Minimum Training Standards: Telecommunicators

Telecommunicator Certification Course

The current Commission mandated Telecommunicator Certification Course, as outlined in Rule .1302 of the Administrative Code, should contain a minimum of 47 hours of instruction. It is offered across the state by the NC Justice Academy, some Sheriffs’ Offices and several community colleges.

The Rule accredits the course as developed by the Justice Academy. A full course of instruction must be delivered to all Telecommunicator Certification Course trainees. A change or expansion of a topic area in the course should not be made. However, any local agency rules or standards may be delivered during the course to trainees, but may not be supported by the Commission for purposes of testing or certification.

Once a telecommunicator becomes employed as such with a sheriff s department or other agency which chooses to participate in the Telecommunicator Certification Program, he/she is then placed on a probationary period for twelve (12) months. During the probationary period, the telecommunicator should complete a Telecommunicator Certification Course. A telecommunicator that does not complete a course delivery during the probationary period will no longer be able to perform the duties of a telecommunicator.

The Telecommunicator Certification Course is valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of administering the state examination. If an individual completes a course delivery and begins employment with an agency more than one (1) year from the administering of the state examination, the individual’s training would be considered invalid and he/she would be required to complete an additional course delivery.

Annual In-Service Training is also required for Telecommunicators.