Basic Law Enforcement Training

The college catalog lists the basic law enforcement training program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements currently available at Central Piedmont.

In addition to the basic law enforcement training certificate, Central Piedmont also offers a police academic prep certificate. The police academy prep certificate takes one year to complete and will teach you the basic requirements for completion of our basic law enforcement training or any policy academy and prepare you to meet the physical rigors of our or any police academy. For more information on the police academy prep certificate, please contact cpccblet@cpcc.edu.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship simply means that a municipal, county, state, or federal North Carolina law enforcement agency head or their designee has met and talked with you and is willing to sponsor you for basic law enforcement training. The signed sponsorship form does not obligate the sponsoring agency to hire you upon your successful completion of the course, nor does it obligate you to take a job with the sponsoring agency. Our program does not require you to be sponsored to enter the program. Included in the basic law enforcement training packet you will find a sponsorship list for various agencies as well as the form that needs to be signed. We will accept a sponsorship from an agency outside of the agencies provided. Accepted agencies include a municipal, county, state, or federal North Carolina law enforcement agency. Simply contact one of the listed service agencies and request a sponsorship. Agency contact personnel and their phone numbers will be listed. There is no monetary assistance from the sponsoring agency nor is there any promise to employ upon successful completion, but the signed sponsorship form from the agency does in fact waive your tuition with the North Carolina Community College System for the program. You can pay for the course on your own and not be sponsored.

Visiting Students

If you wish to transfer Central Piedmont course credit back to your home institution, explore how to enroll at Central Piedmont as a visiting student.

Corporate and Continuing Education

Central Piedmont's Corporate and Continuing Education provides non-credit, non-degree courses and programs, including job skills, industry-focused career training, certificates, certifications, professional licensure, and personal enrichment. Day, evening, weekend, and online opportunities are available.

College and Career Readiness

If you are looking for programs to gain the knowledge or skills necessary to finish a high school degree or to get a job, visit Central Piedmont's College and Career Readiness.

College Credit for High School Students

Visit Career and College Promise to learn about opportunities for high school students to earn college credit at Central Piedmont.

For detailed information on basic law enforcement training program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements, visit the Central Piedmont Community College catalog.

The basic law enforcement training certification does not last indefinitely. Graduates must be hired or “sworn-in” by a law enforcement agency within 12 months from their graduation date, or the certification will expire. Anyone who does not maintain a “sworn” status with an agency for a period of 12 months will see their BLET certification expire. BLET must be taken again in its entirety for re-certification.

Eligibility

A Felony Conviction is an absolute disqualification from certification as a North Carolina Law Enforcement Officer or enrollment into Basic Law Enforcement Training for life. Individuals charged with crimes as specified above and such offenses were dismissed or the person was found not guilty, may be admitted into the Basic Law Enforcement Training Course but completion of the course will not ensure that certification as a law enforcement officer through the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission will be issued. These cases will be reviewed by North Carolina Criminal Justice Education Training and Standards Division on a case-by-case basis.

Please note as well that the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education Training and Standards Division does not recognize correspondence or on-line high school diplomas. Only a regular high school diploma or GED diploma will meet this requirement. High school diplomas obtained through “home school” programs certified through the North Carolina Department of Education do meet this requirement. It is also important to know that vocational diplomas or high school certificates also do not meet the minimum educational requirements.

Out-of-state transferees will be evaluated to determine the amount and quality of their training and experience. At a minimum, out-of-state candidates must have two years of full-time, sworn law enforcement experience and have successfully completed a basic law enforcement training course accredited by the state from which they are transferring in order to be considered for transfer to a North Carolina law enforcement agency. Out-of-State transferees cannot have a break in service exceeding one year. Persons who have completed training as a federal law enforcement officer or a military police officer will be required to complete the Commission-accredited BLET in its entirety and successfully pass the state comprehensive examination prior to employment. previous training, classes, or academy experiences from another state will not transfer nor count toward a N.C. BLET certification.

To receive the certificate, you are required to complete 640 mandated hours across 16 weeks and must successfully complete and pass all units of study, the Police Officer Physical Abilities Test (POPAT) course, and the state certification examination mandated by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. No excused absences (e.g. for weddings, etc.) will be permitted while enrolled in the program. Once you decide to enroll in this course, it needs to be your priority in order to be successful. Prior preparation on your part is of paramount importance. You will need to get all your personal issues in order prior to enrolling.

Registration

You cannot register for this course during the regular college registration. You must attend a preliminary interview before being admitted into the program. Prospective candidates must contact Markitta Garner at 704.330.4110 to set up an appointment for a preliminary interview. Once all entry requirements are met, you will be added to the roster for the course. Your actual registration will be completed on the first day of orientation. The Basic Law Enforcement Training Manuals and textbooks are updated on a regular basis; therefore, you will need the latest version for class in order to adequately prepare for the State Comprehensive Examination.

Classes and labs are held on the Merancas Campus.

You cannot register for this course during the regular college registration. You must attend a preliminary interview before being admitted into the program. Prospective candidates must contact Markitta Garner at 704.330.4110 to set up an appointment for a preliminary interview. Once all entry requirements are met, you will be added to the roster for the course. Your actual registration will be completed on the first day of orientation. 

Training is offered during the day on weekdays only. Courses available and their schedules can change each semester. Check the basic law enforcement training program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements each semester.

Please note that the basic law enforcement training certification does not last indefinitely. Graduates must be hired or “sworn-in” by a law enforcement agency within 12 months from their graduation date, or the certification will expire. Anyone who does not maintain a “sworn” status with an agency for a period of 12 months will see their BLET certification expire. BLET must be taken again in its entirety for re-certification.

Visit Central Piedmont’s Career Coach for detailed basic law enforcement training career opportunities, salary information, and job openings.

Central Piedmont provides real-world, affordable, hands-on education and career training. Learn how much it costs to attend Central Piedmont . There is no standardized financial aid available for this course other than V.A. benefits, agency sponsorship, and the WIA (Workforce Investment Act) program.

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