How to Apply



Valencia College's School of Public Safety provides you the education and training you need to start a rewarding career in law enforcement, corrections, or firefighting. 

Criminal Justice Institute Programs

Law Enforcement OfficerCrossover: Corrections to Law EnforcementCorrectional OfficerEquivalency of Training

Fire Rescue Institute Programs

Fire Science Academy TrackFirefighter Minimum Standards

 

Criminal Justice Institute
Law Enforcement, Correctional Officer, and Crossover (CO to LEO)

1. Attend an Information Session

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  • Attire: Business casual attire required (No Jeans, T-shirts, Shorts and/or Sneakers). Candidates will be refused entrance to information session if inappropriately dressed. Please wear dress slacks or skirts, button-down shirts or blouse.
  • Location: School of Public Safety Auditorium, 8600 Valencia College Lane, Orlando, FL 32825
  • Check-in is from 1:00pm - 1:55pm. The session begins promptly at 2:00p.m. If you arrive after 2:00p.m., you will not be admitted. 
  • If you have already taken the CJBAT or meet the CJBAT exemption requirement (see note below) before attending the information session, please bring a copy of the PASSING CJBAT test score or the documents for exemption to the information session.

2. Take the Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT) unless otherwise exempt by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission pursuant to Section 943.17, F.S.

  • The CJBAT is an FDLE required test and students must have a ‘PASS’ result to continue with the application process. When registering for the exam, please choose the correct BAT for the academy you will be applying for.

    • Law Enforcement Academy: CJBATLEO
    • Corrections Academy: CJBATCO

  • Test results are available immediately after the test has been completed.
  • The CJBAT is valid for 4 years from the date taken.

For more information about the CJBAT and how to register, please visit: https://home.pearsonvue.com/fdle

***Please note, if you have an associates degree or higher, and/or are a veteran of the U.S. military, you are exempt from taking the CJBAT for Law Enforcement (ONLY). You MUST provide the following to meet the exemption requirement:

  • A copy of BOTH the college degree (diploma) and an unofficial copy of the college transcripts with the date the degree was conferred.
  • Copy of Military DD214 with ONLY an honorable discharge status.

3. Submit a Valencia College Application

  • If you are not an active student at Valencia College, apply to Valencia College via the online admissions application.
    Note: Please select Public Safety for the application type. There is a $35 application fee.
  • Select Vocational Credit Certificate (Public Safety)
  • Select your program:
    • Law Enforcement Officer
    • Crossover: Corrections to Law Enforcement
    • Correctional Officer

4. Submit a Criminal Justice Institute Academy Application

  • Once the above steps are successfully completed, applicants will receive access to the online CJI application.
  • Candidates with any known arrest, or who have been cited for at least three moving traffic citations in the last five years must also be interviewed by the director, or designated academy coordinator. To schedule an interview, please call (407) 582-8200. Bring all supporting documentation to the interview. Candidates should be professionally dressed for the interview performed.
  • When the online Criminal Justice application has been submitted, please contact the following Program Support Specialist to confirm submission.

  • Once all application requirements have been meet and approved, you will be placed on the waiting list for the next available academy.
  • Office Location: Valencia College School of Public Safety, 8600 Valencia College Lane, Orlando, FL 32825

5. Take the Physical Assessment Test

  • When you are selected for an academy, you will receive an invitation to participate in the Physical Assessment Test (PAT).
  • Physical Assessment Tests will be administered approximately one (1) month prior to the start of the academy. The physical assessment is only valid for the upcoming academy admissions process.
  • Applicants who pass the test will be offered a seat in the upcoming academy and will receive instruction for the next steps to prepare for the academy.
  • Applicants must schedule an appointment to get fingerprinted with an assigned third party vendor ($80.00 processing fee).
  • Applicants who fail the test will remain on the waiting list and may be invited to re-take the Physical Assessment for the following academy.
  • All applicants must provide proof of medical insurance prior to taking the Physical Assessment.

