Professional Certificate Program
The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission offers the Professional Certificate Program to recognize the level of competency of officers serving governmental agencies within the State, to foster increased interest in college education and professional training programs, and to attract highly qualified people into law enforcement and criminal justice careers.
Eligibility for professional certificates is determined by a formula that combines formal education, professional training, and work experience as a law enforcement or criminal justice officer.
The Commission makes these awards available under the authority granted pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 17C, and in accordance with 12 NCAC 09 Subchapter D.
Point Computation Formula
Awards are based upon a formula which combines formal education, law enforcement or criminal justice officer training, and actual experience as a law enforcement or criminal justice officer. Points are computed in the following manner:
- Education – The applicant’s highest educational degree will be given a point value. Graduate degrees will be worth 15 points, Bachelor’s degrees will be worth 12 points, and Associate’s degrees will be worth 7 points. Each semester hour of college or university credit earned in pursuit of an educational degree not yet completed by the applicant shall equal one-tenth of a point, and each quarter hour of college or university credit earned shall equal one-fifteenth of a point. The total points earned in this manner shall not equal or exceed the number of points that would be given for the degree upon completion.
- Training – Twenty classroom or practical skills assessment hours of Commission-approved law enforcement training shall equal one point. No points shall be awarded for completing Commission-approved courses that are required to obtain or maintain law enforcement certification, including basic law enforcement training and in-service training courses. Additionally, no points will be awarded for the maintenance of specialized law enforcement training.
- Experience – Each full year of service as a full-time employee of a North Carolina criminal justice agency, or equivalent service as determined by the Commission, shall fulfill a requisite year of creditable service. For the purposes of this Rule, “equivalent service” includes full-time, sworn employment within the State, out-of-state, or with a federal law enforcement agency or the military police.
General Provisions for Law Enforcement Professional Awards
To be eligible for one or more of the law enforcement professional awards, a law enforcement officer shall first meet the following preliminary qualifications:
- Holds general law enforcement officer certification OR has previously held general law enforcement officer certification, but is presently, by virtue of promotion or transfer, serving in a non-sworn position not subject to certification.
- Is not serving under a probationary certification, the applicant shall be in good standing with their employing agency at the date of application. An officer subject to suspension or revocation proceedings, probation subsequent to suspension or revocation proceedings, or under investigation for possible decertification action by the Commission, the Company and Campus Police Program, or the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission, shall not be eligible for professional certificates for the pendency of the proceeding or the period of probation.
- Is a full-time, sworn (or has promoted or transferred to a non-sworn position not subject to certification), paid member of a law enforcement agency within the state.
Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate
To be eligible for the Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate, a law enforcement officer should meet the following qualifications:
- Meets the qualifications to receive a Professional Award; and
- Has acquired a minimum of four years of full-time law enforcement service and a minimum of 30 total education and training points.
Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate
To be eligible for the Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate, a law enforcement officer should meet the following qualifications:
- Meets the qualifications to receive a Professional Award; and
- Has acquired a minimum of nine years of full-time law enforcement service and a minimum of 60 total education and training points.
General Provisions for Criminal Justice Professional Awards
To be eligible for one or more of the criminal justice professional awards, a criminal justice officer shall first meet the following preliminary qualifications:
- Holds general criminal justice officer/state youth services officer certification OR has previously held general criminal justice officer/state youth services officer certification, but is presently, by virtue of promotion or transfer, serving in a position not subject to certification.
- Is not serving under a probationary certification, the applicant shall be in good standing with their employing agency at the date of application. An officer subject to suspension or revocation proceedings, probation subsequent to suspension or revocation proceedings, or under investigation for possible decertification action by the Commission, the Company and Campus Police Program, or the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission, shall not be eligible for professional certificates for the pendency of the proceeding or the period of probation.
- Is a permanent, paid member of a criminal justice agency within the state.
Intermediate Criminal Justice Certificate
To be eligible for the Intermediate Criminal Justice Certificate, a criminal justice officer should meet the following qualifications:
- Meets the qualifications to receive a Professional Award; and
- Has acquired a minimum of four years of full-time criminal justice service and a minimum of 30 total education and training points.
Advanced Criminal Justice Certificate
To be eligible for the Advanced Criminal Justice Certificate, a criminal justice officer should meet the following qualifications:
- Meets the qualifications to receive a Professional Award; and
- Has acquired a minimum of nine years of full-time criminal justice service and a minimum of 80 total education and training points.
How to Apply for an Award
1. Compute your qualifications. Compare your education, accumulated points and your total creditable experience with the requirements listed on this page.
2. If you are qualified to receive an award, complete the Application for Award of Law Enforcement Certificate Form F-6 (LEO) or Award of Criminal Justice Certificate Form F-6 (DAC) and attach the necessary documents to verify your qualifications. Education and training MUST be supported by official transcripts, copies of diplomas, official training records, or other documentation.
3. Return the application and other documentation to your agency head or training coordinator for his or her endorsement. No award shall be issued unless recommended by an agency head or training coordinator.
4. Have your agency head or training coordinator forward your application and other documentation to the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Division by mail, fax, or email at the addresses below.
5. If the Commission elects to grant the Advanced Certificate award, you will have the opportunity to receive your award during the quarterly Commission Meeting or have it mailed to your agency. Applicants should note that the Advanced Certificate applications must be presented to the Commission for approval at quarterly meetings. This requirement may result in a 3- to 4-month processing period for the Advanced Certificate award.
How to Apply for a Replacement Award
1. Please fill out the Request for Replacement of Professional Certificate Form F-7.
2. An applicant must have previously been awarded either an Intermediate or Advanced Certificate to be able to receive a replacement.
3. Forward your application and other documentation to the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Division by mail, fax, or email at the addresses below.
Mailing Address:
Criminal Justice Standards Division
PO Drawer 149
Raleigh, NC 27602-0149
Fax: (919) 779-8210
Email: cjprocerts@ncdoj.gov