Enjoy serving and helping others?
A career in public service may be right for you. Modern society could not function without the protection of law enforcement officers, the assistance of emergency responders or support for those who are unable to help themselves, including children and the elderly. Employment within public service includes many positions in professions such as law enforcement, legal services, firefighting, public transportation and social services.
PHSC provides you with the career guidance, preparation, training, and the support that you need to find yourself in a career in public service.
Individuals serving the public often require continuing education and training to keep current in skills and technology. PHSC offers Advanced Training courses in law enforcement and American Heart Association CPR certificate courses - available through Continuing Professional Education opportunities.
Law Enforcement Special Notices
NEW - Training Program to Become a Law Enforcement Officer in Florida
- Equivalency of Training 2-Week Program
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PHSC's Equivalency of Training (EOT) program is for out-of-state officers, federal officers, military personnel, and previously certified Florida officers with a break of service of more than four years. (See Florida Statutes 943.131(2) and Florida Administrative Code 11B-35.009(4)(5).) This EOT Academy exempts you from having to complete the full basic recruit academy and qualifies you to sit for the Florida State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE).
You may be eligible for an exemption from the full basic training requirements if you were an officer in another state or with the federal government and meet the following requirements:
- You worked at least one year, full time as a sworn officer in the discipline you are seeking exemption;
- You received training in that discipline comparable to Florida's full basic recruit curriculum, and/or
- You were previously certified as an officer in Florida.
Your break of service can be no more than eight years to qualify. A break in employment is measured from the separation date of the most recent qualifying employment to the time a complete application requesting an exemption from training is submitted.
Once granted an exemption from basic recruit training, the student will complete the program to include the required proficiency and achieve a passing score on the SOCE within one year of receiving your exemption. If you don't meet the requirements, you will need to complete an approved basic recruit training program.
The two-week Equivalency of Training Academy is not intended for basic instruction, rather for the experienced criminal justice veteran. The program consists of 80 hours in law enforcement training, including:
- First Responder (26 hours)
- Defensive Tactics (16 hours)
- Vehicle Operations (12 hours)
- First Aid (12 hours)
- Firearms (10 hours)
- CEW/DFSG (1 hour)
- SOCE Review (3 hours)
Contact the Public Services Technology department to learn more.
- 2022 Equivalency of Training Course Schedule
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Programs:
Law Enforcement
- 8 training days (4 high liability & 4 classroom instruction)
- $1,025.00
Corrections
- 4 training days (3 high liability & 1 classroom instruction)
- $500.00
Learn more about active law enforcement programs on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website.
