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Program Information

Dates for Upcoming Classes

Level I and II

2024 Dates:

  • September 9 -20, 2024
    • Friday, August 16, 2024, Deadline for Registration, Certificate of Compliance Deadline, and Medical Packet
    • Friday, August 30, 2024, Firearms Pre-Academy Proficiency Checklist Deadline

2025 Dates:

  • March 10 - March 21, 2025
    • Friday, February 14, 2025, Deadline for Registration, Certificate of Compliance Deadline, and Medical Packet 
    • Friday, February 28, 2028, Firearms Pre-Academy Proficiency Checklist Deadline
  • June 09 - June 20, 2025
    • Friday, May 23, 2025, Deadline for Registration, Certificate of Compliance Deadline, and Medical Packet
    • Friday, May 30, 2025 Firearms Pre-Academy Proficiency Checklist Deadline
  • September 08 - 19, 2025
    • Friday, August 15, 2025, Deadline for Registration, Certificate of Compliance Deadline, and Medical Packet
    • Friday, August 29, 2025, Firearms Pre-Academy Proficiency Checklist Deadline

 Level III – Dates set for the Level III are tentative and subject to change prior to Day 1

2025 Dates

  • Monday, February 3, 2025 – Friday, May 30, 2025 (119th Class)
    • 119th PT Test (attend and pass one of three tests offered)
      • Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 0830
      • Wednesday, December 30, 2024 at 0830
      • Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 0830
    • All incoming recruits who pass must then attend orientation at the Academy on January 10, 2025, at 0830 hours
    • Day one of the 119th Basic Training course will be February 3, 2025, at 0800
  • Monday, August 4, 2025 – Wednesday, November 26, 2025 (120th Class)
    • 120th PT Test (attend and pass one of three tests offered)

How to Become Vermont Law Enforcement

To become a Vermont Law Enforcement officer, one must first be employed with a Vermont law enforcement agency. Each agency in Vermont has different hiring requirements, it will be up to each candidate to choose an agency that fits their values and lifestyle.

After a candidate has completed agency employment requirements, and the candidate and agency head have determined which scope of law enforcement the candidate will be practicing, the candidate will then enroll in one of the two basic certification programs (Level II or Level III) at the Vermont Police Academy.

Both certification programs require entrance testing to gain entry into the Vermont Police Academy.

A candidate’s law enforcement agency will enroll their candidate in entrance testing prior to registration and attendance to a Level II or Level III certification program.

For information on advanced or specialized training please see our training page for in-service, canine, DRE, and other programs as listed.

Entrance Standards 

All agency-sponsored candidates seeking entry to the Police Academy for basic training courses for police officers shall meet the minimum standards as set forth below:

The following minimum entry standards for the Vermont Police Academy have been adopted by the Vermont Criminal Justice Council.

Age
Candidate must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of application for acceptance into basic training.

Education
At the time of application, each candidate must - as a minimum standard - be a high school graduate or possess a high school equivalency diploma (G.E.D. certificate). A copy must be provided with registration form.

Medical Examination
 A comprehensive medical examination (conducted no more than six (6) months prior to the date of entry). The examination - to be performed by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, APRN or RN - is to reflect that the candidate is free of any disease or disability which would interfere with the candidate’s physical performance in basic training. The report from a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, APRN or RN must state that the candidate is physically capable of undergoing a rigorous physical exercise program.

Written Examination

Each candidate for the Vermont Police Academy must achieve a passing score on the current Vermont Police Academy entrance examination as a prerequisite to acceptance into basic training. The content of the examination and the passing score for the examination shall be approved by the Council. This examination shall be administered in accordance with a policy approved by the Executive Director. Please Note:
In 2021, the Vermont Criminal Justice Council voted to suspend the current written entrance test, until a new test is selected the Council will not require the administration of the written entrance test exam for a candidate’s admission to any Vermont Police Academy training. The written entrance test when selected will be scheduled for monthly entrance testing dates.

Physical Fitness Assessment
Each candidate for the Vermont Police Academy must satisfactorily complete a physical fitness test and attain a minimum level of fitness as prescribed by the Council, prior to entry to any basic training course. The VCJC provides monthly entrance testing to include the written examination and the physical fitness assessment.

Psychological Testing
Each candidate’s prospective department must have submitted to the Council documentation confirming the candidate has been psychologically evaluated through the use of a reliable and valid assessment procedure, approved by the Executive Director, and a written certification that, in the reasonable opinion of the hiring agency, the candidate is presently emotionally suited for law enforcement work.

Background and Character Check
Each candidate must successfully undergo a thorough, comprehensive background and character check conducted by the candidate’s prospective agency. Those individuals convicted of any felony, a misdemeanor involving injury to another, or under any order prohibiting the possession of a firearm will not be considered. Academy staff must have documentation confirming the candidate successfully meets this requirement. The background investigation shall include the submission of the candidate’s fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to ascertain if a criminal history record exists. All fingerprint cards submitted to the FBI shall be routed through the fingerprint section of the Vermont Criminal Information Center (VCIC).

