11B-35.001. General Training Programs; Requirements and Specifications

(1) Throughout this rule chapter “training programs,” “courses,” “instructors,” and “training schools” refer to Commission-approved training programs, courses, instructors, and training schools. Commission-approved Basic Recruit, Advanced, and Specialized Training Programs are intended to provide job-related training to law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers. The training programs are:

(a) Basic Recruit Training Programs that provide for the acquisition of employment skills, necessary for officer certification and employment; and,

(b) Special Operations Forces Training Programs that provide training for special operations forces members seeking officer certification.

(c) Advanced Training Programs that maintain officer certification, enhance officer knowledge, skills, and abilities, and assist in an officer’s promotion to a higher rank.

(d) Specialized Training Programs that provide for officer post-basic or in-service training that enhance an officer’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in a specific area.

(2) Notification of scheduled courses. The training center director or designee shall notify the assigned local Commission field specialist of scheduled, rescheduled, or cancelled Commission-related training courses. This notification shall be at least 30 days in advance, or immediately upon scheduling, rescheduling, or cancellation of the course when under 30 days. Notification shall include at a minimum:

(a) Date(s) of course(s).

(b) Location of course(s).

(c) Title of course(s).

(d) Time of course(s).

(3) Instructors who teach Commission-approved Basic Recruit, Advanced, Specialized, and Special Operations Forces Training Program Courses at a training school shall:

(a) Be a Commission-certified General Instructor pursuant to subsection 11B-20.001(3), F.A.C., or be exempt from certification pursuant to subsection 11B-20.001(4), F.A.C.

(b) Be required to hold additional certifications for specified areas of instruction in Commission courses pursuant to Rule 11B-20.0014, F.A.C. Commission-certified defensive tactics instructors who instruct defensive tactics courses on or after July 1, 2020, must have completed the Defensive Tactics Instructor Course, effective May 2, 2019, as a part of their initial defensive tactics instructor certification or have completed the Defensive Tactics Instructor Update Course effective April 1, 2018.

(c) Be required to hold additional certifications for specified areas of instruction in Commission-approved courses pursuant to Rule 11B-20.0014, F.A.C.  Commission-certified firearms instructors who instruct Basic Recruit Firearms courses on or after July 1, 2023, must have completed the Firearms Instructor Course, effective July 1, 2023, as a part of their initial firearms instructor certification or have completed the Firearms Instructor Update Course, effective August 18, 2022.  All Commission-certified firearms instructors must have completed the Firearms Instructor Course, effective July 1, 2023, as a part of their initial firearms instructor certification or have completed the Firearms Instructor Update Course, effective August 18, 2022, before June 30, 2024, or their firearms instructor certification will be deactivated.

(d) Be required to hold additional certifications for specified areas of instruction in Commission-approved courses pursuant to Rule 11B-20.0014, F.A.C. Commission-certified first aid instructors who instruct Basic Recruit First Aid courses on or after July 1, 2023, must have completed the First Aid Instructor Course, effective February 16, 2023, as a part of their initial first aid instructor certification or have completed the First Aid Instructor Update Course, effective August 18, 2022. All Commission-certified first aid instructors must have completed the First Aid Instructor Course, effective February 16, 2023, as a part of their initial first aid instructor certification or have completed the First Aid Instructor Update Course, effective August 18, 2022, before June 30, 2024, or their first aid instructor certification will be deactivated.

(4) Commission-approved training shall be made available to the following:

(a) Students who enroll in a Commission-approved Basic Recruit Training Program to become certified law enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officers. Prior to enrolling in a Commission-approved Basic Recruit Training Program, students must comply with Section 943.13(2), F.S.

(b) Students who enroll in a Commission-approved Advanced or Specialized Training Program Course and are Commission-certified law enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officers.

(c) Criminal justice officers and support personnel, defined in Section 943.10(11), F.S., are authorized to expend Officer Training Monies to attend Commission-approved Advanced and Specialized Training Program Courses delivered through a training school. The Commission has further authorized support personnel to attend training courses funded with Officer Training Monies, as defined in paragraph 11B-18.0053(3)(a), F.A.C.

(5) The training center director shall ensure that each student is provided with a copy of the Commission’s currently approved Basic Recruit Training Curriculum applicable to the student’s enrollment prior to or at the beginning of the program.

