North Carolina POST Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Age: At least 20 years of age for certification as a law enforcement officer.
• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Citizenship: U.S. citizen.
• Driver license: Typically a valid driver license is required by employing agencies; many require a North Carolina license by appointment.
• Criminal history: No felony convictions and no disqualifying misdemeanors under North Carolina standards.
• Other requirements:
  • Of good moral character as determined by background investigation.
  • Satisfactory medical examination showing fitness to perform essential job functions.
  • Psychological screening as required by the Commission and/or employing agency.
  • Successful completion of the Commission-approved Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) course.
  • Pass the state BLET exam.
  • Employment or conditional offer of employment with a North Carolina criminal justice agency (for most certification tracks).

Physical Fitness Standards

North Carolina’s Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program includes extensive physical training and skills evaluation; agencies typically require a fitness assessment tied to essential job functions.

• Physical skills training that requires adequate strength, endurance, and agility.
• Defensive tactics and control techniques.
• Practical scenarios that simulate foot pursuits, suspect control, and other physically demanding tasks.

The Commission does not publish a single statewide numeric fitness chart in the same way some states do, but academies commonly enforce minimum performance standards to ensure recruit safety and job readiness.

Academy Training Requirements

Minimum academy hours: 640

North Carolina’s Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) is a Commission-mandated course of roughly 640+ hours, typically delivered over about 16–20 weeks. It covers legal subjects, firearms, driving, physical fitness, patrol techniques, investigations, communication, and practical exercises.

Reference: North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission – Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET).

Reciprocity / Lateral Entry

North Carolina allows certain out-of-state and military officers to transfer into NC law enforcement through a recognition/waiver process, subject to minimum standards and experience requirements.

• Out-of-state transferees are evaluated on the amount and quality of prior training and experience.
• Generally must have completed a basic law enforcement training course accredited by their home state.
• Typically must possess at least two years of full-time sworn experience within the preceding five years to be considered for transfer.
• Approved candidates may receive partial credit toward NC requirements but may be required to complete NC-specific training or testing.
• Military police reciprocity requires qualifying military police training and recent experience, plus meeting all NC standards.

All reciprocity and waiver decisions are made in accordance with Commission rules. Applicants must still meet North Carolina’s minimum certification, background, and character standards.

POST Contact Information

North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission
Criminal Justice Standards Division, P.O. Drawer 149, Raleigh, NC 27602
Phone: 919-661-5980
Website: https://ncdoj.gov/law-enforcement-training/criminal-justice

Official POST Requirements:
https://ncdoj.gov/law-enforcement-training/criminal-justice/training-certification-programs/basic-law-enforcement-training/