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Specialized Instructor Certification

Specialized Instructor certification is required to teach the following topics:

  • Driver Training
  • Explosives and Hazardous Materials
  • Firearms
  • First Responder
  • Physical Fitness
  • Subject Control/Arrest Techniques

Requirements for each specialized instructor course are listed below:

Driver Instructor

(12 NCAC 09B .0227)

Each applicant for specialized driver instructor training shall:

  • Have successfully completed the criminal justice general instructor training course;
  • Present a written endorsement by a certified school director indicating the student will be utilized to instruct driving in Basic Law Enforcement Training Courses;
  • Possess a valid operator driver’s license;
  • Maintain a safe driving record where no more than four points have been assigned against the driving record within the past three years; and
  • Possess a valid CPR Certification that included cognitive and skills testing.

For more information on the Specialized Driver Instructor Training Course please visit the North Carolina Justice Academy Web site.

Explosives and Hazardous Materials Emergencies Instructor

(12 NCAC 09B .0304)

Each applicant for specialized explosive and hazardous materials instructor shall satisfy one of the following two options:

  • The first option:
    • Hold General Instructor Certification either probationary status or full general instructor status, as specified in Rule .0303 of this Section.
  • Complete the Commission-approved specialized explosives and hazardous materials instructor training course; and
    obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director or in-service training coordinator.
  • The second option:
    • Have completed the Fire Service Instructor Methodology Course or the equivalent utilizing the Instructional Systems Design model, an international model with applications in education, military training, and private enterprise;
      Complete the Commission-approved specialized explosives and hazardous materials instructor training course; and
  • Obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director or in-service training coordinator.

Firearms Instructor

(12 NCAC 09B .0226)

Each applicant for specialized firearms instructor training shall:

  • Have completed the criminal justice general instructor training course; and
  • Present a written endorsement by a certified school director indicating the student will be utilized to instruct firearms in the Basic Law Enforcement Training Course; or
  • Present a written endorsement by a department head or certified school director indicating the student will be utilized to instruct firearms in a “Law Enforcement Officers’ In‑Service Firearms Training and Qualification Program”; and
  • Possess a valid CPR Certification that included cognitive and skills testing.

For more information on the Specialized Firearms Instructor Training Course please visit the North Carolina Justice Academy Web site.

First Responder Instructor

(12 NCAC 09B .0304)

Each applicant for first responder instructor training shall satisfy one of the following two options:

  • The first option:
    • Hold current CPR instructor certification through an organization whose curriculum meets the national standard.
    • Hold current basic Emergency Medical Technician certification or have been previously certified as an EMT.
    • Have successfully completed the Department of Transportation’s 40 hour EMT Instructor Course or equivalent within the last three years or hold a current North Carolina teaching certificate.
    • Obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director.
  • The second option:
    • Hold General Instructor Certification, either probationary status or full general instructor status.
    • Hold current CPR instructor certification through an organization whose curriculum meets the national standard.
    • Hold current basic EMT certification.
    • Obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director.

Physical Fitness Instructor

(12 NCAC 09B .0233)

Each applicant for specialized physical fitness training shall qualify through one of the following three options:

  • Have completed the criminal justice general instructor training course.
  • Hold a current and valid North Carolina Teacher’s Certificate and hold a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in physical education and be actively teaching in physical education topics.
  • Be presently instructing physical education topics in a community college, college or university and hold a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in physical education.

and all of the following:

  • Present a written endorsement by a school director indicating the student will be utilized to instruct physical fitness in Basic Law Enforcement Training Courses.
  • Present a letter from a physician stating fitness to participate in the course.
  • Possess a valid CPR Certification that included cognitive and skills testing.

For more information on the Physical Fitness Instructor Training Course please visit the North Carolina Justice Academy Web site.

Subject Control/Arrest Techniques Instructor

(12 NCAC 09B .0232)

Each applicant for specialized subject control arrest techniques instructor training shall:

  • Have completed the criminal justice general instructor training course.
  • Present a letter from a licensed physician stating the applicant’s physical fitness to participate in the course.
  • Present a written endorsement by a certified school director indicating the student will be utilized to instruct subject control arrest techniques in Basic Law Enforcement Training Courses.
  • Possess a valid CPR Certification that included cognitive and skills testing.

For more information on the Specialized Subject Control Arrest Techniques Instructor Training Course please visit the North Carolina Justice Academy Web site.

Terms and Conditions of Specialized Instructor Certification

(12 NCAC 09B .0305)

  • The applicant must apply for certification as a specialized instructor within 60 days from the date of completion of a specialized instructor course and passing the state exam.

The following requirements shall apply during the initial period of certification:

  • Where certification for both General Probationary Instructor and Specialized Instructor Certification is issued on the same date, the instructor shall be required to satisfy the teaching requirement for only the General Probationary Instructor certification. The instructor may do so by teaching any specialized topic for which certification has been issued;
  • where Specialized Instructor Certification becomes concurrent with an already existing 36 month period of Specialized Instructor Certification, the instructor must teach 12 hours for each specialized topic for which certification has been issued.

The following requirements shall apply for each three-year period of certification:

  • The term of certification as a specialized instructor shall not exceed the 36 month period.
  • The application for renewal shall contain documentary evidence that the applicant has remained active in the instructional process during the previous three-year period. Such documentary evidence shall include the following:
    • Proof that the applicant has instructed at least 12 hours in each of the topics for which Specialized Instructor Certification was granted.
    • Proof that the applicant has attended and successfully completed any instructor updates that have been issued by the Commission; and either
      • A favorable written recommendation from a School Director or In-Service Training Coordinator that the instructor successfully taught at least 12 hours in each of the topics for which Specialized Instructor Certification was granted; or
      • A favorable evaluation by a Commission or staff member, based on an on‑site classroom evaluation of a presentation by the instructor in a Commission-certified training course or a Commission‑recognized in‑service training course, during the three-year period of Specialized Instructor Certification.
  • Upon submission of the required documentation for renewal, the Commission staff shall renew the certification as a Specialized Instructor.
  • Certification as a specialized instructor in the First Responder, Physical Fitness, and Explosive and Hazardous Materials topics, specifically those certifications not based upon General Instructor Certification, shall remain in effect for 36 months from the date of issuance. During the 36 month term, all non-Commission certificates required in 12 NCAC 09B .0304 must be maintained.

Requirements for Professional Lecturer Certification

(12 NCAC 09B .0306)

The Commission may issue Professional Lecturer Certification to a person in a profession, who, by virtue of academic degrees and professional expertise has developed special knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

  • Psychology
  • Medicine
  • Law

Each applicant for professional lecturer certification shall:

  • Be a graduate of an accredited law school, medical school, or other school accredited for conferring degrees informally recognized professions acceptable to the Commission; and
  • Obtain the endorsement of a commission‑recognized school director who shall:
    • Recommend the applicant for certification as a professional lecturer.
    • Describe the applicant’s expected participation, topical areas, duties, and responsibilities in a delivery of Commission‑accredited training conducted by the school.
    • Describe the attributes showing the applicant to be a beneficial contributor to the delivery or presentation in a Commission‑accredited training program.

Terms and Conditions of Professional Lecturer Certification

(12 NCAC 09B .0307)

  • Certification as a professional lecturer shall remain effective for 36 months from the date of issuance. The lecturer shall apply for re‑certification at or before the end of the 36 month period.
  • During the 36 month period of certification, a certified professional lecturer may participate in repetitions of the same training course or courses for which certification is granted so long as there are no changes therein which alter the topical areas, duties, and responsibilities of the lecturer.