Basic Recruit Exemption for Experienced Officers
The Florida Public Safety Institute (FPSI) offers a ten-day Equivalency of Training (EoT) that allows a former officer or special forces member to be exempt from having to complete the full basic recruit academy.
EoT 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), Florida Statutes, and Rule 11B-35.009(5), F.A.C.
For more information, please visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Equivalency of Training website.
Eligibility for an exemption from the basic training requirements is possible for officers from another state or the federal government who also meet the following requirements:
- Have worked at least one year, full-time, as a sworn officer in the discipline seeking exemption (law enforcement or corrections).
- Have 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.
- No more than an eight-year break-in service since the latest separation from a sworn position.
- Have worked at least five years as a member of the special operations forces and;
- Have no more than a four-year break-in service since separation from the special operations forces.
- Have been fully certified as an officer in Florida.
- Have at least a four-year break-in service but no more than an eight-year break-in service since most recent separation in Florida.
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
Florida Public Safety Institute provides the following over a ten-day period:
- Provides high liability training proficiency courses (firearms, defensive tactics, driving, first aid).
- Offers four days of curriculum test saturation (recommended but not required).
- Administers the Florida State Officer Certification Exam on-site.
*If your time is limited, you can forgo the test saturation portion and only take the high liability proficiency portion.
Upcoming Courses
- November 13 - 22, 2024 - Exemption from Training Course (8 a.m. - 5 p.m. / M-S)
- February 12 - 21, 2025 - Exemption from Training Course (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m./M-S)
- June 4 - 13, 2025 - Exemption from Training Course (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m./M-S)
- August 20 - 29, 2025 - Exemption from Training Course (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m./M-S)
- October 22 - 31, 2025 - Exemption from Training Course (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m./M-S)
Contact Us
Request More Information
Director of Continuing Education
Elizabeth Bascom
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Coordinator