Specialized Investigators’ Basic Course Waiver Process

Out-of-state or federal criminal investigator applicants may meet California's Specialized Investigators’ Basic Course training requirement by completing the Specialized Investigators’ Basic Course Waiver process. The Specialized Investigators’ Basic Course (SIBC) is the training requirement for welfare fraud investigators/inspectors, and designated state and county criminal investigators identified in the Penal Code. Each application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Not all federal officers or FLETC-trained applicants will be accepted for the waiver process.

Questions regarding the SIBCW process may be directed to the BCW Unit at (916) 227-3915 or bcw@post.ca.gov. Please note, the minimum qualifications to apply for a SIBCW increased on January 1, 2026. Applicants may review the qualification changes here.

Qualifications & Documentation

The Specialized Investigators' Basic Course Waiver (SIBCW) process is a four-step process that evaluates prior law enforcement training, education, and experience, and tests skill level. These steps must be completed in the order shown. There are fees for Steps 1 and 3.

Minimum Qualifications to Apply:

  • A basic investigative course similar in content to the SIBC, or a federal agency general or investigative basic course (acceptable basic courses are determined by POST staff)
  • At least 591 hours of investigative or general law enforcement training (including basic course)
  • At least two year of continuous full-time out-of-state or federal investigative experience with one agency, or two years of general law enforcement experience with one agency after the completion of basic training (acceptable investigative experience must be comparable to California's investigative law enforcement agencies; acceptance is determined by POST staff)
  • No more than a six year break from the applicant's last peace officer employment before the date of the application
  • Attestation that the applicant is leaving/has left their previous law enforcement employer(s) in good standing
  • The legislatively mandated training subjects included in the SIBC - applicant will attest to having completed most/all of these subjects within the online application

The applicant will need to gather all of the following documents in preparation for their application:

  1. Academy completion certificate or verification letter from academy
  2. Academy hourly/subject breakdown schedule, course syllabus, or summaries
  3. Employment verification letter
  4. Job classification/description document
    •   This is an official job posting or Human Resources document that lists duties, responsibilities, and minimum qualifications; it should come from the same agency that writes the employment verification letter
  5. State/or agency in-service training profile (optional, but strongly encouraged)
  6. Additional course completion documents or certifications (optional, but strongly encouraged)
  7. College transcripts (optional)

There is a file size limit in the online application, so if one of the documents is too large to be submitted with the application, please contact us at bcw@post.ca.gov and we’ll provide instructions to move forward.

Process

Step 1: Application/Self-Assessment

An applicant is encouraged to review the Specialized Investigators' Basic Course Waiver Application Overview & Instructions (pdf) prior to applying.

  1. After creating a POST PASS Account, submit application, documents, and evaluation fee electronically.
  2. POST staff will review the initial application and email the applicant if anything is missing.

Step 2: POST Training Evaluation

  1. Once all application documents are received, POST will conduct a training evaluation.
  2. If any training deficiencies are identified, the applicant will receive a letter to complete additional training. They have 6 months to complete this and provide proof of completed training to POST staff.

Step 3: Basic Course Waiver (BCW) Assessment Process

  1. Once above training items are completed, the applicant will receive a letter to attend the 161-hour Requalification Course in person in California. They have 6 months to complete the course and can be sponsored through the course as a trainee if the hiring agency is on board. All BCW applicants must attend the course unless they meet the test-only criteria listed in Commission Regulation 1005(a)(1)(C)(2). A list of available Requalification Courses can be found in the POST Course Catalog.(external link)
  2. Upon passing the Requalification course, the applicant must submit their Requalification Course certificate to POST staff.

Step 4: Waiver Issuance

  1. The Basic Course Waiver is issued to the applicant via email 1-2 weeks after the Requalification course certificate is provided to POST. The Waiver is valid for three years.