Individuals may become certified in the following disciplines:
General Topics
Vehicle Operations (High Liability Topic)
Firearms (High Liability Topic)
Defensive Tactics (High Liability Topic)
First Aid (High Liability Topic)
Criminal Justice Diving (Specialized Topic)
Speed Measurement (Specialized Topic)
Canine Team (Specialized Topic)
Breath Test (Specialized Topic)
There are three primary steps to becoming a certified instructor in Florida:
Meet the minimum qualifications.
Complete the required training or possess the required professional license or certification and complete the required internship including student evaluations.
Become affiliated with either a Commission-approved training school or a criminal justice employing agency which will apply for the certification.
For general topics, individuals must:
Have not been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, shall not be eligible for certification as an instructor, not-withstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication.
Have not received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.
For high-liability topics, individuals must:
Possess or be eligible for and apply for General Instructor Certification.
Complete three years experience as a certified criminal justice officer or three years experience in the topic of instruction.
For specialized topics, individuals must:
Possess and maintain a current Scuba Instructor Certification from a nationally recognized organization that meets the standards of the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC) and have two years of experience as a public safety diver, or possess and maintain a Dive Master Certification from a nationally recognized organization that meets the standards of the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC).
Have been employed in the capacity of a public safety diver within the past four years, or have instructed the Underwater Police Science and Technology course within the past four years.
Speed Measurement
Possess three years experience as a speed measurement device operator.
Canine Team
Possess five years criminal justice canine team experience which does not include canines used exclusively for tracking and trailing or specific detection.
Provide verification on agency letterhead signed by the agency administrator or designee that there is not a sustained “excessive use-of-force” complaint against the instructor applicant involving the use of the canine at the time the canine was under his or her command.
Breath Test
Possess three years experience as a certified breath test operator and agency inspector.
Possess a valid Breath Test Operator Permit and a valid Agency Inspector Permit.
Complete an Instructor Training Course
Complete an Instructional Internship
Be Evaluated by Students
Complete an Instructor Training Course or Hold a Professional Certification or License
Complete Instructor Training Course or Advanced Education
3. Become affiliated with a Commission-certified training school or a criminal justice employing agency as an instructor:
Certification Process - Obtaining an "Instructor Certificate"