Florida Police Academy Requirements

Some questions from the FLDE State Officer Certification Exam page:

State Officer Certification Exam

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

EXAM ELIGIBILITY

Question: Who is eligible to take the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE)?

Answer: Persons who have:
Completed a Commission approved law enforcement, corrections, or correctional probation basic recruit training program within the last four years.
Qualified for re-instatement of Florida certification who have completed the required proficiency demonstration.
Been approved for an exemption from the Commission approved basic recruit training course as an out-of-state, federal, or military officer.

Question: Is there a time limit on passing the examination?

Answer: Basic recruit candidates have four years from the start date of their basic recruit class to pass the exam.

Florida reinstatement, out-of-state, federal or military officer candidates must pass the exam within one year of their Equivalency of Training notification date.

Question: My certification has expired. Do I have to take the examination to reactivate it?

Answer: If your certificate expired due to a four-year break in service, you must complete the Equivalency of Training process, demonstrate proficiency in the high liability areas and pass the examination.

Question: I am a certified officer from another state, federal officer or military police; how can I become a certified officer in the state of Florida? (I am a former Florida officer but my training has expired how can I renew my certification?)

Answer: Out of state, federal, or military officers may seek an exemption from the basic training requirement by completing the Equivalency of Training process. If granted an Equivalency of Training, the individual must demonstrate proficiency in the high liability areas and pass the State Officer Certification Examination.

For more information on the Equivalency of Training process, please contact the Records section at (850) 410-8600.