Application Procedure

Pursuant to Florida Statute 943.13, all applicants must meet the following eligibility qualifications for academy acceptance, and employment or appointment as a Correctional Officer in the State of Florida:

• Be at least 19 years of age
• Be a high school graduate or its "equivalent" (GED)
• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Possess a valid driver's license
• Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, or have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement is not eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, notwithstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication. Notwithstanding this subsection, any person who has pled nolo contendere to a misdemeanor involving a false statement, prior to December 1, 1985, and has had such record sealed or expunged shall not be deemed ineligible for employment or appointment as an officer.
• Must be of good moral character.
• Not have been convicted of any misdemeanor involving domestic violence.
• Pursuant to the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997, which amends the Gun Control Act of 1968, any person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence as defined by the Act, is prohibited from shipping, transporting, possessing, or receiving firearms or ammunition. This includes convictions where adjudication has been withheld, but not including those convictions that have been expunged or otherwise set aside or pardoned.

You will be required to submit official documentation (official court documents from the Clerk of Court, arrest reports, official statements, etc) and it is your responsibility to be familiar with the disposition of any court appearance/case, and any details concerning any issues found in your fingerprinting report, polygraph exam, or in any other form of investigative resource that may be used by Eastern Florida State College, Brevard Police Testing OR your potential employer to determine your eligibility to become a Corrections Officer.

Since this is a limited access program with a special application process, it is important for prospective students to contact and work with the Academy Advisor, Melissa Walker, at 321-433-5637 or walkerme@easternflorida.edu

Please note Correctional Academies generally take place in the Fall or Spring Terms and exact start dates are announced once a minimum number of applications have been received.

Exam #1: The Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT)

Successfully pass the Correctional Officer Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT) approved by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. Pearson Vue testing centers administer the CJBAT.

NOTE: You must specifically request to take the CJBAT for Correctional Officers. The Law Enforcement Officer CJBAT is unacceptable for this program. View details about registering for the test.

For questions, you can call the Brevard Police Testing Center at 321-433-5638 or email at policeinfo@easternflorida.edu

Exam #2: The Physical Abilities Test (PAT)

Successfully pass the Physical Abilities Test (PAT)administered at Brevard Police Testing Center at the EFSC Melbourne Campus, Building 8. The cost of the PAT is $50 (money orders only). The test is challenging, timed, and has a required qualifying score. Check the BPTC website for the PAT registration form and instructions. Be sure to watch the PAT video on their site and read the test requirements. For more information call BPTC at 321-433-5638 or email at policeinfo@easternflorida.edu.

At this point, you can contact a recruiter for sponsorship during the Corrections Academy. Sponsorship means that a correctional agency may hire you prior to the academy, and provide you with paid training while you attend the academy, and they will pay for your tuition, lab fees and uniforms.

Sponsorships are not guaranteed and they are only available to applicants who meet the hiring criteria of the employing agency.

EFSC is not an employing agency and EFSC does not recruit for the agencies. It is the applicant's responsibility to contact the agency recruiters and research the agency's website for employment processing and benefits information.

You may contact the Brevard County Sheriff's Office recruiters at 321-264-5308, email them at recruitment@bcso.us , or visit the BCSO website.

If do not want a sponsorship to the academy, you may self-sponsor. Self-Sponsored applicants must successfully complete the applicant background screening process through Brevard Police Testing and Selection Center. This includes fingerprinting, a polygraph examination and other investigative resources. Please visit the BPTC website for more information on the process. The total cost of the background screening is $500, plus the cost of the CJBAT.

Because of the length of the program, financial aid is not available for the Corrections Academy, but you may use military benefits or apply for scholarships. See the FINANCIAL AID section in the program's estimated expenses web section.

All applicants must complete the EFSC admissions process.

New Students: Complete and properly file the application for general admission to Eastern Florida State College, prior to program application deadline. The EFSC General Application is available online. There is a $30 non-refundable application fee for admission that must be submitted at the time of application to the college. Complete all general accepted student admissions requirements with the Admissions office.

Returning Students: If it has been over one year since you have taken a course at EFSC, you must readmit. The EFSC Readmit Application is available online. There is no fee to readmit.

EFSC Campus Admissions Offices can assist the general admission application process and accepted student requirements. 

Verify with the Admissions Office that you have met all College Admissions requirements.

Log into the myEFSC Student Services Portal and check for Registration Holds that may prevent you from registering for courses. Click to learn more about how to clear holds.

All accepted students MUST pass a physical exam by a licensed physician as outlined on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement CJSTC 75B form. You cannot attend the academy without this medical clearance. The academy coordinator will provide this form once you have been accepted into the academy.