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Law Enforcement Certification: Agencies

Information for Agencies

Certification requirements for new/probationary appointees, lateral transfers, and out-of-state transfers are listed below.

NOTE: Documentation of Criminal Charges

When an applicant has a criminal record, he/she must list ALL charges, regardless of the disposition or the date of the charge, on both the Personal History Statement (form F-3) and the Report of Appointment/Application for Certification (form F-5A). Even if a charge was dismissed by the court or the district attorney, it still must be listed under the Criminal Offense Record section of these forms.

Every charge listed must be accompanied by true/certified copies of the warrant for arrest, citation/magistrate’s order, etc. and the court disposition/judgment. This documentation may be obtained from the Clerk of Court’s Office in the county in which the applicant was criminally charged.

Failure to list ALL charges may result in denial of certification, or suspension/revocation of an existing certification.

New/Probationary Appointees

The following documents must be collected and/or completed before a new officer can be certified:

  • General Release Form
  • Copy of birth certificate
  • Proof of high school graduation
  • Proof of BLET graduation
  • Submit two applicant fingerprint cards directly to the State Bureau of Investigation. (The SBI will forward a fingerprint card to the FBI, which will reply back to the SBI. The search results will then be mailed back to us where they will be entered into the Commission’s database and mailed back to the employing agency. All fingerprint responses must be received by this office within the officer’s probationary year in order for the officer to receive General Certification.)
  • Drug Screen results
  • Psychological Screening Examination results
  • If applicable, true/certified copies of documentation for all criminal charges, regardless of the dates or if dismissed/nol pros/not guilty, etc.
  • Signature of applicant
  • Signature of Chief of Police or his/her authorized representative

All forms listed below are located on the Forms page.

  • F-1(LE) Form (Medical History Statement)
  • F-2(LE) Form (Medical Examination Report)
  • F-3(LE) Form (Personal History Statement)
  • F-4 (Qualifications Appraisal Interview/agency alternate form)
  • F-5A(LE) Form (Report of Appointment/Application for Certification)
  • F-8 Form (Mandated Background Investigation)
  • F-9A Form (Firearms Qualification)

Lateral Transfer (holding GNA or GFA Certification)

Prior to employment, the hiring agency must:

  • Verify the certification of the officer with the Standards Division.
  • Submit an up-to-date fingerprint check.
  • Advise the officer that he or she will have to complete a one-year probationary period with the agency.
  • Submit a Report of Appointment to the Standards Division.

Prior to transfer of certification, the officer must:

  • Complete a Medical History Statement within one year prior to transfer.
  • Submit to a medical examination by a physician licensed in the state of North Carolina within one year prior to the transfer, and submit the results to the employing agency.
  • Submit verification of negative drug screen results.
  • If the on-duty and off-duty weapons are the same at the new agency as they were at the old agency, the officer should submit a copy of the in-service firearms training report form to the new agency, provided that the results are dated within one year prior to the transfer or, the officer must satisfactorily complete the employing agency’s in-service firearms training program.

An officer holding probationary certification may not laterally transfer from one law enforcement agency to another. The probationary period must be completed in its entirety at the same agency. If an officer terminates employment with one agency before his or her year is up, he or she must start a new probationary period at the new agency.

  • Submit two applicant fingerprint cards directly to the State Bureau of Investigation. (The SBI will forward a fingerprint card to the FBI, which will reply back to the SBI. The search results will then be mailed back to us where they will be entered into the Commission’s database and mailed back to the employing agency. All fingerprint responses must be received by this office within the officer’s probationary year in order for the officer to receive General Certification.)

All forms listed below are located on the Forms page.

  • F-1(LE) Form (Medical History Statement)
  • F-2(LE) Form (Medical Examination Report)
  • F-5A(LE) Form (Report of Appointment/Application for Certification)
  • F-9A Form (Firearms Qualification)
  • Drug Screen results
  • If applicable, true/certified copies of documentation for all criminal charges, regardless of the dates or if dismissed/nol pros/not guilty, etc.
  • Signature of applicant
  • Signature of Chief of Police or his/her authorized representative

Out-of-State Transfer

Out-of-state transferees will be evaluated to determine the amount and quality of their training and experience. At a minimum, out-of-state candidates must have two years of full-time, sworn law enforcement experience and have successfully completed a basic law enforcement training course accredited by the state from which they are transferring in order to be considered for transfer to a North Carolina law enforcement agency. Out-of-state transferees cannot have a break in service exceeding three years.

Prior to employment as a certified law enforcement officer in North Carolina, out-of-state transferees must successfully complete the employing agency’s in-service firearms training and qualification program. At a minimum, they must also complete the Legal Unit and any other identified training of a Commission-certified BLET course and successfully pass the entire state BLET comprehensive examination within their 12-month probationary period.

All out-of-state transfers are considered Probationary Appointees who must meet the requirements stated above prior to being issued Probationary Certification as a law enforcement officer. After receiving the appropriate documentation, our staff will review the officer’s credentials to determine what additional training will be required during the probationary year. In addition to the above-stated requirements, the officer must submit the following documentation:

A letter from the officer’s previous law enforcement agency detailing dates of FULL-TIME, sworn service; and you are in good standing;

  • A copy of the officer’s Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) course certificate of successful completion;
  • A topical breakdown/syllabus of the courses completed in BLET.

Once BLET status has been determined, see the New/Probationary Employees section above for certification procedures.

Certification Process

  • Probationary/General Certification: Once a Report of Appointment/Application for Certification (Form F-5A) has been received and approved, a Probationary or General Certification is mailed to the employing law enforcement agency. All certifications must be mailed back to the Criminal Justice Standards Division within 10 days from the date that the officer is administered the oath of office. The original form with signatures should be mailed back to the Standards Division and a copy should be maintained in the agency’s personnel files.
  • Extending a Probationary Certification: Under certain circumstances, a Probationary Certification can be extended beyond one year. The Chief of Police or his/her representative should submit a letter of request to the Criminal Justice Standards Division prior to the expiration date on the Probationary Certification. Please include the officer’s name, Social Security number and the reason for the extension. By rule, Probationary Certifications can be extended for up to six months.

Who May Administer the Oath of Office: (G.S. 11-7.1)

  • A judge, justice, magistrate, clerk, assistant clerk, or deputy clerk of the General Court of Justice, a retired justice or judge of the General Court of Justice, or any member of the federal judiciary.
  • The Secretary of State.
  • A notary public.
  • A register of deeds.
  • A mayor of any city, town, or incorporated village.
  • The chairman of a committee of the House or Senate of the General Assembly, or either of the co-chairmen of a joint committee.
  • The clerk of any county, city, town or incorporated village.