CDCR Peace Officer
Career Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying- When can I apply for a Correctional Officer (CO), Youth Correctional Counselor (YCC), and Youth Correctional Officer (YCO) with CDCR?
- How will OPOS contact me about scheduling appointments, additional information needed and academy offers, etc.?
- Where can I acquire a form to apply for the Veterans Preference Credits?
- Can you send me an application?
- Courses I can take to enhance my Peace Officer Career
- How long is my application good for?
- Can I transfer to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation directly from a police or sheriff's department?
- Can I choose the prison I want to work at?
Selection Process
- If I have been assigned a background investigator, can I contact them?
- Can I reschedule my written test?
- Can I reschedule my Physical Abilities Test (PAT)?
- If I fail my written test, when can I reapply?
- Why does the hiring process take so long?
- What are the typical steps?
- Is there an accelerated testing process for candidates in the military or who are from out of state?
- If my eyesight has been surgically corrected, will I be eligible to go through the selection process?
- How can I prepare for the Physical Abilities Test (PAT)?
Academy
- Where can I find out which institutions are hiring?
- I am finished with the selection / testing process, what is the next step?
- How long is the Basic Correctional Officer Academy?
- Do I get paid while I am in the academy?
- How long does the selection process take from the time of application to the time a candidate is ready for hire
Compensation
Promotional Opportunities
Testing for the above CDCR entry level peace officer positions is open periodically through the year. Prospective candidates can register to be notified via email of the next open testing date on the www.joincdcr.com web site at Email Notification. An open testing date would also be mentioned under Updates on the www.joincdcr.com web site.
Email Communication
Candidates are required to have an email account. All notification from OPOS will be sent to your email address. This includes appointments for any of the other selection components. We are not going to check for you to confirm what email address is on file. Please ensure your email is not set up with Pop Up Blocker because when we send the Academy packets for those that get hired it is a large file and will be blocked if you have the pop up blocker feature set on your email. If you have no access to an email account, you may visit any public library and establish a free email account from Yahoo, Google or any other email system. For those that do not have an email on file, we will mail your correspondence to your mailing address. Additionally, if your email is returned undeliverable at any time when we are corresponding with you, we will mail you the notification to your mailing address.
Where can I acquire a form to apply for the Veterans Preference Credits?
Please visit the State Personnel Board's internet site at: www.spb.ca.gov to get a Form SPB-1093.
Can you send me an application?
The application is an online process via the State Personnel Board at www.joincdcr.com
Courses I can take to enhance my Peace Officer Career
If you have not completed a degree program you should look for the following job related courses to be included in a program of your choice:
- Introduction to Corrections
- Correctional Writing
- Concepts of Criminal Law
- Correctional Interviewing and Counseling
- Control and Supervision in Corrections
- Legal Aspects of Corrections
PC 832 Arrest, Search & Seizure (Classroom Instruction Certificate)
PC 832 Firearms Familiarization (Weapon Qualification Certificate)
How long is my application good for?
Two years from the date when you have passed your written test.
The Department does not accept direct "lateral" transfers from other law enforcement agencies; however, having prior law enforcement experience may be an advantage for some candidates as they go through the selection process.
Can I choose the prison I want to work at?
Our Officers are offered employment at locations with the greatest hiring need at the time of hire; whenever possible, candidates are assigned to institutions close to their homes.
If I have been assigned a background investigator, can I contact them?
If you have been assigned to a background investigator, you may contact them to update information on employment, any legal issues, major life changes or other background related process issues.
If you have questions regarding the background process but have not been assigned a background investigator, you may contact the Background Office within your region. Please visit our website at: www.cdcr.ca.gov/Contact Us.Can I reschedule my written test?
Written Examination date and time cannot be rescheduled. Candidates that do not appear for the written examination will be disqualified and will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date.
Can I reschedule my Physical Abilities Test (PAT)?
The Physical Abilities Test date and time cannot be rescheduled. Candidates that do not appear for the PAT will be disqualified and will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date.
If I fail my written test, when can I reapply?
Candidates that fail the written examination will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date.
Why does the hiring process take so long?
Civil Service law requires that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation administer competitive examinations for all qualified applicants based on each applicant’s education, work and legal history. California Government Code Section 1031 and Penal Code Section 13601 outline additional requirements for peace officers, where candidates must pass drug screenings, physical tests, psychological exams, and medical exams, and thorough background investigations before being hired. All of these steps take time. (Selection Process Overview).
Applicants apply online; if they meet the minimum requirements they are scheduled to take the written exam. Applicants who pass the written exam then take the written component of the Peace Officer Psychological Evaluation and are then scheduled for their Physical Abilities Test. Once candidates pass the Physical Abilities Test, they are fingerprinted and undergo a thorough background investigation. They will be contacted at a later date by a Background Investigator and scheduled for a Pre-Investigatory interview. At the conclusion of the background investigation, interviews with psychologists are scheduled and medical examinations are set up. Once these steps are cleared, candidates are placed on the certification list.
Is there an accelerated testing process for candidates in the military or who are from out of state?
The Department does not offer accelerated testing to accommodate one group of candidates over another. However, the Department does conduct testing throughout the state at its testing centers (Sacramento, