Alabama POST Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Age: Minimum age 19 to be certified as a law enforcement officer in Alabama.
• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Citizenship: U.S. citizen.
• Driver license: Valid driver’s license (Alabama license by appointment) with acceptable driving record.
• Criminal history: No felony convictions; must meet APOSTC character standards and be legally able to possess firearms.
• Other requirements:
  • Must be gainfully employed as a full-time law enforcement officer by an Alabama law enforcement agency to attend an academy (APOSTC rules do not allow non-sworn pre-service recruits).
  • Must meet physical qualifications, including medical examination and ability to perform essential job functions.
  • Must pass background investigation, including fingerprint checks.
  • Honorable discharge required from any prior U.S. military service.
  • Must complete required APOSTC application package and be approved prior to academy attendance.

Physical Fitness Standards

APOSTC requires a standardized physical agility and ability test at the academy. Standards are enforced at all APOSTC-approved academies, with the same core events and minimum performance levels.

• Complete the APOSTC-specified physical agility course within 90 seconds.
• 22 push-ups in one minute (APOSTC form).
• 25 sit-ups in one minute (APOSTC form).
• 1.5-mile run completed in 15 minutes and 28 seconds or less.

These are the statewide APOSTC physical ability/fitness minimums used by Alabama law enforcement academies; recruits must pass at the beginning of the course and maintain fitness throughout training.

Academy Training Requirements

Minimum academy hours: 520

APOSTC’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy Training Curriculum requires a minimum of 520 hours of instruction, typically delivered over approximately 12–13 weeks. Some academies run longer formats (e.g., 560 hours) but must at least meet the 520-hour APOSTC curriculum. Training includes firearms, emergency vehicle operations (EVOC), legal studies, defensive tactics, officer survival, community policing, mental health awareness, field sobriety, and other core topics.

Reference: Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) – Basic 520-Hour Law Enforcement Academy Curriculum.

Reciprocity / Lateral Entry

Alabama offers certification by equivalency/waiver for eligible out-of-state, prior Alabama, and certain military officers whose training and experience substantially match APOSTC standards.

• Officers previously certified in another state may apply for APOSTC certification by waiver. Typically requires documented completion of an equivalent basic academy and at least one year of full-time sworn experience within a recent time frame.
• Approved reciprocity candidates usually complete an APOSTC-approved refresher or lateral entry course (commonly around 80–95 hours) focused on Alabama-specific law, procedures, and firearms qualification.
• Candidates must pass required legal refresher exams, firearms qualification, and meet all APOSTC minimum employment, character, and medical standards.
• Military police or federal officers may qualify for partial credit but must demonstrate substantial equivalency of training and experience and complete any Alabama-specific requirements.

Reciprocity and waiver determinations are made by APOSTC on a case-by-case basis; applicants who do not meet equivalency must attend a full 520-hour basic academy.

POST Contact Information

Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC)
100 Capitol Commerce Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36117
Phone: 334-242-4045
Website: https://www.apostc.alabama.gov

Official POST Requirements:
https://www.apostc.alabama.gov/standards-and-requirements