Law Enforcement Officer Vocational Certificate

How do I apply to the law enforcement certificate program?

If you wish to attend the law enforcement academy at Gulf Coast State College:

1.  You must apply for admission to Gulf Coast State College and enroll in either LEOF-VC or CJST-AS. If you are receiving some manner of financial aid then you must also complete the College Placement Test scheduled by Jennifer Pierson (850-769-1551 x5611). Ms. Pierson is located in room 125, of the Bay County Emergency Operations Center, at 700 County Road 2300, Southport, Florida. Additionally, all students new to GCSC must complete the GCSC new student orientation. You can register for the GCSC new student orientation today.
2.  You must complete the law enforcement academy application packet, available from David Thomasee (dthomasee@gulfcoast.edu), in its entirety, inclusive of completing all pages of the application, having the pages of the application that require notarization so notarized, providing all required documentation copies; and, providing a color, passport size (2 x 2 inch), current photo. Incomplete applications will not be accepted; and, will delay your entry into the law enforcement academy.
3. You must successfully complete the CJBAT (Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test) for law enforcement (cost = $50); and, attain a passing score of 70 or above, under Florida law, on the CJBAT in order to enter the academy. The CJBAT is by appointment only, and can be scheduled through Pearson Vue Testing at https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers.aspx. Click on the search bar in the middle of the page next to “Readys, set, test” and type FDLE. When Florida Department of Law Enforcement comes up, click the link and then click on Basic Abilities Test (BAT). If you have any questions, please contact the testing center at 850-769-1551 ext. 3336 or at testingcenter@gulfcoast.edu. (*Note: Prior to taking the CJBAT you must present a valid state issued drivers license and your Social Security Card, no copies of either drivers license or Social Security Card will be accepted.)
4.  You must submit to being fingerprinted, and successfully complete, the associated background investigation (cost = $85). If you have ever been convicted of any felony; or, any misdemeanor involving perjury, false statement, or any charge relating to domestic violence, you are ineligible to attend any law enforcement academy in the State of Florida. Also, if you were convicted of a felony as a juvenile; you cannot be in the constructive possession of a firearm until you are twenty-four years of age and will therefore not be able to attend the law enforcement academy until said age is attained.
5.  You must submit to, and successfully pass, a physical examination (your cost) performed by a Florida licensed Physician (MD), Nurse Practitioner (ARNP); or, Physician’s Assistant (PA). The academy physical MUST be completed on CJSTC Form 75-B, that is contained within the attached law enforcement academy application. NOTE: If for any reason, medical or otherwise, you are incapable of being exposed to Oleo-Resin Capsicum (commonly known as pepper spray) you will not be able to attend the academy. Additionally, within the first two weeks of the academy you must undertake a physical fitness test comprised of a maximum effort vertical jump, maximum effort push-ups for one minute, maximum effort sit-ups for one minute, a 300 meter run; and, a 1.5 mile walk/run. The exact same test will be administered during the last two weeks of the academy in order to determine if satisfactory physical fitness progress over the course of the academy was achieved.
6.  Complete an pre-entrance interview with David Thomasee (dthomasee@gulfcoast.edu), scheduled by appointment only, when you have fully completed all of the law enforcement academy application materials. This means that you have completely filled out all of the law enforcement academy application pages, have had the forms that require notarization so notarized, have all of the required documentation copies, have your color passport size photo, have successfully passed the CJBAT exam, have had your fingerprints rolled for the background investigation; and, have had your physical exam. Incomplete applications will not be accepted; and, will delay your entry into the law enforcement academy.

 Consult the Gulf Coast State College Catalog for specific program and course information.

2021-2022 Catalog Requirements

• General Education Core.

+ Prerequisites and/or corequisites required.  See course descriptions.

# Applies to A.S. degree and certificate programs.

= Career Certificate course.

* Minimum grade of "C" required.