California POST Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Age: Generally at least 21 at time of appointment (state law minimum is 18; many agencies set 21+).
• Education: High school diploma or GED; many agencies prefer or require some college coursework.
• Citizenship: Typically U.S. citizen; some agencies may accept permanent residents who have applied for citizenship in line with state and federal law.
• Driver license: Valid California driver license (or ability to obtain one by hire date).
• Criminal history: No felony convictions; no disqualifying misdemeanors; must be legally allowed to own/possess firearms under state and federal law.
• Other requirements:
  • Pass a thorough background investigation with fingerprint check (DOJ/FBI).
  • Pass medical examination, psychological evaluation, and drug screening.
  • Meet POST moral character standards and agency-specific hiring policies.

Physical Fitness Standards

California POST requires agencies to ensure applicants can perform essential physical tasks, but specific numeric fitness standards are set by individual academies or departments, not by a single statewide test.

• 1.5 mile run or similar timed cardio test.
• Obstacle / agility course with sprints, stairs, and/or fence or wall climbs.
• Upper-body and core strength tests such as push-ups and sit-ups or planks.
• Defensive tactics / control skills and safe firearms-handling under stress.

Applicants should review the posted physical readiness standards for the specific basic academy or hiring agency they are applying to, and train accordingly.

Academy Training Requirements

Minimum academy hours: 664

The POST Regular Basic Course is a minimum 664-hour academy covering California law, patrol procedures, firearms, defensive tactics, investigations, driving, and community-policing topics. Many academies exceed this minimum and run 700–900+ total hours.

Reference: California POST Regular Basic Course (RBC) curriculum.

Reciprocity / Lateral Entry

California does not offer automatic peace-officer reciprocity for out-of-state or federal officers.

• Basic Course Waiver (BCW) process for experienced officers whose prior training and service may be substantially equivalent to the Regular Basic Course.
• Completion of a POST-certified Regular Basic Course if prior training/experience do not meet POST standards.

Even with a Basic Course Waiver, applicants must still be hired by a POST-participating agency and meet all background, medical, psychological, and agency selection standards.

POST Contact Information

California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)
860 Stillwater Road, Suite 100, West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 227-3909
Website: https://post.ca.gov

Official POST Requirements:
https://post.ca.gov/peace-officer-candidate-selection-standards