Kentucky POST Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Age: Generally at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment as a peace officer.
• Education: High school diploma or GED at minimum; some agencies require college coursework or a degree.
• Citizenship: U.S. citizen.
• Driver license: Valid driver’s license (often a Kentucky license by hire date) with an acceptable driving history.
• Criminal history: No felony convictions and no disqualifying misdemeanors under Kentucky law or DOCJT/POST rules; must be eligible under state and federal firearms laws.
• Other requirements:
  • Pass a comprehensive background investigation including criminal history, employment, and character references.
  • Pass a medical exam and psychological evaluation confirming fitness to perform essential law enforcement duties.
  • Pass drug screening as required by the hiring agency.
  • Meet physical fitness standards for academy admission set by the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) or employing agency.
  • Successfully complete the DOCJT Basic Training course (or other approved academy) and any required field training.
  • Maintain compliance with Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC) standards for certification and in-service training.

Physical Fitness Standards

Kentucky DOCJT requires applicants to pass a Physical Readiness Test with specific performance standards for events like running, sit-ups, and push-ups before entering Basic Training; higher performance may be required for graduation.

• 1.5-mile run within a time limit scaled by age and sex.
• One-minute push-up event measuring upper-body strength and endurance.
• One-minute sit-up event measuring core endurance.
• Additional functional tasks or agility events, depending on current DOCJT standards.

DOCJT publishes detailed numeric standards and testing procedures; agencies may also conduct their own pre-hire fitness testing. Candidates should consult the latest DOCJT Physical Readiness Test documentation and train accordingly.

Academy Training Requirements

Minimum academy hours: 800

Kentucky’s DOCJT Basic Training for new municipal, county, and state peace officers is an intensive academy of roughly 800+ hours, typically delivered over about 20–24 weeks. The curriculum covers Kentucky criminal and traffic law, patrol procedures, defensive tactics, firearms, driving, investigations, response to resistance/use of force, ethics, communication, and scenario-based training. Kentucky also mandates substantial in-service training for certified officers.

Reference: Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) – Basic Training program; nationwide minimum training hours memo listing Kentucky’s basic training minimum at approximately 800 hours.

Reciprocity / Lateral Entry

Kentucky provides mechanisms for recognizing out-of-state, federal, or military law enforcement training through equivalency and waiver evaluations managed by DOCJT and the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council.

• Submit documentation of prior basic academy training and law enforcement experience for DOCJT/KLEC review.
• If training is deemed substantially equivalent, complete any required Kentucky-specific law, firearms, or skills courses.
• Pass required examinations or proficiency tests to achieve Kentucky certification.
• Meet all Kentucky minimum selection standards, including background, medical, psychological, and continuing training requirements.

Waivers and equivalency are not automatic and are reviewed individually. Officers should consult current DOCJT and KLEC guidance for the latest reciprocity procedures and eligibility criteria.

POST Contact Information

Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT)
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475
Phone: 859-622-1328
Website: https://docjt.ky.gov

Official POST Requirements:
https://docjt.ky.gov/basic-training.html