Out-of-State/Federal Officers

The Equivalency of Training process is for Out-of-State/Federal Officers and/or previously certified Florida officers with a four-year or more break in service  pursuant of Florida State Statute 943.131 (2) and Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) 11B-35.009(4)(5). This process is an avenue by which an officer may request an exemption from a full academy program. Eligible out-of-state applicants wishing to enter this process with this selection center must comply with the following:

(1) Must have been employed as a "full-time" officer with an agency authorized by law to employ or appoint officers pursuant to Section 943.10(4), Florida Statutes. Full-time means any employed or appointed status in which a normal work week consists of forty or more on-duty hours, exclusive of overtime, holidays, regular days off, leave, or other authorized or ordered absence from work.

(2) Must have been employed at least one year as a 'full-time" officer. "At least one year" means a time period of twelve months sworn experience that shall have occurred at no more than two criminal justice agencies over a period not to exceed eighteen months as a full-time officer in a specified discipline, excluding periods which an individual was enrolled in or attending basic recruit training. This employment must have been within eight years of applying for Florida equivalency.

(3) Complete an Institute of Public Safety Equivalency Application.  It must be notarized.  You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer to view/print this file.

(4) Complete a Release of Information Form (CJSTC 58). It must be notarized.  You must have the Acrobat Adobe Reader on your computer to view/print this file.

(5) Enclose all documentation relating to past academy training schedule, outline or syllabus that lists all topics taken and a brief description of those topics, plus all specialized/advanced training courses completed.

(6) Mail all documents to:

Polk Community College

Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety

999 Avenue H, NE

Winter Haven, Fl.  33881

Attn: Burton A. Tew

Station #9

There is a $200.00 fee charged to applicants for processing out-of-state equivalency requests.

For more information regarding this program, contact: Burton Tew at (863)669-2914.

Former Florida-Certified Officers

Former Florida-certified officers who wish to renew lapsed Florida Officer Certification may do so by meeting the following requirements:

(1) Must have been a former active Florida-certified officer.

(2) From date of last employment as a Florida officer and application date must not exceed eight years.

(3) Applicant must complete a Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety application. It must be notarized.

(4) Must complete a notarized CJSTC Form 58 (Release of Information).

There is a $50.00 fee payable to Polk Community College for this process.

Submit all documentation to:

Polk Community College

Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety

999 Avenue H, NE

Winter Haven, Fl.  33881

Attn: Burton A. Tew

Station #9

For more information regarding this process contact: Burton Tew at (863)669-2914.

Out-of-state/Federal and former Florida-certified applicants who qualify for an exemption will receive a Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training (CJSTC) Form 76 from Florida Department of Law Enforcement indicating applicant's eligibility. Approved applicants will  have one full year from date of receipt of this form to complete a recertification course and pass the State Officer Certification exam.