Fla. Admin. Code R. 63H-3.003 (2026)
Academy Certification Training for State Detention and Probation Direct Care Staff
(1) In addition to the training requirements in Rule 63H-3.002, F.A.C., all state detention and probation direct care staff, facility administrators, and circuit administrators shall complete Academy training within 180 calendar days of hire. Academy training shall be a minimum of 120 hours for detention direct care staff and facility administrators. Academy training shall be a minimum of 160 hours for probation direct care staff and circuit administrators. Academy training shall be conducted at an academy. The coursework shall be designed to enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities related to job performance. A certification exam will be administered at the end of the Academy training.
(2) Certification testing requirements for certification are as follows:
(a) A passing score of at least 75 percent on all web-based courses.
(b) Successful completion of RI testing and evaluation requirements as outlined in this rule. State circuit administrators are exempt from Right Interactions certification.
(c) Successful completion of all written, web-based, and practical requirements for CPR/First Aid/AED training.
(d) A minimum score of 75 percent on the certification examination.
1. Staff may be given up to three attempts to pass the certification examination within the 180-day timeframe.
2. Staff failing the certification examination are required to attend remediation, which must be documented in the department’s learning management system, SkillPro.
3. Staff shall adhere to the following schedule for second and third attempts to pass the certification examination.
a. The second attempt shall occur no less than seven (7) calendar days after, and no more than 45 calendar days after, the first attempt.
b. The third attempt shall occur no less than 14 calendar days after, and no more than 45 calendar days after, the second attempt.
c. If after the third attempt or after 180 calendars days of employment, whichever occurs first, the staff member has not successfully completed the requirements for certification, they shall be recommended for termination from their position. The staff member shall not be considered direct care staff and can no longer have contact with youth for the purposes of supervision, custody, or control. The staff shall not be considered for re-employment to the same job class for at least one year from the date of separation.
(3) Maintenance of Officer Certification is achieved through the completion of a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education credits (CECs) within each four-year cycle following the initial certification.
(a) An officer certification will be rendered inactive and expired upon failure to complete the required CECs and documentation submission on or before June 30th of the fourth year.
(b) Officers with inactive or expired certifications can no longer have contact with youth for the purposes of supervision, custody, or control until certification is reestablished.
(c) The Office of Talent, Leadership, and Culture shall administer and maintain records of continuing education compliance in accordance with this rule.
Rulemaking Authority 985.601, 985.645 FS. Law Implemented 985.02(3), 985.601, 985.645 FS. History–New 3-6-22, Amended 8-3-23, 9-25-25, 6-23-26.
Effective: 6/23/2026.