(6) Training center directors shall ensure that instuctors are delivering the current Commission-approved training programs in compliance with Commission rules.

(7) The Commission shall approve new and revised curricula in the CJSTC basic recruit, advanced, specialized training programs pursuant to Section 943.17, F.S., and the Special Operations Forces Training Program, pursuant to Section 943.131(3), F.S.

(8) The Commission shall publish on the Active CJSTC Curricula web page the official list of approved and active Commission courses and programs for Basic Recruit, Advanced, Specialized, and the Special Operations Forces Training Programs. The Active CJSTC Curricula web page can be accessed at the following FDLE Internet address: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CJSTC/Curriculum/Active-Courses.aspx.

(9) Maintenance of training curricula.

(a) Training curricula shall be maintained for Commission approved Basic Recruit, Advanced, Specialized, and the Special Operations Forces Training Programs within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

(b) Upon approval of new or revised curricula, the Commission shall establish an effective date for implementation.

(c) A course description of approved new or revised curricula shall be published on the Active CJSTC Curricula web page within 10 days of Commission approval.

(d) Each course description shall include, at a minimum, the course code, name, hours, and effective date. Each basic recruit program description shall include, at a minimum, an outline of courses by name, course number, and hours.

(10) Student academic performance in courses.

(a) Each training center director shall make available to its students and Commission staff a written copy of its performance standards.

(b) The terms “successfully completed” and “successfully complete” are denoted with a “Pass” on the completed Training Report form CJSTC-67 and are defined as follows: A student enrolled in a Commission-approved Basic Recruit Training Program or a Special Operations Forces Training Program shall achieve a score of no less than 80% on each of the written end-of-course examinations, exclusive of demonstration of proficiency skills in the Basic Recruit Training Courses. A student enrolled in a Commission-approved Advanced or Specialized Training Program Course pursuant to paragraph (10)(d) of this rule section, shall achieve a score of no less than 80% on the written end-of-course examination. A student enrolled in a Specialized Instructor Training Course shall achieve a score of no less than 85% on the written end-of-course examination, exclusive of demonstration of any proficiency skills.

(c) The training center director or designee is responsible for the development, maintenance, and administration of comprehensive end-of-course examinations. The training center director or designee is authorized to develop, maintain, and administer additional academic tests for courses and is not limited to only the utilization of a comprehensive end-of-course examination. Training schools shall maintain examinations for Commission-approved Basic Recruit, Special Operations Forces, Advanced, Specialized Instructor Training, and Specialized Training Program Courses, pursuant to paragraph (10)(d) of this rule section, and in compliance with the administration, confidentiality, and security requirements of subsections 11B-35.0085(2)-(5), F.A.C.

(d) The Commission shall designate on the Active CJSTC Curricula web page the Specialized Instructor Courses and Specialized Training Program Courses that require an end-of-course examination.

(e) End-of-course examinations shall be developed and administered for each course in a basic recruit training program and the Special Operations Forces Training Programs based on the learning objectives in each course, with the exception of the physical fitness officer wellness courses, and proficiency demonstration courses, pursuant to subsection 11B-35.009(8), F.A.C.

(11) Reporting requirements for Commission-approved Basic Recruit, Advanced, Specialized, and Special Operations Forces Training Program Courses are as follows:

(a) The training center director or designee shall determine the beginning and ending dates of each Basic Recruit Training Program and Special Operations Forces Training Program, and within thirty days following the class starting date shall forward a Training Report, form CJSTC-67, revised November 5, 2015, effective 9/2016, hereby incorporated by reference http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07376, to Commission staff through the Commission’s Automated Training Management System (ATMS). Form CJSTC-67 can be obtained at the following FDLE Internet address: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CJSTC/Publications/Forms.aspx, or by contacting Commission staff at [phone].

(b) Following the completion of a Commission-approved Basic Recruit Training Program, Advanced Training Program Course, Special Operations Forces Training Program, or Specialized Training Program Course outlined in subsection 11B-35.007(1), F.A.C., the training center director or designee shall, within thirty days of the program or course completion date, electronically transmit a completed Training Report form CJSTC-67, or transmit an updated CJSTC-67 form through the Commission’s ATMS. Submission of the Academy Physical Fitness Standards Report, form CJSTC-67A, revised August 4, 2016, effective 7/2017, hereby incorporated by reference http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-08440, is required for Law Enforcement, Correctional Probation, and Correctional Basic Recruit Training Programs within thirty days of the course completion. Submission of form CJSTC-67A is not required for the Law Enforcement Auxiliary and Cross-Over Basic Recruit Training Programs. Form CJSTC-67A can be obtained at the following FDLE Internet address: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CJSTC/Publications/Forms.aspx, or by contacting Commission staff at [phone].

