The Corrections Equivalency of Training (EOT) Certificate Program is designed to prepare out-of-state officers and federal officers, as well as previously certified Florida officers with a four-year or more break in service to sit for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) exam in Corrections, pursuant to section 943.131(2), Florida Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) 11B-35.009(4)(5). The EOT process exempts an officer from taking or repeating the full basic recruit academy.

A student may be eligible for an exemption from the full basic training requirements if he or she has worked as an officer in another state or with the federal government, and meets the following requirements: 

• Full-time employment of at least one year as a sworn officer in the discipline for which the individual is seeking exemption;
• Proof of completion of training in that discipline which is comparable to Florida’s full basic recruit curriculum and/or;
• Previous Florida certification.

There can be no more than an eight-year break in employment as an officer in order to qualify for the program. The break in employment is measured from the separation date of the most recent qualifying employment to the time a complete application requesting an exemption from training is submitted to a Criminal Justice Selection Center or a criminal justice employing agency.

Once an individual is approved for the Corrections Equivalency of Training Certificate Program, he or she must attend an Equivalency of Training course at an approved training center and pass the State Officer Certification Exam in the same discipline within one year of receipt of the approved Equivalency of Training CJSTC Form 76.

If the student does not complete the training or pass the State Officer Certification Examination within the one-year time limit, he or she may apply for another exemption from training, but still must be eligible for the exemption pursuant to Chapter 943.131(2), Florida Statutes, at the time of application.

By law, criminal justice employing agencies and selection centers are responsible for reviewing each out-of-state or federal officer’s employment and training history to initially determine eligibility for exemption. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement does not determine a person’s eligibility.

Upon collection, verification, and authentication of the documentation which establishes that an individual meets the training and experience requirements, a criminal justice employing agency or an assessment center must submit a completed Equivalency of Training CJSTC Form 76 to the FDLE for approval. (The applicant does not complete the CJSTC Form 76.)

This program is extremely concentrated and consists of three practical exams for corrections. The intent of these exams is to measure the student’s acquisition of information, skills, and abilities in the following high liability areas: Defensive Tactics, CMS Criminal Justice Firearms, and First Aid. The program does not cover all areas of the curriculum mandated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Students must study the curriculum independently to prepare for the State Officer Certification Exam. This program meets the training requirements of the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

The Corrections EOT Program requires enrolling individuals to be physically and mentally strong, fair-minded, and constantly alert. Candidates must submit an application for the program to the Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety Office.