Certification Information

Certification Bureau

The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) Certification Bureau can grant, deny, suspend, revoke certification of, or require remedial training for peace officers, certified limited authority officers, and corrections officers in Washington State. The Certification Bureau comprises the Certification Operations Division and the Certification Investigations Division. Together, these divisions:  

• Ensure that certified officers in the state meet the training and other requirements for certification, including peace officers, corrections officers, and specific limited authority and tribal officers.
• Provide comprehensive and timely investigations of allegations of certified officer misconduct to ensure adherence to State law and WSCJTC policy, strengthen law enforcement's integrity and accountability, and maintain public trust and confidence in the criminal justice system in this state.

Limited authority officers must be certified if they have arrest powers and carry firearms as part of their everyday duties.  Tribal governments may voluntarily request certification of their officers pursuant to RCW 43.101.157.

If you have questions or requests for additional information or resources, please email certmail@cjtc.wa.gov.

Law Enforcement Hiring Process

Employing agencies should review the background requirements of RCW 43.101.095 and WAC Chapter 139-07 before making a conditional offer of employment.

Please note that Reserve Officers must meet the exact background requirements as full-time officers.

Per RCW 43.101.095, the background investigation must include a check of commission records. Agencies must complete a WSCJTC Commission Check Webform to submit a request for certification status verification. Washington State lateral officer certification verification should include the name, date of birth, and previous employer. Out-of-state agencies requesting WSCJTC verification need to include a waiver. Please refer to the instructions on how to use the web form.

Equivalency Process

Before acceptance into a Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy (BLEEA) or the Corrections Officers Equivalency Academy (COEA), agencies must submit the following documentation to certmail@cjtc.wa.gov for review and approval of prior training for previously certified officers:

• The syllabus of the academy completed, which must include the topic and hours of each course
• A copy of the certificate of completion from the academy attended
• The prior employment history of the applicant

• When the applicant is hired, an official certification status letter should be submitted with registration. This letter is required to be on agency letterhead, signed by the head of the agency or designee, and state that certification was found to be in good standing with no potential misconduct per RCW 43.101.105.

For further information, see the Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy or the Corrections Officers Equivalency Academy web pages.

Breaks In Service

Officers who have had a break in service must comply with the following to continue or reinstate their officer certification:

• A break in service of fewer than 24 months of a WA state officer does not require additional training if certification is in good standing
• A break in service between 24 – 60 months requires the Equivalency Academy to receive certification
• A break in service of over 60 months requires the full basic law enforcement or corrections academy

The following are not certified positions, and any certified officer who is hired into one of these positions begins the clock to have their certification lapse/expire:

• Reserve officers
• Special commission officers
• Limited authority officers that do not meet the definition of a certified limited authority officer
• Railroad police officers

Notification to the WSCJTC

Agencies are required to notify the WSCJTC within 15 days of any incidents listed in statute RCW 43.101.135:

• Form CJ 1902 – Notice of Officer Separation is required when an officer is separated from an agency for any reason

• Form CJ 1915 – Agency Report is required within 15 days of any of the following occurrences:
  • Agency learns of a use of force that causes serious injury or death
  • Agency learns that officer has been charged with a crime
  • Agency makes an initial disciplinary decision for any misconduct listed in RCW 43.101.105
• Form CJ 1916 – Canine Reporting is required for reporting serious injury involving a canine. A definition of serious injury from a canine can be found in the Canine Model Policy

When an officer is accused of misconduct, agencies must provide the WSCJTC with relevant records. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, agencies have 30 days to comply with the request. For more information, refer to WAC 139-06-030.

Agencies cannot make an agreement with an officer or union to delay or not report misconduct to the WSCJTC. Records must remain in the officer’s employment record for 10 years after separation.

Resources

• The National Decertification Index (NDI)
• WSCJTC Database
• RCW 43.101
• WAC 139
• Employment forms:
  • 1902 - Notice of Separation
  • 1903 - Notice of Hire
  • 1905 - Voluntary Surrender Certification
  • 1915 - Agency Report
  • 1916- Canine Reporting Form
• Certification Complaint Form

• Submit a Public Records Request