Equivalency of Training

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.

*If your time is limited, you can forgo the test saturation portion and only take the high liability proficiency portion.