1. A. Required training for certified status. The Board shall not certify and an individual shall not perform the duties of a peace officer until the individual successfully completes basic training as follows:

   1. 1. Comprehensive examination. To be certified as a full-authority peace officer, an individual shall complete the Board-approved full-authority peace officer basic training course, specified in R13-4-116, at an academy and pass all sections of the CE.

      1. a. The Board shall ensure all sections of the CE are administered in a secure manner.
      2. b. The Board shall ensure all sections of the CE are administered at appropriate intervals throughout the full-authority peace officer basic training course. The Board shall ensure the last section of the CE is administered during the final two weeks of the full-authority peace officer basic training course.
      3. c. An individual passes the CE by achieving a score of at least 70 percent on each section of the CE when each section is scored separately.
      4. d. An individual who fails a section of the CE may retake the failed section within seven days of the original examination date if the individual remains appointed by the original appointing agency or enrolled in the academy.
      5. e. An individual who fails a retake of a section of the CE, as described in subsection (A)(1)(d), may pursue certification only by repeating the Board-approved full-authority peace officer basic training course.

   2. 2. Scenarios. To be certified as a full-authority peace officer, an individual shall complete the Board-approved full-authority peace officer basic training course, specified in R13-4-116, at an academy and demonstrate skills by passing a series of scenarios.

      1. a. The Board shall ensure each scored scenario is marked as either pass or fail.
      2. b. An individual who fails a scenario may immediately take a remedial scenario involving the same skill.
      3. c. An individual who fails a remedial scenario may pursue certification only by repeating the Board-approved full-authority peace officer basic training course.
   3. 3. To be certified as a specialty peace officer, an individual shall complete a Board-prescribed specialty peace officer basic training course or the Board-approved full-authority peace officer basic training course, specified in R13-4-116, at an academy and pass all sections of the CE prescribed under subsection (A)(1) that are relevant to the duties of a specialty peace officer.
2. B. Exceptions. The training requirement in subsection (A) is waived when an agency uses an individual during a field training program that is a component of a basic training program at an academy, and the individual is under the direct supervision and control of a certified peace officer.
3. C. Firearms training required. Unless otherwise specified in this Section, a peace officer shall complete the firearms qualification courses required in R13-4-116(E) before the peace officer carries a firearm in the course of duty.

4. D. Waiver of required training.

   1. 1. An agency, on behalf of an individual, may apply to the Board for a waiver of required training if:

      1. a. The individual’s certified status is lapsed;
      2. b. The individual has functioned in the capacity of a peace officer in another state, graduated from a Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy, and worked for at least one year as a peace officer; or
      3. c. The individual graduated from a federal law enforcement academy, worked for at least one year as a law enforcement officer, and meets the requirement under subsection (D)(2)(e)(i).

   2. 2. The Board shall review the application and grant a waiver of required training if the Board determines that the best interests of the law enforcement profession are served, the public welfare and safety are not jeopardized, and:

      1. a. The appointing agency submits to the Board written verification of the individual’s previous experience and training on a form prescribed by the Board;
      2. b. The individual meets the minimum qualifications listed in R13-4-105;
      3. c. The individual complies with the requirements of R13-4-103(E)(1);
      4. d. The appointing agency complies with the requirements of R13-4-106(C);

      5. e. The individual successfully completes an examination measuring the individual’s comprehension of the Board-approved full-authority peace officer basic training course as follows:

         1. i. If the individual has experience as a certified peace officer for a federal law enforcement agency, submits to the Board basic training and in-service training records that the Board determines demonstrate substantial comparability to Arizona’s Board-approved full-authority peace officer basic training course, and passes all sections of the CE; and
         2. ii. If the individual’s certification is lapsed, the individual shall pass all sections of the CE; and
         3. iii. Applicable provisions in subsection (A)(1) apply to this subsection; and
      6. f. In addition to the examination required under subsection (D)(2)(e), the individual demonstrates proficiency in the areas of physical conditioning, vehicle operations, pursuit operations, and firearms, including firearms qualifications, as required under R13-4-116(E).
5. E. Required inspections. Before an agency provides the Board-approved full-authority peace officer basic training course, Board staff shall conduct an onsite inspection to ensure the agency is equipped to assess peace officer physical conditioning, vehicle and pursuit operations, and firearms use. Following the inspection, Board staff shall provide the agency with an inspection report identifying any deficiencies and necessary corrective action.
6. F. This Section is effective six months after filing with the Secretary of State as required by A.R.S. § 41-1823(A).

Historical Note

Adopted effective March 23, 1989 (Supp. 89-1). References to “Council” changed to “Board” (Supp. 94-3). Amended effective October 20, 1995; filed with the Secretary of State April 20, 1995 (Supp. 95-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 8 A.A.R. 3201, effective January 11, 2003 (Supp. 02-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 12 A.A.R. 331, effective July 10, 2006 (Supp. 06-1). Amended by final rulemaking a 22 A.A.R. 555, filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on February 8, 2016; effective six months after the date filed in accordance with A.R.S. § 1823 (Supp. 16-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 26 A.A.R. 2745, effective six months after filing with the Secretary of State as required under A.R.S. § 41-1823(A); filed October 7, 2020, effective date April 7, 2021 (Supp. 20-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 28 A.A.R. 1044 (May 20, 2022), effective six months after filing with the Secretary of State as required under A.R.S. § 41-1823(A); filed May 4, 2022, effective date November 4, 2022 (Supp. 22-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 31 A.A.R. 924 (March 28, 2025), effective six months after filing with the Secretary of State as required under A.R.S. § 41-1823(A); filed March 5, 2025, effective date September 5, 2025 (Supp. 25-1).