Criminal Justice

Seek employment with any Law Enforcement Agency within the State of Florida

Earning an EOT Certificate enables one to seek employment with any Law Enforcement Agency within the State of Florida. It is also important to note that the Valencia College Criminal Justice Institute directly services the following law enforcement agencies within our service district of Orange and Osceola Counties, Florida:

Orange County

• Apopka Police Department 
• Belle Isle Police Department
• Eatonville Police Department
• Edgewood Police Department
• Maitland Police Department
• Oakland Police Department
• Ocoee Police Department
• Orange County Sheriff’s Office
• Orange County Public Schools Police Department
• Orlando Police Department
• University of Central Florida Police Department
• Windermere Police Department
• Winter Garden Police Department
• Winter Park Police Department

Osceola County

• Kissimmee Police Department
• Osceola County Sheriff’s Office
• St. Cloud Police Department

Reimbursement Program

House Bill 3 offers a reimbursement program through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity which will pay for up to $1,000 of equivalency training costs for certified law enforcement officers who relocate to Florida or members of the special operations forces who become full-time law enforcement officers in Florida.

How to Become a Law Enforcement Officer in Florida

The Valencia College Equivalency of Training Academy (EOT) is for out-of-state officers, federal officers, special operations forces, and previously certified Florida officers with a four-year or more break-in-service according to section 943.131(2a), Florida Statutes and Rule 11B-35.009(3) or (4), Florida Administrative Code. The EOT Academy allows a former officer to be exempt from having to complete the full basic recruit academy. It qualifies the officer to sit for the Florida State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE).

You may be eligible for an exemption from the full basic training requirements if you were an officer in another state or with the federal government and meet the following criteria:

• You worked at least one year, full-time as a sworn officer (not to include time spent within the basic recruit academy) in the discipline you are seeking exemption [CJSTC Rule 11B-35.009(1)(g)]
• You received training in that discipline which is comparable to Florida’s full basic recruit curriculum and/or
• You were previously certified in Florida.
• You were a previously sworn Florida officer and meet the following requirements:
  • You were fully certified as an officer in Florida
  • You have at least a four-year break-in-service, but no more than an eight-year break-in-service since your most recent separation from a sworn position in Florida
• You were a member of the special operations forces and meet the following requirements:
  • You worked at least five years as a member of the special operations forces and;
  • You have no more than a four-year break-in-service since separating from the special operations forces.

There can be no more than an 8-year break in employment as an officer. The break in employment is measured from the separation date of the most recent qualifying employment to the time a complete application requesting an exemption from training is submitted to a Criminal Justice Selection Center, such as a commission-certified training school, or criminal justice employing agency.

Once you are approved for an exemption from training, you must demonstrate proficiency in the high liability areas and pass the state certification exam in the same discipline within 1 year of receipt of the approved Exemption from Training CJSTC Form 76.

Suppose you do not complete the training and pass the State Officer Certification Examination within the 1-year time limit, you may apply for another exemption from training. Still, you must be eligible according to Chapter 943.131(2), F.S. at the time of application.

Complete the EOT academy application by locating the "Apply Now" button on the top right corner of this page. 

The 7-day Equivalency of Training Academy consists of approximately 70 onsite hours of law enforcement training. The academy is not intended for basic instruction. The academy is for experienced criminal justice professionals capable of demonstrating proficiency in all FDLE mandated topics as well as the following high liability areas:

• SOCE Preparatory Examinations
• First Aid
• Firearms
• Defensive Tactics
• Law Enforcement Vehicle Operations

Total hours of instruction may vary, and you must pass the Florida State Officer Exam to be certified. Upon successful completion of all four high liability proficiencies, students will be eligible to take the State Examination 3 days after the conclusion of the program. Effective January 2025, students will be able to register and take the State Exam at Valencia College. 

EOT 25-01
February 7 - February 13, 2025
(Accepting Applications; tuition must be recieved by Jan. 24, 2025)

EOT 25-02
May 16 - May 22, 2025
(Accepting Applications; tuition must be recieved by May 2, 2025)

EOT 25-03
July 25 - July 31, 2025
(Accepting Applications; tuition must be recieved by July 11, 2025)

EOT 25-04
December 12 - December 18, 2025
(Accepting Applications; tuition must be recieved by Nov. 28, 2025)

Tuition Fee (Total Cost): $1,095.00 (Includes textbooks and SOCE Exam Prep Testing Access)
***Duty belt, Glock 9mm, and ammunition will be provided for the Firearms Training***