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Becoming a Vermont Law Enforcement Officer

To become a law enforcement officer in Vermont, you first need to be hired by a local agency. Each agency has its own hiring requirements, so it's important to choose one that aligns with your values and lifestyle. After meeting the agency's requirements, you and the agency head will decide on your area of focus in law enforcement. Then, you can enroll in one of the two basic certification programs (Level II or Level III) at the Vermont Police Academy. Both programs require you to pass an entrance test to gain admission. Your agency will help you register for this test before you can attend a Level II or Level III program. Information regarding pathways to certification is located below the entrance standards portion of this page.

For more details on advanced training options, such as in-service, canine, and DRE programs, please visit our training page.

Entrance Standards

All candidates sponsored by a law enforcement agency must meet the following minimum standards to enter the Vermont Police Academy:

  1. Age

    Candidates must be at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of application and must possess a valid driver’s license.

  2. Education

    Candidates must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. A copy of the diploma or certificate must be submitted with the registration form. If you do not have a high school diploma or GED, but have received schooling from home, a boarding school, out of the country, or comparable education; reach out to the Academy for further guidance.

  3. Medical Examination

    Candidates must undergo a comprehensive medical exam by a Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Physician’s Assistant (PA) or an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). If this examination was done by a PA, a supervising physician MUST sign this form. The medical exam must be conducted no more than six (6) months prior to the date of entry and must confirm that the candidate is physically fit for rigorous training.

  4. Written Examination

    Candidates must pass the Vermont Police Academy entrance exam to be accepted into basic training. Note: As of 2021, the written entrance test has been suspended until a new test is selected.

  5. Physical Fitness Test

    PT testing is offered monthly at the Academy, and anyone may sign up to assess their performance. However, all potential recruits for the Level III Basic must attend and pass the PT test held at the Academy. There are three (3) sessions available, only one must be attended and successfully completed.
    Currently, candidates must rank in the 40th percentile or better for age and gender based on standards set by the Texas DPS Fitness Institute. For more information on physical training standards, please click here.

  6. Psychological Testing

    Candidates must undergo a psychological evaluation approved by the Executive Director. The MMPI 3 psychological evaluation is offered monthly at the Academy. The hiring agency will notify their candidates which evaluation they should attend. The hiring agency must provide a written certification confirming the candidate is emotionally suited for law enforcement.

  7. Polygraph and Background Check

    Candidates must pass a thorough background check and polygraph test conducted by their agency within 24 months of entry. Level II officers applying for Level III certification must take a polygraph if they haven’t worked full-time for at least six months.

    Those with felony convictions, certain misdemeanors, or prohibitions on firearm possession will not be considered. The agency must provide documentation confirming the candidate meets these requirements. Candidates will be excluded from training if any of the following issues are found during the polygraph or background check:

    • Domestic assault
    • Sex offenses
    • Victimization of children or vulnerable adults
    • Fraud
    • Violating court orders
    • Any other unbecoming conduct

    Candidates will also be excluded for issues such as drug distribution or being under the influence of illegal substances within the year prior to training.

  8. Fingerprint-based Background Check

    The agency head or designee must submit a Statement of Completion, certifying their candidate for Level III training has been fingerprinted within one (1) year of entry. All fingerprint cards submitted to the FBI shall be routed through the fingerprint section of the Vermont Criminal Information Center (VCIC).

Program Information

Pathways To Becoming Certified

Level II Basic Training – Limited Scope of Authority

To obtain a Level I or II certification, one must successfully complete a 3-phase process. The Council has stipulated they must attend a minimum 80-hour academy (Phase One). Upon successful completion of Phase One, they must take a minimum 50 hours of additional training consisting of required and elective courses (Phase Two) and 80 hours in a Field Training and Evaluation Program with a Council certified Field Training Officer. 20 VSA§ 2358 - Minimum Training Standards Statute

The Vermont Police Academy conducts three level II commuter basic training classes each year. The course is conducted in an environment consisting of both police discipline and academics, designed to prepare an individual for a career in policing.

Rule 20: Mandatory Annual In-service Training - To maintain their certification, Level I and II officers must have a minimum of 30 hours of training each year.

Level III Basic Training – Full Scope of Authority

To obtain Level III certification, individuals attend a comprehensive residential Basic Training Academy for 17 weeks. In addition, individual police agencies may have a pre- and/or post-basic training program.

The Vermont Police Academy conducts two level III basic training classes each year. The course is conducted in an environment consisting of both police discipline and academics, designed to prepare an individual for a career in policing.

Level III Certification Curriculum Summary

 Rule 20: Mandatory Annual In-service Training - To maintain their certification, Level I and II officers must have a minimum of 30 hours of training each year.

 

Level III by OOJ Waiver

To obtain Level III certification by OOJ waiver, individuals must be fully certified in another jurisdiction, complete a training program that is comparable in content to the Vermont Police Academy, and successfully completed all FTO requirements. The sponsoring agency will submit the application for the candidate.  The Level III by waiver process requires academy approval and approval by the waiver subcommittee.

 Rule 20: Mandatory Annual In-service Training - To maintain their certification, Level I and II officers must have a minimum of 30 hours of training each year.

Recertification Requests 

Any Level II or Ill law enforcement officer who has not been employed as a Level Ill law enforcement officer in Vermont or as a training coordinator for the Vermont Police Academy for a period of more than three (3) consecutive years must submit the form below to the Director of Administration and Compliance.

Any level II or III law enforcement officer that has been decertified pursuant to Council rule, has not been employed in law enforcement for a period of three (3) years or less and is eligible for recertification must submit a request for recertification in writing to the Executive Director for review. All requests must include documentation of prior law enforcement experience, what has been done as a background on the candidate, what their talents are in law enforcement, why a recertification is being requested, and how they will be used in the agency.

Annual Waiver and/or Certification Extension Requests 

All requests must be submitted prior to certification expiration date.

  1. Rule 20 extension requests or requests for extensions due to a lapse in service, may be requested by agency heads for any officer did not complete annual training in the calendar year required. This request should include what training is still needed and an expected time frame of completion.
  2. OOJ and Level II extension requests may be requested by agency heads for any officer that did not complete the training requirements for certification in the time allotted.
  3. Canine extension requests may be requested by agency heads for any canine team that did not complete the in-service training or recertification requirements in the time allotted.
  4. Military extension requests may be requested by agency heads for an officer that has been deployed on active military orders for a period of at least six months in a calendar year (a copy of the military orders must accompany the request) and they will not be able to fulfill their annual training requirements. Upon returning to duty the agency must notify the Academy to receive updated training requirements and the officer must requalify with their duty weapon and attend first aid training within thirty days.
  5. Instructor extension requests may be requested by agency heads for any Instructors that did not complete the training requirements for certification in the time allotted.
  6. Waived Requirements – any agency that is requesting a waiver of requirements must submit the request in writing to the Executive Director stating why the waiver is being requested and must include documentation to support the request.