Out-of-State / Equivalency

Too long didn't read (TLDR)

The officer must hold a current law enforcement certification in good standing from another state (or a federal/military jurisdiction). They may earn Mississippi certification through Equivalency Training OR by taking the state Law Enforcement Officer Equivalency Exam. To have your training and qualifications reviewed, you must submit the Application for Certification (Parts 1, 2 & 3). No basic academy is required if your prior training is equivalent and the equivalency exam is passed within 120 days of your application.

Not sure which path applies?

See the Certification Process overview for a decision guide.

Who qualifies

This path — Certification Based on Equivalency of Training — applies to an applicant who:

• Holds a current and valid law enforcement license/certification in good standing in another state, and has held it for at least one (1) year, and
• Completed an acceptable basic law enforcement training course (equivalent to, or exceeding, the Mississippi curriculum), and
• Meets all current Mississippi employment guidelines

It also covers officers transferring from a federal or military law enforcement jurisdiction.

This is not the Transfer / Rehire form

The Transfer / Rehire form is only for officers certified in Mississippi. An officer certified in another state — even one currently in good standing — uses the full Application for Certification (Parts 1, 2 & 3).

Eligibility conditions

For an officer from a state that licenses or certifies its officers, all of the following must be true:

1. The applicant holds a current, valid license in good standing in the other state, held for at least one year
2. The other state had minimum education requirements (and, if applicable, work experience, examination, and supervision requirements) in effect, and verifies the applicant met them
3. The applicant has not committed any act in the other state that would be grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license in Mississippi, and has no disqualifying criminal record under Mississippi law
4. The applicant did not surrender a license because of negligence or intentional misconduct
5. The applicant has no pending complaint, allegation, or investigation relating to unprofessional conduct or an alleged crime
6. The applicant passes the Mississippi jurisprudence examination

Officer from a state that doesn't certify its officers?

If the applicant worked in a state that does not issue a law enforcement license/certification, they can qualify on work experience instead — at least three (3) years of full-time law enforcement service — while still meeting conditions 3–6 above and passing the jurisprudence exam.

Training equivalency

The officer must have completed an acceptable basic law enforcement training course. Board staff compare the actual course completed to the Mississippi curriculum for the same period; it must equal or exceed Mississippi standards and have included written and hands-on examinations (minimum score of 70%).

• If the prior course's total hours are below the Mississippi curriculum, the officer must also have completed at least six (6) months of full-time law enforcement experience in the same jurisdiction where the training was completed.
• An officer without an acceptable basic course must complete the full basic academy to obtain certification.

The Mississippi Equivalency Exam

This is the key step that distinguishes the equivalency path:

Passing score	70% - (1.5 hour time limit)
Deadline	Must be passed within 120 days of the application date
If not passed in time	The officer must complete the refresher course at a Board-accredited academy (within 1 year for full-time / 2 years for part-time of the date of hire) and provide First Aid/CPR verification

Equivalency Exam Process

1. Out-of-state certification — Agency POC should confirm the officers certification is current and in good standing. The Board authenticates all documents submitted from another jurisdiction.
2. Applicant requests a portal account if they don't already have one — approval takes 12–24 hours; see the portal getting started guide
3. Applicant submits Parts 1 & 2 through the portal — personal information, background disclosures, and acknowledgments
4. POC completes Part 3 — agency information and your certification of the applicant's eligibility
5. Applicant provides documentation of prior training — copies of training certificates and, if requested by Board staff, the curriculum from the other jurisdiction
6. Submit to Standards & Training — within 30 days of the date of hire
7. Officer takes the jurisprudence exam — within 120 days of the application
8. Certification issued withtin 24 hours of a passing score; if the exam is not passed in time, the agency POC must coordinate with the applicant to have them attend a refresher academy

Standard employment guidelines still apply

As with any new hire, the agency must still complete a background investigation and a medical/psychological exam, and the officer must meet all minimum employment standards — current certification elsewhere does not waive these.

Your responsibilities as POC

• Verify and document the applicant's current out-of-state certification and prior basic training
• Direct the applicant to request a portal account if needed
• Complete Part 3 after the applicant submits Parts 1 & 2
• Submit the full application within 30 days of the date of hire
• Ensure the officer takes the jurisprudence exam within the 120-day window; coordinate the refresher academy if it is not passed in time

Key reminders

• This path uses the Application for Certification (Parts 1, 2 & 3) — not the Transfer / Rehire form
• The jurisprudence exam must be passed within 120 days of the application or the refresher course is required
• An officer without an acceptable equivalent basic course must complete the full basic academy
• Standard background and medical/psychological requirements still apply

See also: Certification Process — Overview | Transfer / Rehire | Re-certification | Uncertified Officers