Academy Admissions for Law Enforcement and Corrections Programs

The following minimum requirements for entry have been established through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission and the Region XII Training Council.

• Be able to complete the entire academy program within the scheduled time frame.
• Be at least 19 years of age at time of application.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be a high school graduate or its “equivalent” as the commission has defined the term by rule. Certified transcripts required.
• Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement.
• Not have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.
• Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement is not eligible for entry into the academy, notwithstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication.
• Any person who has pled nolo contendere to a misdemeanor involving a false statement, prior to December 1, 1985, and has had such record sealed or expunged shall not be deemed ineligible for acceptance into the academy.
• Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license. Candidates with valid out of state licenses must obtain a Florida driver’s license before the start of the academy.
• Must possess an acceptable driving record (Law Enforcement Officer CCP students only) defined as:
  • Less than three moving traffic violations within the last two years
  • Free from driver’s license suspensions for the past three (3) years.
  • Free from any convictions for criminal traffic offenses (DUI, Reckless driving) within the past five (5) years.
• Drug use history:
  • Have not used or possessed marijuana in the one (1) year prior to applying to the academy.
  • Have not used or possessed any other illegal drugs in the three (3) years prior to applying to the academy.
  • Have not misused prescription drugs in the three (3) years prior to applying to the academy.
  • Have not sold, transported, delivered or trafficked in any illegal drugs and/or fraudulently obtained any prescription drugs.
• Tattoos: Any tattoo, scar, branding, mark or other permanent body art or modification deliberately placed on the body for purposes of decoration, ornamentation or adornment. Any of the following will be cause for denial for entry into the academy:
  • Tattoo(s) on the fingers, hands, neck (visible when wearing a collared shirt), face or head.
  • Tattoo(s) commonly associated with gangs, organizations or groups which advocate hate, intolerance or discrimination.
  • Tattoo(s) which depict, describe or otherwise refer to sexual conduct, acts, organs or preferences.
  • Tattoo(s) which depict, describe, or refer to intolerance of, or discrimination against any race, religion, gender or national origin.
• Achieve a passing score on the Basic Abilities Test (BAT). Applicants to the Law Enforcement Officer program may be exempt if they have an associate degree (or higher) or DD214 form showing honorable discharge from the U.S. military.
• Complete and pass the Physical Agility Test (PAT).
• Be in good physical shape as determined by a licensed physician.
• Be drug free as determined by a 7-panel drug test.

Prospective students who are already employed with a law enforcement agency, such as the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, may work with their agency to apply for admission.

Student Applicant Tasks

The following tasks must be completed by the applicant. The agency cannot do these tasks on behalf of the applicant.

Step 1: Submit a general PBSC application
Complete the general application on the PBSC Admissions webpage and select the program code for your preferred program:

• Corrections Officer CCP: 5601
• Law Enforcement Officer CCP: 5600

Step 2: Request academic transcripts: Submit/Request Transcripts

Step 3: Declare Florida residency (if applicable): Florida Residency Guidelines

Step 4: Take the Basic Abilities Test (BAT)
The Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test, commonly referred to as the BAT or CJBAT, is a written test. Applicants to the Law Enforcement Officer program may be exempt if they have an associate degree (or higher) or DD214 form showing honorable discharge from the U.S. military. Learn more and register for the test

Agency Tasks

The agency will:

• submit the program application for your chosen Corrections or Law Enforcement program
• submit supporting materials, including background check results

Prospective students who are not currently employed by a sponsoring law enforcement agency are considered self-sponsored.

 

Start Early!
Please complete the application steps below as early as possible. The application process typically takes several months.

 

Step 1: Take the Physical Agility Test (PAT)
The Physical Agility Test (PAT) is a test on an obstacle course. Sign up early because test dates can fill up months in advance. Remember to submit a signed Physician's Medical Clearance Form at least 48 hours prior to your test date. Learn more and register for the test

Step 2: Submit a general PBSC application
Fill out PBSC's general application on the Admissions webpage and choose the program code for your preferred program:

• Corrections Officer CCP: 5601
• Law Enforcement Officer CCP: 5600

Step 3: Request academic transcripts 
Follow the instructions on the Submit/Request Transcripts webpage.

 

Step 4: Declare Florida residency (if applicable) 
Follow the instructions on the Florida Residency Guidelines webpage.

 

Step 5: Take the Basic Abilities Test (BAT)
The Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test, commonly referred to as the BAT or CJBAT, is a written test. Applicants to the Law Enforcement Officer program may be exempt if they have an associate degree (or higher) or DD214 form showing honorable discharge from the U.S. military. Learn more and register for the test

 

Step 6: Submit the program application and supporting documents
After passing the BAT and PAT, applicants will receive a print application and personal history questionnaire that may be submitted during the open application period posted for the academy they're applying to. The forms must be completed in full. Leave nothing blank — use N/A where applicable.

As part of the application, you will be required to submit the following supporting documents:

• Birth certificate
• Naturalization certificate or passport if you were not born in the United States
• Driver license
• Social Security card
• COMPLETE FLORIDA driving record from a County Clerk of Court or DMV office
• Complete driving record from any other state where you were issued a driver’s license
• DD214 if you served in the U.S. military
• Autobiography of approximately 500 words
• List of relevant certificates or awards you may have received
• If you were ever arrested, include a copy of the police report and disposition

The application must be 100% complete and submitted in person at Room PSC 123 in the Public Safety Training Center on the Lake Worth campus by the end of the open enrollment period for the academy you're applying to. View Lake Worth campus map

 

Step 7: Background Check Phase
If the application you submitted passes initial review, you will be contacted about scheduling a background check, including a psychological examination, polygraph test, fingerprinting and criminal history search. Applicants are responsible for paying the associated fees.

Estimated fees:

• Polygraph test: $125
• Psychological exam: $240
• Fingerprinting and criminal history background check: $75

 

Step 8: Interview 
If your application passes the background check phase, you will be invited to an interview with program staff at PBSC's Criminal Justice Institute.

 

Step 9: Final Decision
After completion of all the above steps, the applicant will be reviewed for acceptance into the next available requested academy program.

• There is no guarantee of acceptance, even if a student meets all selection criteria.
• The selection committee will follow the standard criteria set forth by Palm Beach State College, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Standards Training Commission as outlined in 943.13 Florida Statutes, 11B of the Florida Administrative Code and the Region XII Training Council.