The background investigation will include a polygraph examination (the polygraph must have been administered on behalf of the sponsoring agency or another Vermont police agency within one year of entry to basic training programs for law enforcement certification.) A candidate will be excluded from attending basic training if any of the following conduct is identified during a polygraph examination or during the background and character check:

  1. Domestic assault and/or related conduct (stalking, APO violations);
  2. Sex offenses;
  3. Victimizing children or vulnerable adults;
  4. Fraud or related offenses involving an attempt to deceive for financial gain;
  5. Violation of court orders; or
  6. Any other conduct that would be deemed unbecoming of a police professional.

A candidate will be excluded from basic training if any of the previous conduct is identified during the background and character check.

A candidate may be excluded from basic training if any of the following conduct is identified during a polygraph examination or during the background and character check:

  1. Distribution of controlled substances;
  2. Under the influence of controlled substances, not lawfully possessed, within a year prior to the proposed training session entry date.

 

Polygraph

The agency head or designee of a recruit applicant must submit a Statement of Completion, certifying their candidate for Level III training has been fingerprinted within one (1) year of entry and has had a polygraph examination within twenty-four (24) months of entry.

Candidates for Level III training who have been previously certified as Level II officers for a period of more than three years are required to take a polygraph examination and undergo a fingerprint-based background check prior to being admitted to Level III training. 

If an officer with Level II certification has been working full time (at least 40 hours per week for at least six months) prior to the start of the Level III certification program they are applying for admittance into, no polygraph examination is required, provided the candidate received a polygraph examination prior to employment.

If an officer with Level II certification has been working part time (less than 40 hours per week for at least six months) prior to the start of the Level III certification program they are applying for admittance into, a polygraph examination is required if more than twenty-four (24) months has elapsed prior to admittance.

 

Physical Testing
Recruits must meet physical training requirements to gain entrance to the Level III Academy. Currently, those gaining admission to basic training must enter at the 40th percentile, or better, of standards for age and gender developed by the Texas DPS Fitness Institute. Click here to learn more about Physical Training Standards.

Police Academy Entrance Tests

Practice Assessments
The Police Academy conducts entrance testing each month for agency-sponsored candidates (there are no tuition students for the state of Vermont, they must be agency sponsored) to receive the written entrance examination and the MMPI-3 (the psychological component of the academy entry requirements). During this testing period the Academy also offers candidates an opportunity to participate in the physical fitness assessment. This PT assessment is the same PT test that is required prior to entry to a Level III academy class.

The monthly PT assessment allows candidates and agencies an opportunity to determine passing levels and any remediation that may be required prior to the Level III Orientation physical testing that is scheduled for three specific dates. These scheduled PT tests are listed e under each Level III class in the course description.

Written Entrance Exam
Each candidate for the Vermont Police Academy must achieve a passing score on the current Vermont Police Academy entrance examination as a prerequisite to acceptance into basic training. The content of the examination and the passing score for the examination shall be approved by the Council. This examination shall be administered in accordance with a policy approved by the Executive Director. Please Note:
In 2021, the Vermont Criminal Justice Council voted to suspend the current written entrance test, until a new test is selected the Council will not require the administration of the written entrance test exam for a candidate’s admission to any Vermont Police Academy training. The written entrance test when selected will be scheduled for monthly entrance testing dates.

MMPI-3

Agencies that do not conduct their own psychological evaluation of a candidate prior to entry may send them to the VCJC monthly entrance test to receive an MMPI-3.

When registering the applicant be sure to include the applicants name, date of birth, and email address. The test will be taken digitally at the academy. Information will go out to the candidate on the day of testing to the email provided. If the candidate does not receive this link or if the candidate clicks on the link prior to being instructed, the test cannot occur.

PT test
The PT evaluation consists of the 500-meter row for time. All candidates taking this evaluation will need to do so in the presence of a certified AED/CPR tester. (The damper setting on the rower is set to 5 for each of the evaluations). The candidate will then participate in a 1.5-mile run. The two scores will be averaged for a final standard assessment score.

Level I and II Basic Training

Level I and II Certification – Limited Scope: A 3 Phase Process.

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 60 hours in a Field Training and Evaluation Program with a Council certified Field Training Officer. 20 VSA§ 2358 - Minimum Training Standards Statute

Letter to incoming Level II Applicants

Download the Level I and II Certification Paperwork. 
(Not intended for individuals - your hiring agency will provide you with required paperwork.)

Email Dan Pennington or call 802-483-2744 with questions concerning this process.

Level I and II Certification Course description: This course will begin the applicant’s journey towards certification as a police officer by the Vermont Criminal Justice Council. Upon successful completion, the participant will be granted a provisional certification and have law enforcement authority only in the presence of a fully certified police officer until successful completion of Phase Two and Three. Details of this process are covered by Council Rules 15-18.  

