How to Earn a Correctional Officer Certificate in Orlando
According to the Florida Department of Corrections, correctional officers work with inmates on a variety of levels. Among other things, they patrol living and work quarters, examine mail for illegal material, supervise inmates involved in work activities and transport inmates between facilities. Trainees in the field earn $28,007, while those with certification make between $30,807 to 45,033 a year. When you receive certification in Florida, it's applicable for the city of Orlando.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Meet the minimum application requirements. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, you must be a U.S. citizen who's at least 19 years old. You must have a high school diploma or GED. You should have the moral standing to pass a background investigation, plus you can't have any felonies or misdemeanors that involve perjury. You'll need to have your fingerprints on file with the agency employing you. Finally, you must be able to pass a physical exam given by a physician, a physician's assistant or a nurse practitioner.
-
2
Complete the required training. If you're a new officer, if you're coming from another law enforcement discipline, or if you're a former Florida officer with more than eight years away from the field, you'll need to pass the basic abilities test. New and former officers must also complete the Florida Basic Recruit Training Program. If you're coming from another discipline, you'll need to take the Cross Over Training Program at a Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission-certified school.
Out-of-state federal officers and former Florida officers who have between four to eight years away from the field, don't have to take the basic abilities test. Instead your employing agency can submit an Equivalency of Training form to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and then you'll need to enroll in a Criminal Justice Training Center to document your proficiency in high liability areas. When complete, you'll be given a voucher for the State Officer Certification Examination. (See Reference 3,4)
-
-
3
Pass the State Officer Certification Examination. The exam costs $100 and is given monthly at various locations around the state of Florida. You have a maximum of three tries to pass the exam.
-
4
Gain employment as a correctional officer. After completing your training, you have up to four years to become employed as a correctional officer. The People First website is sponsored by the state of Florida, and features available correctional jobs in all cities, including Orlando.
-
5
Get a certificate of compliance. Once you're employed and you have your fingerprints on file with your work facility, your employer will apply for a certificate of compliance on your behalf. The certificate will then be issued to you by the Records Department of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
-
1
References
- Florida Department of Corrections: Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
- Florida Department of Corrections: Salary Information
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement: Officer Requirements
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement: Equivalency of Training
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement; State Officer Certification Examination
