Corrections Officers Academy

This 400 hour academy is designed to provide training for employees whose primary job functions are to facilitate the custody, safety and security of adults in jails.  The COA provides participants with the basic knowledge and skills needed for safe and effective service.  Training Coordinators act as coaches and mentors to individuals and the group as a whole.  Professionalism and decorum are encouraged for officers to develop pride and ownership of conduct.  Students are also organized into teams with Team Leaders serving to enhance group performance. Course topics include:

  • Combating manipulation
  • Legal issues
  • Professionalism
  • Emotional survival/peer support
  • Transport
  • Booking
  • Communication
  • Search

IMPORTANT:  The Basic Training Division has moved to online registration through the WSCJTC Acadis Portal by agency authorized personnel. For technical questions regarding the WSCJTC Acadis Portal please email lms@cjtc.wa.gov. For registration questions please email basictraining@cjtc.wa.gov

 

 

In order to attend COA, recruits must pass the Physical Ability Test (PAT).  PAT will occur generally two weeks after selection for a class, and two weeks prior to the start of class.

Agencies, recruits, and prospective applicants can view the PAT requirements here. The PAT scoring sheet can also be found here.

The Legislature has continued the mandated 25% cost share for the Corrections Officers Academy. Agencies will be billed post the first day of class and payment is expected prior to graduation per RCW 43.101.200.

View our full cost share sheet for mandated and non mandated agencies here.

Haley Johns (Registrar)

(206) 255-0043

Who can attend our classes?

This academy is open to recruits who have been hired by a corrections agency.  Sponsoring agencies will submit application materials on the recruits' behalf.

Required Equipment

Equipment and attire requirements have recently been updated. Read our message from Executive Director Alexander regarding this change here.

Please review the latest equipment and attire requirements

 

Dress Code

Please see the above equipment list for recruit attire throughout the academy.

Regulation

The Corrections Officers Academy must be completed within six months of hire by all full time corrections employees of a city, county, or political subdivision of the state of Washington per WAC 139-10-210, WAC 193-10-220 and RCW 43.101.220.

Mandated agencies: City, County, State Universities, Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, and Railroad

Non mandated agencies: Tribal Police, Gambling Commission, Liquor & Cannabis Board, WA State Parks & Recreation, Arson Investigators, DNR and Reserves.

Schedule

COA classes are typically held 0700 to 1730 Monday through Thursday.

The number of COA classes held per year will vary each year depending on legislative decisions and funding.  The schedules below outline all classes approved for the specified fiscal year.  

Please note: These schedules are subject to change without notice.  Training Officers must read selection notices carefully to ensure they have the correct dates.

Cancellation

Agency's wishing to cancel an applicant must notify the registrar via phone or email.

REQUIRED FORMS

IMPORTANT:  The Basic Training Division has moved to online registration through the WSCJTC Acadis Portal by agency authorized personnel. For technical questions regarding the WSCJTC Acadis Portal please email lms@cjtc.wa.gov. For registration questions please email basictraining@cjtc.wa.gov

To register an applicant for this Academy, the following attachments must be included: 

  • CJ-1251 Statement of Fitness
  • CJ-1253 Student Liability Release

All forms are available for download below. Note: The below application document is for your reference only. 

Effective May 1st, 2021:

Submitting an incomplete registration request through the Acadis Portal is allowed. However, the request will not be processed until it is completed- it will remain in the queue (Application List) until all prerequisites are attached. Doing this only guarantees a spot in the queue, incomplete requests will not secure a spot in any specific class. Complete registrations are processed into open seats daily on a first-come/first-served basis. Therefore, it is best to submit only complete registration requests, confirming all aspects of the prerequisites are completed, to secure a seat in a class.

Once a request has been submitted through the Acadis Portal, complete or incomplete, only CJTC may make changes to it. Therefore, any prerequisites needing to be attached must be submitted to basictraining@cjtc.wa.gov.

 

Training sessions

Session Session Title Selection Date PAT Test Date Dates & Hours Location Status
490 COA Dates TBD
19010 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148
Full
486 COA Dates TBD
19010 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148
Full
488 COA Dates TBD
19010 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148
Full
487 COA Dates TBD
19010 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148
Full
489 COA Dates TBD
19010 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148
Full
491 COA Dates TBD
19010 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148
Full
492 COA Dates TBD
19010 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148
Open
485 COA 3/12/2024 3/26/2024 4/9/2024 - 6/18/2024 WSCJTC
19010 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148
Full
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