Basic Law Enforcement Training Department

In order to assure the public a consistent level of competence of Police officers and to promote the professional status of law enforcement officials, the Criminal Justice Standards Division administers the Commission's mandatory certification program for all sworn police officers.

Law Enforcement Certification

Law enforcement in North Carolina is a growing profession. In 1971, the General Assembly adopted the Criminal Justice Training and Standards Council Act which led to the adoption of minimum entrance standards as well as a mandatory basic training requirement for all sworn law enforcement officers, effective in 1973. The present basic training requirement consists of a minimum of 618 hours of training.

The Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission is the agency that is charged with the task of regulating the law enforcement profession. The Commission implements education and training programs in an endeavor to raise the level of competence of law enforcement personnel.

As a result of better quality training, greater technological sophistication, improved salaries and an excellent pension plan, employment in the law enforcement profession has become an attractive and rewarding career choice. North Carolina currently employs approximately 17,500 sworn police officers who serve in more than 500 state agencies, colleges and universities, county police departments, municipal police departments and local ABC enforcement agencies. The future looks bright for the law enforcement profession in North Carolina.

Minimum Standards for the Certification of Law Enforcement Officers

According to 12 NCAC 9B .0101/9B .0111, every Law Enforcement Officer employed by an agency in North Carolina shall:

• Be a citizen of the United States;
• Be at least 20 years of age;
• Be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation;
• Have been fingerprinted and a search made of local, state, and national files to disclose any record;
• Have been examined and certified by a physician to meet physical requirements necessary to properly fulfill the officer's particular job responsibilities;
• Have produced a negative result on a drug screen administered according to the standards of the Department of Health and Human Services for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs;
• Have undergone a psychological screening examination by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist licensed to practice in North Carolina to determine the officer's mental and emotional suitability to properly fulfill the job responsibilities;
• Have been interviewed personally by the Department Head or his representative to determine such things as the applicant's appearance, demeanor, attitude, and ability to communicate;
• Notify the Criminal Justice Standards Division of all criminal offenses for which the officer is arrested, charged, pleads no contest or guilty, or is found guilty; not have committed or been convicted of: a felony; a crime for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for more than two years; a crime or unlawful act defined as a "Class B misdemeanor" within the five year period prior to the date of application for employment; or four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as "Class B misdemeanors" regardless of the date of conviction; or four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as "Class A misdemeanors" except the applicant may be employed if the last conviction occurred more than two years prior to the date of an application for employment;
• Be a high school graduate or have passed the General Educational Development Test indicating high school equivalency;
• Satisfactorily complete the Reading Comprehension Test and have at least a 10th grade reading level after conditional acceptance.

The Criminal Justice and Training Standards Commission regulation requires a trainee to attend all 35 topic area classes of the Basic Law Enforcement Training. This program offers the students basic skills in 35 topic areas which will qualify them to set for the State Exam. All of which is needed to completed with a passing grade of 75%.

Program Information

Upon completion of this program and passing all 35 topic areas which consist of 37 written exams and 8 practical applications the student in now able to take the State 300 question exam for certification. The student will have one year from the date of this State exam to be hired as a Law Enforcement Officer in North Carolina or will lose this certification.

The student can fail three exams and then set for a re-exam. Upon failing the fourth exam or any re-exam they will be dropped from the program.

How do I get into this program?

Complete a Wake Technical Community College Application by applying either Online OR by Paper.

Click here for Admissions Information.

Estimated Expenses

Not included in this estimate is the fee for physical examination that required by the Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission.

* Tuition is established by the State Board of Community Colleges and is subject to change without notice.

** Additional fees totaling approximately $32 include a student administration fee, a computer use and technology fee, and vehicle registration/parking fee. Fees are established by the Trustees of the College and are subject to change without notice.

Additional questions can be forwarded to Walter Stewart at wwstewart@waketech.edu or Kent Hobbs at bkhobbs@waketech.edu.

How long is this program?

Day class which is full time Monday through Friday is about 19 weeks and night class which is part time Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 5PM to 10PM and all day Saturdays 8AM to 5PM is about 32 weeks.

Available Options:

Certificate