How To Become Employed in Florida

To become employed as a certified law enforcement, correctional or correctional probation officer in Florida individuals must:

• Be at least 19 years of age.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Have earned a high school graduate or equivalent (GED). (A bachelors degree is required for correctional probation officers.)
• Not have 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 employment or appointment as an officer, not-withstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication.
• Never have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.
• Have good moral character.
• Have passed a Commission approved Basic Abilities Test, if not certified and attending a Florida Basic Recruit Training Program *
• Successfully completed the Florida Basic Recruit Training Program for the respective discipline or equivalency for out of state officers. *
• Achieved a passing score on the State Officer Certification Examination. * (Exception: auxiliary officers do not need to take the SOCE).
• Have been fingerprinted by the employing agency with prints processed by the FDLE and the FBI.
• Successfully passed a background investigation, to include drug testing.
  
• Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician.
• Completed a CJSTC-68 Affidavit of Applicant Form 
• (If already a certified officer) Complied with mandatory retraining or educational requirements.

Statutory Authority