About Basic Correctional Officer Training

BCOT Training is 240 hours.

This basic program is designed to meet the requirements established by GDC for new Correctional Officers and other staff who supervise offenders as a part of their normal duties in state, county and private facilities.  It is also designed to provide basic skills training in security practices and procedures necessary to function in a correctional setting.

To complete the BCOT program, the trainee must meet established standards on written examinations which evaluate cognitive knowledge, and performance-oriented examinations which evaluate psychomotor skill. Completion of this program is mandated by POST council for certification as a Correctional Officer in Georgia.  Students will be issued a certificate of completion and POST council will issue a POST certification number to the Correctional Officer once they have met all requirements.

  • Meet Minimum Job Requirements

    Applicants for Correctional Officer must meet the minimum job requirements to be hired:

    • be at least 18 years of age
    • have high School Diploma or GED
    • be a US Citizen
    • have no Felony Convictions
    • pass the POST Entrance Exam

  • Complete the POST Application

    Once an applicant has been hired, they are required to supply other documentation to our Peace Officer's Standards and Training (POST) unit to complete their POST package.

    The required documents are as follows:

    • Birth Certificate
    • GED or High School Diploma
    • Criminal History (Fingerprint Live Scan Results)
    • Driver’s History for the last five Years
    • Physical Examination
    • Personal History Release
    • DD 214 if military

  • Participate in Basic Correctional Officer Training (BCOT)

    • BCOT Training is 240 hours of training. 
    • This course is generally taught 9 times per year.

    After the POST application has been cleared, selected candidates will undergo five weeks of job relevant Basic Correctional Officer Training which will total 240 hours of training. 

    • Week 1: Cadets are required to attend firearms training and shoot a passing score of 80% with the required weapon twice to continue in the program.
    • Weeks 2 through 5: Cadets are required to attend classroom academics and also practical training. They are given written exams over the subjects covered and must score minimum of 70% or 80 % depending on the liability of the material.
      • Practical exams are scored as a pass or fail.
      • Should a cadet fail three written exams or a retest, they are removed from the program and sent back to the hiring authority. 

    Additionally, cadets can be removed from BCOT if they miss POST mandatory high liability lessons, miss more than 5% of the training hours, or display significant or repeated disciplinary problems.