Equivalency of Training (EOT) - Law Enforcement Officer is an Other program offered by Withlacoochee Technical College in Inverness, FL. The program takes About one week to complete, with a total tuition of $1,100.
Program Overview
The Equivalency of Training (EOT) process is for out-of-state officers, federal officers and previously certified Florida officers with a four year or more break-in-service pursuant to section 943.131(2a), Florida Statutes and Rule 11B-35.009(3) or (4), Florida Administrative Code, or for persons who served as a member of the special operations forces pursuant to section 943.131(2)(b), F.S. and Rule 11B-35.009(5), F.A.C.
This course is for previous Florida Certified and Out-of-State Certified officers seeking certification as Florida Certified Officers; the Law Enforcement Officer EOT course is offered at the Citrus County Public Safety Training Center at Withlacoochee Technical College.
What sets this Program apart
The EOT allows a former officer or special forces member to be exempt from having to complete the full basic recruit academy.
Most Equivalency of Training (EOT) courses are one week in length. At the conclusion of the course, students register for the State Officer Certification Exam, which may be taken the following week at the Withlacoochee Technical College Pearson VUE Testing Center or at any Pearson VUE Testing Center throughout the State of Florida.
Admission Requirements and Process
Former officers in another state or with the federal government. You may be eligible for an exemption from the basic training requirements if you worked at least one year, full-time as a sworn officer in the discipline you are seeking exemption; received training in that discipline which is comparable to Florida’s full basic recruit curriculum or previously completed Florida’s full basic recruit training program and were certified in Florida; and have no more than an eight year break-in-service since your latest separation from a sworn position.
Special operations forces. You may be eligible if you worked at least five years as a member of the special operations forces and have no more than a four year break-in-service since your separation.
Previously sworn Florida officers. You may be eligible if you were fully certified as an officer in Florida and have at least a four year, but no more than an eight year, break-in-service since your most recent separation from a sworn position in Florida.
Not a background investigation. EOT is not a background investigative process to determine eligibility for Florida criminal justice employment; an employing agency is required to document compliance with employment requirements during the employment background investigation. Enrollment in this course is on a first come first serve basis.
General Requirements
- Sworn officer experienceAt least one year full-time as a sworn officer in the discipline, or at least five years in the special operations forces.
- Comparable trainingTraining comparable to Florida’s full basic recruit curriculum, or prior completion of Florida’s basic recruit program and Florida certification.
- Break in serviceNo more than an eight year break-in-service (four years for special operations forces) since your latest separation.
- CJSTC 76 FormRegistration must be accompanied by a valid CJSTC 76 Form, the evaluation that establishes eligibility from training and work history.
Application Process
- 1Apply for a CJSTC 76 FormBegin the CJSTC 76 Form process, the evaluation that establishes eligibility from training and work history.
- 2Register for the EOT courseRegister for the Equivalency of Training course with the EOT Registration Form, accompanied by a valid CJSTC 76 Form.
- 3Attend the courseAttend the one-week EOT course; no refund will be issued after the start of class.
- 4Take the State Officer Certification ExamRegister for the State Officer Certification Exam at the conclusion of the course; out-of-state students must take it in Florida.
Program Schedule
Equivalency of Training (EOT) courses are offered quarterly, and additional courses may be scheduled based on enrollment demand. Upcoming EOT courses: November 2 - 8, 2026 (FULL); November 30 - December 6, with testing December 7. The next scheduled EOT course will be held May 4-8, with State Testing May 11.
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited school means its training has been reviewed against independent standards that protect students.
This school: Withlacoochee Technical College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. The Public Safety Training Center is an approved training site of the FDLE Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Reviewed against independent standards
- Recognized by employers and licensing boards
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Fees. Step 1 - the CJSTC 76 Form: $225 out of state (less than eight year break in service) or $75 in-state (less than eight year break in service). Step 2 - the Equivalency of Training course: $1,100 for the Law Enforcement Officer course (Law Enforcement Officer $1,100; Correction Officer $900).
Refund policy. No refund will be issued after the start of class.
Financial aid. The EOT page lists no financial aid for the course; it is a one-week course for officers seeking Florida certification.
Curriculum
Class format / length: most Equivalency of Training (EOT) courses are one week in length, and at the conclusion of the course students register for the State Officer Certification Exam. WTC publishes no course-by-course content for the EOT course.
Career Outcomes
At the conclusion of the course, students register for the State Officer Certification Exam. To become employed as a certified law enforcement, correctional or correctional probation officer in Florida, individuals must meet the requirements of s. 943.13 Florida Statutes and Rule 11B-27, Florida Administrative Code.
What to expect as a Withlacoochee Technical College student
The exam may be taken the following week at the Withlacoochee Technical College Pearson VUE Testing Center or at any Pearson VUE Testing Center throughout the State of Florida. If you are a student from out of state, the State Officer Certification Exam MUST be taken in Florida. Air Force personnel with Security Forces training from 2018 forward should note that it often fails to meet Florida’s EOT training criteria.
Other Programs at Inverness
Withlacoochee Technical College in Inverness, FL also offers these 21 programs at 1201 W. Main Street, Inverness, FL 34450.
- Applied CybersecurityCertificate · 750 clock hours
- Computer Systems & Information TechnologyCertificate · 900 clock hours
- Correctional OfficerCertificate · 445 clock hours (approximately four months)
- CosmetologyCertificate · 1,200 clock hours
- Crossover from Correctional Officer to Law Enforcement OfficerCertificate · 518 clock hours
- Crossover from Law Enforcement Officer to Correctional OfficerCertificate · 223 clock hours
- ElectricityCertificate · 1,200 clock hours
- Equivalency of Training (EOT) - Correctional OfficerOther · About one week
- Firefighter and EMT Combined AcademyCertificate · 792 clock hours (approximately 6 months)
- Florida Law Enforcement AcademyCertificate · 770 clock hours
- Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning/RefrigerationCertificate · 1,350 clock hours
- Industrial Machinery and Controls TechnicianCertificate · 1,200 clock hours
- Massage TherapyCertificate · 750 clock hours
- Master Automotive Service Technology 1Certificate · 1,050 clock hours (10 months)
- Master Automotive Service Technology 2Certificate · 750 clock hours (7 months)
- Medical AssistingCertificate · 900 clock hours
- Practical NursingCertificate · 1,350 clock hours
- Professional Culinary Arts & HospitalityCertificate · 1,200 clock hours
- Professional Nursing (LPN-RN)Certificate · 900 clock hours (approximately 12 months)
- Welding TechnologyCertificate · 1,050 clock hours
- Welding Technology - AdvancedCertificate · 750 clock hours