State Mandated Training for General Authority Washington Peace Officers
WSCJTC prepares Washington’s public safety professionals through high-quality academy training, specialized instruction, certification support, and continuing education. Find required trainings for new peace officers, specialized assignments, and recurring training for existing officers below.
Training at a Glance
Entry-Level Requirement
Required Phased Training
Career-Level Certification
Required Every Year
Required Every Three Years
Entry-Level Certification Training
Basic training required for initial peace officer certification
Basic Law Enforcement Training
RCW 43.101.200. Personnel initially employed on or after January 1, 1990, shall commence basic training during the first six months of employment unless the basic training requirement is otherwise waived or extended by the commission. Successful completion of basic training is requisite to the continuation of employment of such personnel initially employed on or after January 1, 1990.
- 720 hours of one-time training.
- See Chapter 139-05 WAC for more information.
Required Every Year
After a Washington State officer graduates from BLEA and becomes certified, the recurring state-mandated training requirements are as follows:
24-hour In-service Training
Every peace officer certified under RCW 43.101.095 is required to complete a minimum of 24-hours of in-service training annually.
- 24 hours of training annually.
- See WAC 139-05-300 for more information.
Crisis Intervention Training
Under RCW 43.101.427, all general authority Washington peace officers must complete a two-hour online crisis intervention course as part of the annual training required.
- 2 hours of training every year.
- See WAC 139-09-020 for more information
Required Every Three Years
Gender-based violence - Sexual assault
RCW 43.101.276. Effective July 2023, this 3-hour online Start by Believing Summit course is a required prerequisite for the SAI-VCERT/victim interviewing class under RCW 43.101.272. Additionally, effective July 2025, this training will satisfy the gender-based violence officer training requirement under RCW 43.101.276. All peace officers shall complete the gender-based violence training at least once every three years.
Course: Sexual Assault Investigation: Patrol Officer Response to Sexual Assault
- 2 hours of training every three years.
- Training for peace officers working on patrol on a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach to interacting with victims and responding to calls involving sexual violence.
- All peace officers working on patrol shall complete the training within one year of patrol assignment and at least once every three years thereafter.
Course: Start by Believing
- 3 hours of training every three years.
- Training for peace officers on a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach to interacting with victims and responding to calls involving gender-based violence
- All peace officers shall complete the training at least once every three years.
Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act (LETCSA)
RCW 43.101.455 All General Authority Washington Peace Officers. Forty-hours that consist of 24 hours of Patrol Tactics, Violence de-escalation and mental health topics and 16 hours of Cultural and community Centered topics Course: Patrol Tactics Course: Cultural and Community Centered– multiple online courses *40 hours of training every three years. See chapter 139-11 WAC for more information.
- 24 hours of training annually.
- See WAC 139-05-300 for more information.
Required Phased Training
Crisis Intervention Team 40-hour Training
RCW 43.101.427. General Authority Washington Peace Officers from agencies in regions that are phased into the Trueblood state requirement.
- 40 hours of one-time in-person training
Specialized Training Required by Assignment
Sexual assault and gender-based violence: Training for persons investigating
RCW 43.101.272 This comprehensive sexual assault training is mandated for officers assigned to regularly investigate sexual assault and other gender-based violence involving adult victims and the highest-ranking supervisors and commanders overseeing those investigations shall complete the training within one year of being assigned.
Course: SAI-VCERT
- 29 hours (four days) of one-time online training
Domestic violence investigation training
RCW 43.101.428. Officers assigned to regularly investigate domestic violence must complete the training within one year of being assigned or by July 1, 2027, whichever is later.
Course: Domestic Violence Trauma Informed Investigations and Response (DV-TIIR)
- 20 hours of one-time training
Training for persons investigating child sexual abuse
RCW 43.101.224. This is a 4 day (32 hour) multidisciplinary online course for WA State law enforcement investigators, prosecutors, and specialized child interviewers. There are 30 hours of classroom and self-study with 2 hours of pre-course work.
Course: Child Abuse Interviewing & Assessment
- 32 hours of one-time training.
Career-Level Certification
All law enforcement personnel initially hired to, transferred to, or promoted to a supervisory or management position. This training has three levels of training. Core training requirements under RCW 43.101.350 are as follows:
First Level Supervision Certification
Complete First Level Supervision 40-hour course plus at least 40 additional elective training hours.
Course: First Level Supervision
Middle Management Certification
This class is for those holding middle-management ranks in corrections and law enforcement fields in the state of Washington.
Course: 21st Century Policing Leadership
- Selected applicants will be assigned to a cohort that will receive this training for 3 months.
- The delivery method for this curriculum will involve pre-course self-study work, 3 days in class a month (totaling 9 days of actual class time), followed by assignments and peer learning calls between courses. A culminating capstone project will be required before credit can be given for completion of this program.
or
- Complete 40 hours of WASPC Credible Leadership series training plus 40 additional elective training hours.
Executive Level Certification
Complete a combination of 80 hours of elective leadership courses.
See Career Level Certification or WAC 139-25-110 webpages for more information.
Why WSCJTC?
The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission designs training to support safe, accountable, and legally sound public safety practices. Our programs combine Washington law, community expectations, professional standards, practical skills, and ongoing curriculum improvement.
Nationally Recognized Standards
WSCJTC’s IADLEST accreditation supports consistent, professional, and defensible training grounded in nationally recognized best practices.
Community Safety & Accountability
LETCSA reflects Washington’s commitment to training that emphasizes de-escalation, patrol tactics, cultural understanding, bias awareness, and public trust.
Contact Us
Basic Law Enforcement Academy
- Haley Johns, BTD Registrar
- Phone: (206) 255-004
- Email: basictraining@cjtc.wa.gov
Related Links
Physical Ability Test
Review PAT requirements for BLEA, COA, and JCOA enrollment.