  • Level I and II Police Officer Basic Training - Phase One Schedule
  • No person, unless exempted by statute, shall exercise law enforcement powers as a Level I or II law enforcement officer in any municipal, county or state law enforcement agency before satisfactorily completing a basic training course consisting of a minimum number of hours of training (Phase I).
  • Length of Course: 10 days (80 hours)
  • Course hours: 0730 – 1600 hrs.
  • Location: Vermont Police Academy
  • Level I and II Police Officer Basic Training -Phase Two
    • Upon successful completion of the Academy Course described above, the Level I or II law enforcement officer will be issued a provisional 12-month certification that grants law enforcement authority but only under the direct supervision and control of a fully certified officer.
    • During the 12-month period following the provisional certification, the officer must enroll in a program of core and elective courses approved by the sponsoring law enforcement agency totaling a minimum number of hours (Phase Two) as established by the Council, but no fewer than fifty (50) hours. These courses may be offered at the Academy and at various field locations around the state.
  • Level I and II Police Officer Basic Training - Phase Three
    • During the same 12-month period as stated above the officer must satisfactorily complete a Council certified Field Training and Evaluation Program. This can be accomplished concurrently with the completion of Phase Two training and must include a minimum number of hours as established by the Council, but no fewer than sixty (60) hours, on performance of pertinent tasks observed and evaluated by a Council certified Field Training Officer who attests to successful completion of those tasks.
    • FTEP-1 Daily Observation Reports
    • FTEP-2 task check sheets
    • FTEP-3 final recommendations
    • Signatures by Agency Head, Field Training Officers, and Provisional Officer are required on both FTEP-2 and FTEP-3 forms.
    • Upon successful completion of all phases of training, the Executive Director shall issue a Level I or II Officer certification to replace the provisional 12-month certification, thereby granting law enforcement authority limited to the provisions of their Level I or II status. [T20 VSA 2358 (c) (3)]

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.

Paperwork required for registration to a residential academy class can be found here:

To submit Level III packets or any required paperwork email Jennifer Hier

For questions about Level III Basic Training email Kenneth Hawkins

Level III Certification Course Description:

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.

  • Students must maintain acceptable academic standards to remain in the program (minimum 70% average and maximum of four failures on graded assignments/practicals or competencies).
  • Athletics and physical training are mandatory and are as much a part of the training program as academics.
  • Classes run from Monday through Friday.
  • During the week students are required to remain at the Academy and adhere to Academy rules and regulations.
  • Upon satisfactory completion of the program students will be certified or certifiable by the Vermont Criminal Justice Council.

 

119th Basic Training Class for Police Professionals (Level III Certification)

  • A seat for attendance will not be reserved until all paperwork processes are completed including the registration sheet, statement of background completion and medical / examination have been received by the academy.  Once received and reviewed for completeness, you will be notified of your reserved seat.
  • PT testing is offered monthly at the Academy, and anyone may sign up to assess their performance.
  • However, all potential recruits for the 119th Basic must attend and pass the PT test held at the Academy. There are three (3) sessions available, only one has to be attended and successfully completed. the dates are:
    • Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 0830
    • Wednesday, December 30, 2024 at 0830
    • Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 0830
  • All incoming recruits who pass must then attend orientation at the Academy on January 10, 2025, at 0830 hours
  • Day one of the 119th Basic Training course will be February 3, 2025, at 0800
  • 119th Deadlines
  • Level III registration sheet for the 119th Basic Training Course
  • Statement of Completion for the 119th Basic Training Course
  • Medical History and Physical Examination
    • (Pages 1 - 12 & 18 to be completed by the candidate, 13 - 17 to be completed by a physician). 
    • Medicals must be completed no more than 6 months prior to being due.
    • Anything older than 6 months will not be accepted.

OOJ – Lateral Transfer for Vermont Level III Certification

A police agency seeking to hire an individual who is certified as a law enforcement officer in another jurisdiction may apply for a certification transfer request, exempting the applicant from Basic Training. Upon successful completion of the process, the applicant receives Level III certification by waiver and a full scope of enforcement authority under Vermont law.

To apply for a Vermont Level III certification by waiver an applicant’s Vermont employer must complete the following:

  1. Submit employment notification form and Transfer of Certification Request
  2. Register applicant for VCJC Entrance Testing. After successful completion of these requirements:
  3. Submit OOJ Registration Form with the following:
    1. Statement of completion of background investigations
    2. HS Diploma or GED and/or transcripts
    3. Employee resume
    4. Previous training records to include basic academy transcripts and in-service training.
    5. Memo stating that the employee successfully completed an FTO program in their prior out-of-state agency.
    6. Memo of support from the Vermont agency head employer.
    7. Medical packet

Please note: OOJ waiver courses are offered based on demand. Some may choose to enroll their applicant in the Level II certification process to begin their training process sooner.

 After a review of the applicant’s packet by the VCJC waiver subcommittee a recommendation will be made to the Council stating whether they will be accepted and what the training prescription will be for the applicant.

Waiver Forms

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.

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.