Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Certificate

Our Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) certificate program can give you the skills and knowledge needed to become an effective law enforcement officer with state, county, or municipal governments or private enterprises.

The BLET program utilizes state commission-mandated topics and methods of instruction. Coursework includes criminal, juvenile, civil, traffic, and alcohol beverage laws; investigative, patrol, custody, and court procedures; emergency responses; and ethics and community relations. Modifications may be made to in order to comply with accrediting agency rules and regulations. BLET students must meet mandated attendance requirements.

To receive the BLET certificate, students must successfully complete and pass all units of study, including the certification examination mandated by the N.C. Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the N.C. Sheriff’s Education Training Standards Commission.

Admission Requirements

A candidate for BLET admission must meet these Commission Standards and supply appropriate paperwork to the school director prior to the first day of class:

• BLET Interview conducted by the program director prior to registration
• Citizen of the United States (copy of birth certificate or citizenship paperwork)
• 20 years of age (19 if age 20 is reached before course completion and with prior Commission approval)
• Possess a minimum 10th grade reading level (using approved test)
• High School Diploma or GED (diplomas earned through correspondence enrollment are not recognized towards educational requirements)
• Valid driver’s license (copy)
• Documentation of military background (if applicable)
• Criminal/arrest history (certified criminal record check for local and state records for the time period since the trainee has become an adult and from all locations where the trainee has resided since becoming an adult, in both married and maiden names [required]. An Administrative Office of the Courts criminal record check or a comparable out-of-state criminal record check will satisfy this requirement.)
• Medical examination (medical examination report, properly completed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina, a physician’s assistant, or a nurse practitioner, to determine the individual’s fitness to perform the essential job functions of a criminal justice officer)

Based on the guidelines of the North Carolina Department of Justice, Criminal Justice Standards Division, applicants may be denied entry into the BLET Program.

Skills You’ll Learn

The Basic Law Enforcement Training program is focused on job-related skills in the following areas:

• Understanding North Carolina criminal and constitutional law and civil process appropriate to an entry-level law enforcement officer
• Displaying the physical ability necessary to perform the duties of an entry-level law enforcement officer
• Demonstrating the mental capacity to perform the duties of an entry-level law enforcement officer

Career Opportunities

There are many employment opportunities for Basic Law Enforcement Training graduates, including:

• Company or private police/security
• Correctional officer
• County sheriff’s offices
• Police officer (municipal police departments)
• State law enforcement