Correctional Officer (CTC)

• Leads to state or Organizational License or Certification: State Officer Certification Examination - Corrections
• Cost Associated with taking the exam:   $100 
•   Where to take the exam: Florida Department of Law Enforcement

This certificate program meets minimum education standards for correctional officers as required by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC). Correctional Officers are employed by state correctional institutions, city or county jails, and other correctional facilities that provide secure inmate supervision. Correctional Officers are responsible for providing care, custody, and control of inmates housed in these facilities. The Correctional Officer, Florida CMS program provides the student with an overview of the correctional system as well as basic correctional skills and procedures. This program will prepare the student to sit for the State Examination administered by FDLE. Individuals must be at least 19 years of age to sit for the State Exam.

Refer to the Career and Technical Certificates  landing page to find information about admission and  graduation. 

Program-Specific Admissions Information: Admission to the Correctional Officer program is limited by special application and testing. For information on how to apply for this program contact the Public Safety Institute at (321) 433-5635. For testing information (Basic Abilities Test, BAT) contact the Brevard Police Testing and Selection Center at (321) 433-5638. This program is offered at the Melbourne Campus Public Safety Institute. 

• Applicant must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Applicant must be a citizen of the United States.
• Applicant must not have been dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States.
• Applicant must not have been convicted of any felony, or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, shall not be eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, not-withstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication.
• Applicant must take the Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT) and achieve required scores.
• Applicant must have a physical examination prior to program entry. These forms are part of the application packet available at the Public Safety Institute.

Refer to the Career and Technical Certificates  overview page to find information about admission, graduation, testing, and other requirements. 

Visit the program page for more information.

Program of Study

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Completion Group 1 (215 clock hours)
CJK 0301	Introduction to Corrections	32
CJK 0355	Legal for Correctional Officers	22
CJK 0306	Communication for Correctional Officers	32
CJK 0111	Interviewing and Report Writing in Corrections	16
CJK 0327	Shift Management and Safety	20
CJK 0321	Intake and Release	16
CJK 0324	Supervision in a Correctional Facility	32
CJK 0326	Supervising Correctional Populations	25
CJK 0336	Incidents and Emergencies in Correctional Facilities	20
Completion Group 2 (230 clock hours)
CJK 0031	First Aid for Criminal Justice Officers	40
CJK 0040	Criminal Justice Firearms	80
CJK 0051	Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics	80
CJK 0340	Officer Wellness and Physical Abilities	30
Total Credit Hours		445

A grade of "C" or higher is necessary in each major course for progression and graduation.

1. Apply the concepts of safely interacting and handling inmates.
   • Core Ability Supported: Communicate Effectively
2. Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills when dealing with inmates.
   • Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
3. Demonstrate the proper techniques of fingerprinting.
   • Core Ability Supported: Communicate Effectively
4. Explain the elements of Florida Statute 776 as related to the use of force by Criminal Justice officers.
   • Core Ability Supported: Process Information