Certification Bureau
Contact Information for Programs and Services
The Certification Bureau (CB) is responsible for certifying peace officers pursuant to Penal Code Section 13510.1 in the state of California.
The POST administrative staff and the POST Commission consistently strives to balance compassion for the individual officer with commitment to protecting the law enforcement profession and the public’s trust. The POST staff views the certification process as a necessary responsibility to protect the rights and privileges of citizens and peace officers alike.
CB Programs and Services
- Issuance of POST Required Certificates (Proof of Eligibility and Basic Certificate)
- POST Professional Certificates
- Respond to Background Inquiries for lateral candidates
- Employment Verifications for out of state employment
- Review and approve Notice of Appointments and Attestation of Peace Officer Eligibility
- Review Notice of Separations and Affidavit of Separations
- Voluntary Surrender
- POST Profile Requests
Required Certificates
The Commission, through the POST Professional Certificates Unit, awards the Proof of Eligibility and/or Basic Certificate to all eligible peace officers as required pursuant to Penal Code Section 13510.1.
- Proof of Eligibility – All peace officers who do not currently possess or are not eligible to possess a Basic Certificate are required to obtain a Proof of Eligibility (POE) within 10 days of appointment to a specified peace officer classification. The POE is required for specified peace officers employed by both POST-participating and non-POST-participating agencies.
- Basic Certificate – Any full-time peace officer employed by a POST-participating agency who successfully completes the appropriate basic course requirement for their classification and successfully completes their agency’s probationary period of not less than 12 months is eligible for the Basic Certificate.
POST Professional Certificates - Peace Officers, Public Safety Dispatchers, Records Supervisors
The POST Professional Certificate Program fosters education, training, and professionalism in law enforcement; raises the level of competence of law enforcement officers; and fosters cooperation between the Commission, its clients, and individuals.
The POST Professional Certificates Unit is responsible for the issuance of professional certificates comprised of the Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, Management, Executive, Reserve Officer, Public Safety Dispatcher, and Records Supervisor certificates.
All regulatory requirements for certificates issued to public safety dispatchers and records supervisors are specified in Commission Regulation 1011.
All regulatory requirements for peace officer certificates are specified in Commission Regulation 1202.
Background Inquiries
Prior to January 1, 2023, the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) was only authorized to cancel a certificate that was awarded in error or obtained through misrepresentation or fraud. The Commission was otherwise prohibited from canceling or revoking a certificate that had been properly issued. Additionally, POST did not maintain any disciplinary records for California peace officers.
As of January 1, 2023, POST is required to provide background investigators with information regarding reasons a California peace officer separated from previous employment. Additionally, should a potential employing agency inquire, POST is required to provide background investigators with information regarding allegations of serious misconduct against a current or former California peace officer, if available. POST does not retain records of disciplinary matters adjudicated at the agency level. POST only maintains information regarding serious misconduct as defined by Commission Regulation 1205. Individuals appointing law enforcement officers should inquire directly with previous employing agencies about disciplinary records.
For all inquiries related to peace officer certification status, employment verification, POST Profiles, reasons for separation from employment, or documentation regarding allegations of serious misconduct, please submit a Background Investigation Request using the GovQA portal
Employment Verification
Information on employment status confirmation and certificate status for out-of-state employment please submit an Employment Verification Request using the GovQA portal.
Notice of Appointment and Attestation of Peace Officer Eligibility
The Notice of Appointment/Termination (2-114), was deactivated on January 1, 2023. Employment transactions shall be completed using the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
An Attestation of Peace Officer Eligibility (2-356), shall be submitted via EDI when appointing a new peace officer to the agency roster, regardless of whether the peace officer is a lateral or academy graduate.
Notice of Separation/ Affidavit of Separation
An Affidavit of Separation (2-357), shall be submitted via EDI upon a peace officer’s separation from employment.
Voluntary Surrender
Senate Bill 2, passed by 2022 legislature, allows a peace officer to voluntarily relinquish their certification at any time and for any reason. If an officer voluntarily relinquishes their certification, any adjudicative procedures immediately cease. A peace officer who voluntarily relinquishes their certification under Cal. Pen. Code § 13510.8 shall have the same effect as a revocation and cannot be reactivated. The officer may not thereafter be certified as a peace officer in the State of California. Officers who choose to voluntarily surrender their certification may do so by submitting the Voluntary Surrender of a Peace Officer Certification, POST Form 2-358, with their original Certificates to the Certification Bureau.
POST Profiles
For individuals requesting an official copy of their own POST Profile, submit a POST Profile Request (2-126), through the GovQA portal.
For third parties requesting a copy of an officer’s POST profile, submit a POST Profile Request (2-126) and a waiver signed by the peace officer authorizing release of their POST profile through the GovQA portal.
Training
POST has recorded a series of training videos focused on providing participants with the necessary and relevant information to comply with the legislative requirements of Senate Bill 2.