FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT (FDLE)

The Equivalency of Training (EOT) process is for out-of-state officers, federal officers and previously certified Florida officers with a four year or more break-in-service pursuant to section 943.131(2a), Florida Statutes and Rule 11B-35.009(3) or (4), Florida Administrative Code or for persons who served as a member of the special operations forces pursuant to section 943.131(2)(b), F.S. and Rule 11B-35.009(5), F.A.C.

The EOT allows a former officer or special forces member to be exempt from having to complete the full basic recruit academy. 

You may be eligible for an exemption from the 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 and;

• You received training in that discipline which is comparable to Florida's full basic recruit curriculum or previously completed Florida’s full basic recruit training program and were certified in Florida.

• You have no more than an eight year break-in-service since your latest separation from a sworn position.

You may be eligible for an exemption from the full basic training requirements if you were a member of the special operations forces and meet the following requirements:

• You worked at least five years as a member of the special operations forces and;

• You have no more than a four year break-in-service since your separation from the special operations forces.

You may be eligible for an exemption from the full basic training requirements if you were a previously sworn Florida officer and meet the following requirements:

• You were fully certified as an officer in Florida.

• You have at least a four year break-in-service, but no more than an eight year break-in-service since your most recent separation from a sworn position in Florida.

The break in employment or service in the special operations forces is measured from the separation date of the most recent employment/service to the time a complete application requesting an exemption from training is submitted to a Criminal Justice Selection Center, Commission-certified training school, or criminal justice employing agency.

EOT is not a background investigative process to determine eligibility for Florida criminal justice employment. Applicants seeking an EOT should review s. 943.13 Florida Statutes and Rule 11B-27, Florida Administrative Code for employment requirements.  An employing agency is required to document compliance with employment requirements during the employment background investigation.

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 one year of receipt of the approved Equivalency of Training CJSTC Form 76.  Persons approved for an equivalency of training as a member of the special operations forces must complete the Commission-mandated training course for the discipline for which the equivalency of training was approved and pass the state certification exam in the same discipline within one year of receipt of the approved Equivalency of Training CJSTC Form 76. 

If you do not complete the required training and pass the State Officer Certification Examination within the one-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, training centers, or selection centers are responsible for reviewing requests for equivalency of training to determine eligibility for the exemption. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement does not determine a person's eligibility.

Upon collection, verification, and authentication of documentation which establishes that you meet the training/service and experience requirements, a criminal justice employing agency, training center or selection center will electronically submit a completed Equivalency of Training CJSTC Form 76 to the FDLE. (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

Documentation of prior service as a member of the special operations forces may consist of authentic copies of one or more of the following:

• Form DD214 showing service dates and discharge type

• Service orders or activation orders

• Letters or other documentation from commanding officers

• Other military documentation reflecting service dates and training

Once the request is processed, if approved for the exemption from training, you should enroll in the appropriate training at a Commission-certified training center.

The Steps for an Out-of-State, Federal, Previously Sworn Florida Officer or a Member of the Special Operations Forces To Become Certified in Florida: 

1. Contact a Criminal Justice Selection Center, Commission-certified Training 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 Training Center to enroll in the appropriate training course.

3. Once you complete the appropriate training course, 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 have up to three attempts to pass the examination provided all attempts are within the one-year time limit. If you are unable to complete the requirements within the one-year time limit, you may apply for an additional exemption from training, however, you only have three attempts total to successfully complete the examination regardless of how many exemptions from training you are granted. After three unsuccessful attempts, you have to complete a Commission-approved full basic recruit training program to be eligible to be certified as an officer.

4. Law enforcement EOT applicants must complete the following on-line courses:​

• Identifying and Investigating Elder Abuse and Neglect (Elder Abuse Investigations)

• Identifying and Investigating Human Trafficking

• Recognizing Head Injuries in Infants and Children (Child Welfare)

• Sexual Assault Investigations (Victims of Sexual Offenses)

Provide proof of completion of the above-listed courses to the agency at which you become employed.  The employing agency will update your training in your electronic record at the time of employment.

5. Obtain employment in a sworn position with a criminal justice agency which 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 and agency employment requirements.