2014 at 9:40 pm #

    Im a teacher. I am curious in starting in a new field of work. What do i need to do first?

  4. Breck Harrison August 27, 2014 at 12:23 pm #

    I’m taking my orientation September 3rd after that what can I expect

  5. David September 19, 2014 at 7:18 pm #

    Do they except pen foster high school diploma and college degree both from online

  6. Brandon September 20, 2014 at 3:15 pm #

    I took exam 2315 back in I think October-December 2011 so this December will be three years. I have yet to hear anything so far.

    • ARMANDA DEMERS November 18, 2015 at 11:28 pm #

      Invaluable writing , I was enlightened by the information . Does someone know where I might grab a template exam 2315 example to fill in ?

  7. Msannette June 3, 2015 at 5:18 pm #

    I am a 46 yr old healthy woman ,already have 15+yrs with HHC would Correction Officer be a good move for me?

  8. Mike July 18, 2015 at 8:10 am #

    Currently working in NJ corrections. I am reallt thinking of moving to a different State after Chris Christie has a continues to destroy the pensions and benefits of all State and local law enforcement. It’s a shame that I have to leave NJ, but it is becoming unaffordable to me.

    • JoJo August 27, 2015 at 6:53 pm #

      Christi stinks, he lied to get our votedsand then screwed the Civil Service workers big time, Copes, Firefighter, Teachers, Bully and big fat LIAR! He said he would NOT touch the pensions or benefits and that is the 1st thing he did! he makes me sick and his bid for running 4 President is the biggest joke ever..HA!

    • Lucy January 31, 2016 at 9:10 pm #

      Hey. do they take hair samples or urine tests?

      • Rose June 23, 2016 at 9:54 am #

        hello
        did u ever get an answer to ur question?

    • Jenny March 29, 2016 at 2:04 pm #

      Hello there. My name is Jenny . Are you still working in New Jersey of moverd?

  9. Jasmine October 9, 2015 at 4:45 pm #

    I only have 30 credits and and in option D it states you will need 39 credits ..will I be able to gain the amount I need in the academy ? Or do I have to earn 9 more credits ?

  10. mike February 14, 2016 at 6:23 am #

    Am a correction officer for nine years. .be your self when you come in Rikers cause ppl will turn you in to drug dealers in you will lose your good paying job..and benefits and you will do jail time,

    • Christine September 23, 2016 at 6:51 pm #

      Hi Mike, do you what type of drug screening is done? Urine or hair? I cut hair really short a few months ago and am maintaining a short natural look for women.

    • Katherine Berges February 12, 2017 at 8:34 pm #

      In what stage do they drug test you?

  11. [email protected] April 13, 2017 at 7:39 pm #

    This article is a good example of how the author focuses in on the subject matter of which he/she has a real good grasp!