GA POST cheat sheet

Georgia POST basic certification is the entry credential that authorizes a sworn officer to exercise police powers in Georgia; it is issued by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST).

To be certified, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen (or meet the limited non-citizen exception for lawful permanent residents), at least 18 years old, a high school graduate or GED holder, and must pass a background investigation, medical exam, drug screen, and psychological evaluation.

The basic mandate course is completed at a POST-certified academy; graduation alone does not confer certification - the agency must submit the certification request and POST must issue the certification.

The POST Act (O.C.G.A. Title 35, Chapter 8) and POST Council rules are the governing authority; council rules, not local policy, define minimum certification standards.

Certification is agency-linked: an officer's certification record identifies the employing agency, and separation must be reported to POST so the record reflects inactive status.

Grounds for denial or revocation include felony conviction, conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, false statements on the application, and failure to meet training or conduct standards.

An applicant with prior Georgia certification who has been separated more than the rule-defined period must satisfy requalification or refresher requirements before being re-certified.

Officers must meet annual training and firearms qualification requirements to remain certified; failure can result in suspension or revocation after notice and an opportunity for a hearing.

POST maintains the official certification database; agencies and officers verify status through POST rather than assuming that a badge or academy diploma proves current certification.

EOT is the pathway by which an officer with qualifying prior training or experience - typically out-of-state, federal, or military law enforcement - can obtain Georgia basic certification without repeating the full basic academy.

Eligibility generally requires prior certified status in another jurisdiction and a defined minimum period of actual sworn service; short-lived or reserve-only service may not qualify.

The applicant must submit documentation such as academy transcripts, certification records, and employment verification; POST evaluates the training against Georgia's basic mandate curriculum.

Where training gaps exist, POST may require completion of a supplemental or refresher course, or a specified portion of the basic academy, before certification.

EOT applicants must still satisfy the same core eligibility standards as any new officer: citizenship, age, education, background, medical, psychological, and drug screening.

Georgia law provides a limited EOT route for honorably discharged military veterans with qualifying military police training and service, subject to POST review of the training record.

Approval of equivalency is discretionary and documented by POST; an agency cannot self-certify an officer based on out-of-state credentials.

The EOT process is distinct from reciprocity for instructors or specialty certifications; each credential has its own application and review.

Georgia POST rules require sworn officers to complete an annual training requirement each calendar year; the current standard is 20 hours of POST-approved training per year.

At least part of the annual requirement must be firearms qualification: officers must qualify with each weapon they are authorized to carry, at least annually, on a POST-approved course.

Training must be documented by the agency and reported to POST; undocumented training does not count toward the annual requirement.

Acceptable hours include POST-certified courses, agency in-service training approved under POST rules, and specified specialty courses; administrative or clerical time does not count.

Officers who are separated from employment or on extended leave may have prorated or deferred requirements; the agency must confirm the applicable rule with POST.

Failure to complete annual training and firearms qualification can lead to certification suspension or revocation after notice and hearing.

Instructors delivering annual training must themselves hold the appropriate POST instructor certification for the subject area.

Agencies should track hours per officer per year and retain records; POST audits and certification actions rely on agency documentation.

Beyond basic certification, POST issues specialty certifications such as instructor, field training officer, and other designated specialties, each with its own prerequisites.

Instructor certification generally requires completion of a POST-approved instructor development course plus demonstrated subject-matter competence and agency sponsorship.

Field training officer (FTO) certification typically requires completion of a POST-approved FTO course and a defined period of sworn service.

Advanced or supervisory certifications may require specified years of service, completed training hours, and supervisory or command experience.

Voluntary certifications are not required to exercise police powers; they document additional competence and may be considered in promotion or assignment decisions.

Specialty certifications can lapse if the underlying training or continuing requirements are not maintained; renewal rules are set by POST Council rule.

Career development includes POST-approved college credit and degree programs; some agencies and POST rules recognize education for advancement.

Agency training units often maintain a training file for each officer listing basic, annual, and specialty certifications with expiration dates.