6. Registration and Payment of Tuition

7. Go to Class

Equivalency of Training Program
(Florida Law Enforcement Certification)

  1. Confirm eligibility for an exemption from the basic training requirements through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
  2. Submit a receipt of an approved Equivalency of Training CJSTC Form 76
    Please contact Teri Scutero, tsikes@valenciacollege.edu, for information on submission of form CJSTC-76.
  3. Submit a Criminal Justice Equivalency of Training Application
    Once the above steps are completed successfully, applicants must upload documents during the application process. At the commencement of the EOT program, a fingerprint background check will be conducted.
  4. Receive notification from the Criminal Justice Institute on your application status.
  5. Register and complete tuition payment via a secured link by creating a new account if you have not taken any courses through Continuing Education. Please note that this is NOT your ATLAS login credentials.
  6. Upon completing registration, you will receive an email with your Valencia ID# within 1 business day. Please set up your Atlas account, if you have not already done so at atlas.valenciacollege.edu and click on “Sign Up for an Account”. Once in Atlas, click on the courses tab, then under My Courses “Canvas” to access your course. If you have any course access issues, please email tsikes@valenciacollege.edu 
  7. Purchase textbooks and start studying immediately.
  8. Go to Class

This Equivalency of Training class is not like a normal academy class.  The schedule has been abbreviated down so much, that it only allows for testing and prepping for the state exam.  Once registered, you will have immediate access to the entire curriculum for study.

Fire Rescue Institute

Firefighter Minimum Standards Course 

1. Attend Information Session

Register Now

2. Submit a Valencia College Application

  • If you are not an active student at Valencia College, apply to Valencia College via the online admissions application.
    Note: Please select Public Safety for the application type. There is a $35 application fee.

3. Submit a Fire Rescue Institute Firefighter Minimum Standards Application

  • Once candidates complete the above steps, they will receive an invitation to apply email with instructions. 
  • Candidates with any known arrest, or who have been cited for at least three moving traffic citations in the last five years must also be interviewed by the director, or designated academy coordinator. To schedule an interview, please call (407) 582-8223. Bring all supporting documentation to the interview. Candidates should dress professionally for the interview process.
  • Must include copy of EMT or Paramedic certificate of completion, National Registry or state licensure
  • Must include medical exam form (DFS-K4-1022), notarized tobacco affidavit, and ALL required documents
  • Applicants must schedule an appointment to get fingerprinted with an assigned third party vendor ($80.00 processing fee). 

4. Receive Notification from the Fire Rescue Institute of selection into an upcoming academy class.

  • Once selected for an upcoming academy class, you will receive an invitation to participate in the Fit-for-Fire Physical Assessment.

5. Take the Fit-For-Fire Physical Assessment 

  • Fit-For-Fire Physical Assessment Test will be administered approximately one (1) month prior to the start of your particular academy. The assessment test is only good for the academy class that is in the current registration process.
  • All applicants must provide proof of medical insurance prior to taking the Physical Assessment.
  • All applicants will be advised of their status in the selection process after all applicants have completed the Fit-for-Fire assessment.

6. Registration and Payment of Tuition

7. Go to Class

 

Fire Science Academy Track

(2-Year limited access degree program)

1. Attend Information Session

Register Now

2. Submit a Valencia College Application

  • If you are not an active student at Valencia College, apply to Valencia College via the online admissions application.
    Note: Please select Public Safety for the application type. There is a $35 application fee.

3. Submit a Fire Rescue Institute Fire Science Academy Track Application

  • Once candidates complete the above steps, they will receive an invitation to apply email with instructions. 
  • Candidates with any known arrest, or who have been cited for at least three moving traffic citations in the last five years must also be interviewed by the director, or designated academy coordinator. To schedule an interview, please call (407) 582-8230. Bring all supporting documentation to the interview. Candidates should be professionally dressed for the interview performed 

4. Receive Notification from the Fire Rescue Institute

  • If your application makes it to the next phase, you will receive a phone call inviting you to participate in an interview.

5. If selected, Registration, and Payment of Tuition

6. Go to Class