FWC Law Enforcement

Become an FWC Law Enforcement Officer

Getting Started

Florida Sworn / Certified Law Enforcement Applicants

• Florida Sworn/Certified Law Enforcement applicants must start the selection process by completing both a State of Florida application and an FWC Supplemental Application by visiting peoplefirst.myflorida.com.
• The FWC supplemental application is filled out online and then printed.  The Supplemental Application provides the necessary information for the agency to conduct a thorough background investigation on qualifying applicants.
• The State of Florida application is filled out online and submitted electronically in People First. At that time the applicant must print out a copy of the application to be forwarded to FWC.
• A copy of the State of Florida application and the original FWC supplemental application, including all documents and tests, must be mailed together to FWC. (Applications are valid for one (1) year from date of receipt)
  • OUT-OF-STATE Sworn/Certified Law Enforcement Officers must become Florida Certified before beginning this process.  For more information contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
• After receipt of your completed applications, to include all requested documents, qualifying applicants will be invited to participate in a physical fitness assessment based on the Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research Standards.
• After successfully completing the physical assessment the applicant is scheduled for an oral interview by a review panel at the FWC Law Enforcement Training Center which is located at The Florida Public Safety Institute (FPSI) (formally Pat Thomas Academy) near Tallahassee.
• If selected by the review panel, a thorough background investigation is then conducted.
• Following a successful background investigation, selected applicants will be required to complete an extensive medical physical and psychological evaluation.
• At the conclusion of this process, selected applicants are offered employment and given a date to report to the FWC Law Enforcement Training Center for up to six weeks of agency specific training.  (Upon arrival at the FWC Law Enforcement Training Center applicants are again required to pass the physical fitness assessment.  Failure to do so will result in immediate withdrawal of the offer of employment.) This specialized training includes, but is not limited to:
  • Fish and wildlife conservation laws
  • Land navigation & GPS
  • Federal Fisheries Law Enforcement
  • Species I.D. (marine and wildlife)
  • Vessel accident investigation
  • Water safety survival
  • Man-tracking
  • Commercial fishing
  • Vessel operation
  • ATV training
• At the conclusion of the agency specific training, Officers report to their new assignment location and will be placed in a 14 week Field Training Officer Program.  This program is specifically designed to teach the unique requirements of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement.
• When the FTO Program is successfully completed, approval is given to carry out the daily duties of an FWC Officer.

Top of page