Certifications › POST / LE
POST / law enforcement certification
Last verified November 1, 2026
Not legal advice. This guide is general information, not legal or career advice. Licensing rules, hours and fees change and vary by state and employer. Verify every requirement with the issuing body before you enroll, apply or work.
What it is
Peace officer certification issued by each state's Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) agency after a basic academy and state exam. Some security and armed-guard rules waive training for certified or recently retired officers.
Who needs it
Sworn police officers, deputies and other peace officers; former officers applying for armed security roles.
Requirements
Set by each state's POST agency (academy hours, exams, background and medical standards). IADLEST is the national association of POST directors.
Typical cost and time
- Cost
- Check with Your state's POST agency (see IADLEST)
- Time
- Check with Your state's POST agency (see IADLEST)
Issuing body
Your state's POST agency (see IADLEST)
Renewal
Check with Your state's POST agency (see IADLEST)
Sources
- www.iadlest.org/
- dos.ny.gov/security-guard-training-requirements
- www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Private-Investigation-Licenses/Class-G-Statewide-Firearm-L
Last verified November 1, 2026. Where a field says "Check with", we couldn't confirm it from an official source.