POST Professional Peace Officer Certificates

The Commission on POST issues seven professional certificates to peace officers: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, Management, Executive, Reserve Officer, Specialized Certificate and Coroner Certificate. These certificates are awarded as defined in Commission Regulation 1202. 

Basic Certificate

The Basic Certificate is awarded, as defined in Commission Regulation 1202 to currently full-time peace officers of a POST-participating agency who possess a valid POE, have satisfactorily completed the prerequisite Basic Course requirement, and the employing agency’s probationary period of not less than 12 months.

Intermediate Certificate

The Intermediate Certificate is awarded, as defined in Commission Regulation 1202 to currently employed full-time peace officers of a POST-participating agency who possess a Basic Certificate and who have acquired the specified training and education points and/or college degree and the prescribed years of law enforcement experience.

Advanced Certificate

The Advanced Certificate is awarded, as defined in Commission Regulation 1202 to currently employed full-time peace officers of a POST-participating agency who possess an Intermediate Certificate and who have acquired the specified training and education points and/or college degree and the prescribed years of law enforcement experience.

Supervisory Certificate

The Supervisory Certificate is awarded, as defined in Commission Regulation 1202 to currently employed full-time peace officers of a POST-participating agency who possess or are eligible to possess an Intermediate Certificate, have earned a minimum of 60 semester units at an accredited college, served for a period of at least two years as a permanent first-level supervisor or higher in law enforcement, and have completed the POST Supervisory Course.

Management Certificate

The Management Certificate is awarded, as defined in Commission Regulation 1202 to currently employed full-time peace officers of a POST-participating agency who possess or are eligible to possess an Advanced Certificate, have earned a minimum of 60 semester units at an accredited college, served for a period of at least two years as a permanent middle manager or higher in law enforcement, and have completed the POST Management Course.

Executive Certificate

The Executive Certificate is awarded, as defined in Commission Regulation 1202 to currently employed full-time peace officers of a POST-participating agency who possess or are eligible to possess an Advanced Certificate, have earned a minimum of 60 semester units at an accredited college, served for a period of at least two years as a permanent agency head with their current employing law enforcement agency, and have completed the POST Executive Development Course.

Reserve Officer Certificate

The Reserve (Peace) Officer Certificate is awarded, as defined in Commission Regulation 1202 to currently appointed Level 1 Reserve Officers of a POST-participating agency who possess a valid POE, have completed a POST-certified RBC, and have completed a minimum of 200 hours of general law enforcement experience.

Specialized Certificate

The Specialized Series of Professional Certificates include the Basic through Executive Certificates and completion of the Specialized Investigators Academy.

Coroner Certificate

The Coroner Series of Professional Certificates include the Basic through Executive Certificates and completion of the PC 832 and the Coroner's Death Investigation Course.