(c) The training center director or designee shall ensure that the records for Commission-approved Basic Recruit, Advanced, Specialized, and Special Operations Forces Training Program Courses are maintained in the course file within the training school. Each course shall be subject to audit by Commission staff. Such records shall, at a minimum, include:

1. Course outline(s) and daily schedule(s).

2. Course(s) name and contact person.

3. Date(s) of course(s).

4. Full legal name of all attending students.

5. Test scores and test materials shall be made available for review by Commission staff upon request, pursuant to Rule 11B-35.0085, F.A.C.

6. The number of course electives for all courses delivered using Commission-approved Specialized Goals and Objectives.

7. Applicable proficiency checklists and performance reports.

8. List of course instructor(s) to include full name and a copy of the instructor’s current ATMS Global Profile Sheet filed alphabetically in a master file, or maintained in the course file, or completion of Instructor Exemption, form CJSTC-82, revised August 13, 2020, effective 5/2021, hereby incorporated by reference http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13140, if applicable. Form CJSTC-82 can be obtained at the following FDLE Internet address: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CJSTC/Publications/Forms.aspx, or by contacting Commission staff at [phone].

9. Student daily attendance records, to include documentation of excused absences, pursuant to subsection (10) of this rule section

10. Documentation of student makeup work, pursuant to subsection (11) of this rule section.

11. Documentation on transfer students, pursuant to Rule 11B-35.0023, F.A.C.

12. Completed Training Report form CJSTC-67.

13. Form CJSTC-67A for Basic Recruit Training Programs pursuant to subsection 11B-35.001(13), F.A.C.

14. For Basic Recruit Training Programs, proof of compliance with Sections 943.13(2), 943.14(7) and 943.17(1)(g), F.S., and paragraph 11B-35.001(15)(b), F.A.C., which includes a completed Physician’s Assessment, form CJSTC-75, revised August 13, 2020, effective 5/2021, hereby incorporated by reference http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13139. Form CJSTC-75 can be obtained at the following FDLE Internet address: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CJSTC/Publications/Forms.aspx, or by contacting Commission staff at [phone].

15. A training school re-examination policy and documented justification for each student re-examination administered.

16. A list of expenditures from the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund Officer Training Monies for Commission-approved Advanced and Specialized Training Program Courses when Officer Training Monies are used to fund the course.

(12) Student attendance requirements for Commission-approved Basic Recruit Training Programs outlined in Rule 11B-35.002, F.A.C., Specialized Training Programs outlined in subsection 11B-35.007(1), F.A.C., and Advanced Training Program Courses outlined in subsection 11B-35.006(1), F.A.C., and the Special Operations Forces Training Program outlined in Rule 11B-35.009, F.A.C.

(a) The training center director or designee shall maintain daily student attendance records or login records or electronic records of participation for each training course. A training school shall have a written copy of its attendance policy available for review by students and Commission staff.

(b) Each student shall attend or login and complete all sessions of a training course except for absences approved by the training center director or designee. Documentation specifying the reason for the excused absence or non-completion of login activity or non-completion of student assignments shall be maintained in the course file at the training school. Students shall be responsible for class work missed during absences. The training center director or designee shall determine the content and quantity of makeup work. Documentation of the student’s make-up work shall be signed by the training center director or designee and maintained in the student or course file at the training school.

(c) Competency-Based Instruction. The Commission approves competency-based instruction in the delivery of basic recruit training programs, specialized training program courses, specialized instructor training courses, the Special Operations Forces Training Program, and courses created from specialized goals and objectives, defined in subparagraph (12)(c)1. of this rule section.

1. Competency-based instruction is defined as “curriculum that uses specific objectives and performance-based learning to achieve performance standards, in lieu of established contact hours” in a delivery format that ensures that the training school delivers all curriculum materials.

