Equivalency of Training

Program Description

Prior to registering for the class, you MUST email a 76 form completed by either a Florida Law Enforcement Agency or Florida Selection Center to mtclawacademy@manateeschools.net. Once received and approved, we will notify you to proceed to register and make payment. 

Space is limited to 8 students per class and is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Price $1,000

Equivalency of Training

The Equivalency of Training (EOT) process is for Out-of-State Federal Officers and previously certified Florida officers with a four-year or more break-in-service pursuant to section 943.131(2), Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) 11B-35.009(4)(5).

The EOT allows an officer to be exempt from having to complete the full basic recruit academy.

You may be eligible for an exemption from the full basic training requirements if you were an officer in another state or with the federal government and meet the following requirements:

• You worked at least one year, full-time as a sworn officer in the discipline you are seeking exemption;
• You received training in that discipline which is comparable to Florida’s full basic recruit curriculum and/or;
• You were previously certified in Florida.

There can be no more than an 8-year break in employment as an officer. 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 criminal justice employing agency.

Once you are approved for an equivalency of training, you will need to demonstrate proficiency in the high liability areas and pass the state certification exam in the same discipline within 1 year of receipt of the approved Equivalency of Training CJSTC Form 76.

If you do not complete the training and pass the State Officer Certification Examination within the 1-year time limit, you may apply for another exemption from training, but you must be eligible pursuant to Chapter 943.131(2), F.S. at the time of application.

By law, criminal justice employing agencies or selection centers are responsible for reviewing out-of-state or federal officer’s employment and training 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 documentation that establishes that you meet 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-76 form)

Documentation of one year’s experience as an out-of-state or federal officer may consist of authentic copies of one or more of the following:

• payroll records
• employment records
• verification of employment letters/affidavits

Documentation of prior training may consist of authentic copies of one or more of the following:

• training records from prior employers
• training records from academies
• transcripts
• curricula summaries
• certificates of completion
• verification of training /letters affidavits

Once the request is processed, if approved for the exemption from training, you should enroll in the appropriate pre-exam training at a Commission-certified training center in order to demonstrate proficiency in the high liability areas and then take and pass the state certification exam.

The Steps For an Out-of-State, Federal or Previously Sworn Florida Officer To Become Certified in Florida

1. Contact a Criminal Justice Selection Center or criminal justice employing agency and complete their application process to determine eligibility to be exempt from completing a basic recruit training course.
2. Once you are approved and receive your Equivalency of Training CJSTC Form 76 from the selection center or agency, contact a Commission-certified Criminal Justice Training Center to enroll in the training course to complete your demonstration of proficiency in the high-liability skills areas. The training center personnel will issue you a voucher to allow you to take the State Officer Certification Examination.
3. Register to take the State Officer Certification Examination. The date you take the examination must be after the completion date of your training class. You may have up to 3 attempts to pass the examination provided all attempts are within the 1-year time limit. If you are unable to complete the requirements within the 1-year time limit, you may apply for an additional exemption from training, however, you may only have 3 attempts to successfully complete the examination regardless of how many exemptions from training you are granted. After 3 attempts, you would have to complete a full basic recruit training academy.

Obtain employment in a sworn position with a criminal justice agency who will conduct your background investigation and complete the process for certification. Here is a link to the address list of all Florida criminal justice agencies. Contact the criminal justice agency of your choice for specific information concerning job vacancies.