Georgia POST basic certification is the entry credential that authorizes a sworn officer to exercise police powers in Georgia; it is issued by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST).

To be certified, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen (or meet the limited non-citizen exception for lawful permanent residents), at least 18 years old, a high school graduate or GED holder, and must pass a background investigation, medical exam, drug screen, and psychological evaluation.

The basic mandate course is completed at a POST-certified academy; graduation alone does not confer certification - the agency must submit the certification request and POST must issue the certification.

The POST Act (O.C.G.A. Title 35, Chapter 8) and POST Council rules are the governing authority; council rules, not local policy, define minimum certification standards.

Certification is agency-linked: an officer's certification record identifies the employing agency, and separation must be reported to POST so the record reflects inactive status.

Grounds for denial or revocation include felony conviction, conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, false statements on the application, and failure to meet training or conduct standards.

An applicant with prior Georgia certification who has been separated more than the rule-defined period must satisfy requalification or refresher requirements before being re-certified.

Officers must meet annual training and firearms qualification requirements to remain certified; failure can result in suspension or revocation after notice and an opportunity for a hearing.

POST maintains the official certification database; agencies and officers verify status through POST rather than assuming that a badge or academy diploma proves current certification.

EOT is the pathway by which an officer with qualifying prior training or experience - typically out-of-state, federal, or military law enforcement - can obtain Georgia basic certification without repeating the full basic academy.

Eligibility generally requires prior certified status in another jurisdiction and a defined minimum period of actual sworn service; short-lived or reserve-only service may not qualify.

The applicant must submit documentation such as academy transcripts, certification records, and employment verification; POST evaluates the training against Georgia's basic mandate curriculum.

Where training gaps exist, POST may require completion of a supplemental or refresher course, or a specified portion of the basic academy, before certification.

EOT applicants must still satisfy the same core eligibility standards as any new officer: citizenship, age, education, background, medical, psychological, and drug screening.

Georgia law provides a limited EOT route for honorably discharged military veterans with qualifying military police training and service, subject to POST review of the training record.

Approval of equivalency is discretionary and documented by POST; an agency cannot self-certify an officer based on out-of-state credentials.

The EOT process is distinct from reciprocity for instructors or specialty certifications; each credential has its own application and review.

Georgia POST rules require sworn officers to complete an annual training requirement each calendar year; the current standard is 20 hours of POST-approved training per year.

At least part of the annual requirement must be firearms qualification: officers must qualify with each weapon they are authorized to carry, at least annually, on a POST-approved course.

Training must be documented by the agency and reported to POST; undocumented training does not count toward the annual requirement.

Acceptable hours include POST-certified courses, agency in-service training approved under POST rules, and specified specialty courses; administrative or clerical time does not count.

Officers who are separated from employment or on extended leave may have prorated or deferred requirements; the agency must confirm the applicable rule with POST.

Failure to complete annual training and firearms qualification can lead to certification suspension or revocation after notice and hearing.

Instructors delivering annual training must themselves hold the appropriate POST instructor certification for the subject area.

Agencies should track hours per officer per year and retain records; POST audits and certification actions rely on agency documentation.

Beyond basic certification, POST issues specialty certifications such as instructor, field training officer, and other designated specialties, each with its own prerequisites.

Instructor certification generally requires completion of a POST-approved instructor development course plus demonstrated subject-matter competence and agency sponsorship.

Field training officer (FTO) certification typically requires completion of a POST-approved FTO course and a defined period of sworn service.

Advanced or supervisory certifications may require specified years of service, completed training hours, and supervisory or command experience.

Voluntary certifications are not required to exercise police powers; they document additional competence and may be considered in promotion or assignment decisions.

Specialty certifications can lapse if the underlying training or continuing requirements are not maintained; renewal rules are set by POST Council rule.

Career development includes POST-approved college credit and degree programs; some agencies and POST rules recognize education for advancement.

Agency training units often maintain a training file for each officer listing basic, annual, and specialty certifications with expiration dates.