Criminal Justice Admission Requirements

Seminole State's Florida-approved training center for police officer certification has successfully prepared future law enforcement officers since 1969. The success is due, in part, to strict adherence to state requirements and regulations.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Basic Recruit Law Enforcement Academy, applicants must:

  • Be at least 19 years old by the completion of the academy
  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Have no felony convictions
  • Have a valid Florida driver's license
  • Have no misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statements, moral turpitude, and no domestic violence convictions
  • Have not received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States (if applicable)

Admission Procedure

Meet Seminole State College Criminal Justice Training Center eligibility requirements as listed above and view the mandatory Power Point presentation.  

Complete a Seminole State College application for admission and provide all necessary transcripts to the Records Department.

  • Program Codes
    • Law Enforcement = LAW-VC
    • Corrections Officer = CRECT-VC
    • Crossover Corrections to Law Enforcement = COTLE-VC
    • Crossover Law Enforcement to Corrections = LETCO-VC
  • Note for Returning Students
    • Re-admission is necessary if you have not been a student for three consecutive semesters and if you are changing program plans.

Complete the Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT) and obtain the required passing score. Candidates can register by calling 1-877-729-0059 or by going online to www.pearsonvue.com/fdle.  The cost for the CJBAT is $39.  As of July 1, 2022, section 943.12(1)(g), Florida Statue states: "...a person is not required to take the basic skills examination and assessment instrument before entering a law enforcement basic recruit training program if he or she is a veteran as defined in s.101(14) with an honorable discharge or holds an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university." 

  • Test Focus
    • Visual, Reasoning, Language and Memorization Skills
  • Passing Scores
    • A passing score is valid for four years from the date of the test.
  • Study Guide


Upon successful completion of the CJBAT, please request an application for the basic recruit academy you wish to attend by contacting The Center for Public Safety at 407.708.2299 or 407.708.2187.  

All applicants must complete and pass a drug test screening process prior to acceptance into the Criminal Justice Institute. 

  • Drug Testing Facility (DFWP 10 panel Drug Screen) 
    • Sanford Centra Care, 4451 W. 1st Street (S.R. 46), Sanford, FL 32771.  Open weekdays 8 a.m.-Midnight and weekends 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
    • Altamonte Centra Care, 440 W. Highway 436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714.  Open weekdays 8 a.m. -  8 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    • Oviedo Centra Care, 8010 Red Bug Road, Oviedo, FL 32765.  Open weekdays 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    • Lake Mary Centra Care, 2948 W. Lake Mary Blvd., Lake Mary, FL 32746. Open weekdays 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
    • Visit the Centra Care website
    • The cost of the drug test is $35

Students must bring the Chain of Command (C.O.C) form provided in the academy application to the drug testing facility. The testing facility will fax/email the results to the Criminal Justice Institute at Seminole State.

Submit to a background check.

  • All applicants will be electronically fingerprinted, and all personal information obtained will be forwarded to FDLE and to the FBI for background verification.
  • The cost of the Live Scan Electronic Fingerprint is $63.34.

For location information, please contact the Criminal Justice Training Center.

Obtain a copy of your Florida Driving Record. The approximate cost is $16. For more information, visit www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/abstract.html.

Additional Steps

Upon completion of Steps 1-7,

  • Each applicant will bring his or her completed application to the Criminal Justice Office in the Center for Public Safety on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus.
  • Approximately 3-4 weeks before the start date, an appointment will be set for an interview with the Training Center Director to determine acceptance into the Academy Program.
  • Students also must pass a physical assessment test.
  • Acceptance into the program is based on 
    • the date the application was submitted
    • the interview
    • the information provided in the application
    • the physical assessment test

Submitted applications are kept on file for one full year.

Note: Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Contact

Criminal Justice Training Center
407.708.2299 or 407.708.2187
Fax: 407.322.1309
Office: PS-100
Campus: Sanford/Lake Mary