NV POST cheat sheet

Nevada POST certifies basic academies; graduates of a certified academy who pass the POST-administered exam are eligible for certification as a peace officer in Nevada.

Core basic-training subject areas include Nevada criminal law and procedure, laws of arrest, search and seizure, use of force, patrol procedures, traffic enforcement and investigation, crime scene management, report writing, and defensive tactics.

Nevada peace officers must complete a POST-approved basic academy before or within the statutory probationary period after appointment, per agency practice and NRS/POST regulation.

Firearms qualification is part of basic training; officers must qualify with duty weapons under POST-approved courses of fire, and qualification must be repeated periodically after certification.

Nevada-specific legal content is mandatory in basic training, including NRS provisions on arrest, detention, searches, domestic violence, DUI, and juvenile procedures.

Basic training includes emergency vehicle operations (EVOC), first aid/CPR, crisis intervention, and de-escalation, plus cultural diversity and community policing components.

Academy performance is documented; failure to meet academic, physical, or firearms standards can result in remediation or dismissal, and records support later certification decisions.

POST sets minimum curriculum hours and learning objectives for basic academies; certified academies must submit course materials and instructor credentials for approval.

Nevada peace officers must complete annual POST-required in-service training to maintain certification; failure to complete required hours is a basis for certification action.

Common mandated in-service topics include use of force (including deadly force and de-escalation), legal updates, firearms qualification, defensive tactics, and emergency vehicle operations.

In-service training is tracked by POST training records; officers and agencies must document completion of required hours and courses each cycle.

POST-approved courses carry course numbers and hours; only approved courses count toward in-service requirements.

Instructors delivering in-service training must meet POST instructor certification or approval requirements for the subject area.

Legislatively mandated topics (e.g., domestic violence, mental health/crisis intervention, bias-free policing) are added periodically and become part of the required in-service catalog.

Agencies must maintain training records and make them available to POST on request; incomplete records can jeopardize officer certification.

Supervisors and administrators also complete POST-required management/leadership training separate from officer-level in-service requirements.

POST certifies courses, not just academies; course sponsors submit an application with learning objectives, hours, content outline, instructor qualifications, and evaluation methods.

Approved courses receive a POST course number and specified credit hours; only the approved hours and content count toward training requirements.

Substantive changes to an approved course (objectives, hours, content, instructors) require resubmission or amendment to POST.

Course certification has a validity period; renewal requires evidence the course remains current and meets POST standards.

POST may audit or decertify courses that fail to meet standards, misrepresent content, or deviate from approved curriculum.

Instructor certification is separate from course certification; instructors must meet POST qualifications, and some courses require POST-certified instructors.

Course rosters and completion records must be submitted to POST in the required format to credit attendees.

Distance/online learning courses require POST approval and must include verifiable participation and testing components.

Nevada peace officer applicants must meet POST minimum standards: U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, minimum age (21 for peace officers), high school diploma or equivalent, and no disqualifying criminal history.

Applicants undergo a background investigation, medical examination, psychological evaluation, polygraph (agency-dependent), and drug screening before appointment.

Peace officer certification requires completion of a POST-certified basic academy and passage of the POST certification examination.

Agency hiring decisions are separate from POST certification; POST sets minimum standards, but agencies may impose additional requirements.

Out-of-state or prior-service officers may seek reciprocity or waiver of basic training based on POST evaluation of prior training and experience.

Employment records and separation information must be reported to POST; certain separations (e.g., for misconduct) affect certification eligibility.

Probationary employment periods allow agencies to evaluate performance; failure during probation can result in termination without full property interest protections.

POST maintains a registry of certified officers; agencies verify certification status before and during employment.

Nevada peace officer certification may be denied, suspended, or revoked for misconduct, including felony convictions, dishonesty, excessive force, and failure to meet training requirements.

POST may take action based on a criminal conviction, administrative finding, or agency separation for cause; due process includes notice and an opportunity to respond.

Officers must self-report arrests, criminal charges, and certain administrative actions to their agency and POST as required.

Failure to complete required in-service training or maintain firearms qualification is grounds for certification action.

POST can impose conditions, probation, or training requirements as alternatives to suspension or revocation.

Agency chiefs must report certain officer separations and misconduct findings to POST; failure to report can itself be a violation.

Certification decisions are subject to administrative review and appeal under POST regulations and the Nevada Administrative Procedure Act.

Officers must maintain moral fitness, truthfulness, and compliance with laws; conduct off-duty can support certification action when it reflects on fitness for duty.