2. Training schools are permitted to use competency-based instruction for courses within the basic recruit training programs except for the physical fitness and officer wellness courses and within the Special Operations Forces Training Program. The delivery of basic recruit training programs and the Special Operations Forces Training Program shall adhere to total program hours.

3. Training schools are permitted to use eLearning instruction for Commission-approved Specialized Training Program Courses, Specialized Instructor Courses, and Specialized Goals and Objectives, pursuant to Rule 11B-35.0010, F.A.C.

(13) Student Re-examination Policy for Commission-approved Basic Recruit Training Program Courses.

(a) A student shall achieve a passing score, pursuant to subsection 11B-35.001(10), F.A.C., on all end-of-course examinations in a Commission-approved Basic Recruit Training Program or a Special Operations Forces Training Program to successfully complete a program. A student who has failed a written end-of-course examination may be granted a re-examination by the training center director if:

1. There is technical difficulty in the administration of the test.

2. A condition of the student adversely impacts the student’s ability to achieve a passing score on an end-of-course examination.

3. The end-of-course testing instrument is shown to be invalid.

(b) Exclusive of the Commission’s Basic Recruit Training Courses or the Special Operations Forces Training Program courses requiring proficiency demonstration and re-examinations in paragraph (13)(a) of this rule section, a student may be granted one written end-of-course re-examination during a single Basic Recruit Training Program or Special Operations Forces Training Program. Students, who have failed the written end-of-course examination after a second attempt shall be deemed to have failed the course.

(c) The training center director is authorized to approve a student’s request for re-examination.

(14) Student re-examination policy for Commission-approved Advanced and Specialized Training Program Courses. A student who has failed a written end-of-course examination in a Commission-approved Advanced or Specialized Training Program Course may be granted a re-examination of the course by the training center director as set forth in paragraph (13)(a) of this rule section. Each training school shall develop its own administrative procedures for processing a student’s request for a re-examination as set forth in subsection (11) of this rule section. Training school procedures for processing student requests for re-examination shall be documented and maintained on file at the training school for review by Commission staff and the student.

(15) Basic Recruit Student Physical Fitness Program.

(a) Commission-certified training schools are responsible for developing a physical fitness program and shall provide a copy to Commission staff. The physical fitness program shall be designed to improve the student’s overall physical fitness, improve the student’s performance on the second physical fitness test, and provide a foundation for lifelong fitness.

(b) Basic Recruit Student Physical Fitness Test and Chemical Agent Exposure. Prior to beginning a Basic Recruit Training Program, a student shall receive a physical examination and complete the Physical’s Assessment, form CJSTC-75, which shall be maintained in the student or course file at the training school. A physical examination is not required for cross-over basic recruit training programs.

(c) A student shall complete the physical fitness program to successfully complete a Commission-approved Basic Recruit Training Program. The student shall complete the physical fitness test within the first two weeks of beginning a basic recruit training program and complete a second physical fitness test within the final two weeks of a basic recruit training program. The physical fitness tests are not required for cross-over or auxiliary basic recruit training programs.

(16) Proof of course completion. A training school shall, within thirty days following the completion of a Commission-approved Basic Recruit, Advanced, Specialized, or Special Operations Forces Training Program Course, provide to a student who has successfully completed the program, a certificate, which shall contain at a minimum, the name of the training school, the student’s name, the dates of the program or course, the number of program or course hours, the title of the Basic Recruit, Advanced, Specialized, or Special Operations Forces Training Program Course, and the current training center director’s signature. Basic Recruit Training Completion Certificates shall contain the Curriculum Version Number for the course taught. The training school shall provide to a student who has successfully completed a Commission-approved Basic Recruit Training Program, and the student shall be required to pass the State Officer Certification Examination.

Rulemaking Authority 943.03(4), 943.12(1), (2), 943.17 FS. Law Implemented 943.12, 943.17 FS. History–New 12-13-92, Amended 8-7-94, 1-2-97, 7-7-99, 8-22-00, 7-29-01, 11-5-02, 11-30-04, 3-27-06, 3-21-07, 6-9-08, 9-28-09, 6-3-10, 5-21-12, 3-13-13, 5-29-14, 7-29-15, 9-4-16, 7-19-17, 8-15-18, 7-9-19, 5-5-20, 5-20-21, 8-30-23, 6-20-24.