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 Training, Certificates & Services

Basic Course Waiver Process
 


Completion of the Basic Course Waiver process is an option for meeting California's Regular Basic Course training requirement. The Regular Basic Course is the training requirement for POST-program city police officers, sheriff's deputies, marshals, district attorney investigators, campus police officers, park police, Level I reserve peace officers and a few miscellaneous peace officer positions identified in the California Penal Code.

An individual must successfully complete the entire Basic Course Waiver (BCW) process to obtain a waiver. Agency sponsorship is not required to participate in the BCW process. Acceptance of a waiver for meeting the Regular Basic Course training standard is at the discretion of the employing agency.

BASIC COURSE WAIVER PROCESS
The BCW is a four-step process for evaluating prior law enforcement training and testing knowledge and skill levels. These steps must be completed in the order shown. Fees are charged for Steps 2 and 3
Step 1:
APPLICATION/SELF-ASSESSMENT
Step 2:
POST TRAINING EVALUATION
Step 3:
BASIC COURSE WAIVER EXAMINATION (BCWE)
Step 4:
WAIVER ISSUANCE

The application/self-assessment must include verification of successful completion of each of the following:

  • at least a 200-hour general law enforcement basic course,
  • at least 664 hours of general law enforcement training (including basic course),
  • the legislatively mandated training subjects included in the Regular Basic Course, and
  • at least one year of general law enforcement experience
The applicant's self-assessment and supporting documents are evaluated to determine if the general law enforcement training and experience requirements have been met, as outlined in Step 1. The BCWE includes both written and skill components.The written component consists of a multiple-choice examination that measures knowledge of the Regular Basic Course curriculum. The skills component consists of an assessment of critical skills, such as firearms and defensive tactics. Both components can be satisfied by completing either the 136-hour minimum Requalification Course or by testing. The waiver letter granted by POST waives the required completion of a California POST-certified Regular Basic Course and is valid for three years.
No fee $75 fee Fees vary by presenter No fee

Information

To start the Basic Course Waiver process, please read these instructions (pdf) and complete the Basic Course Waiver Application (doc). After you have carefully read the BCW instructions, additional information may be obtained by contacting the Basic Training Bureau at 916.227.4254 or by email at bcw@post.ca.gov.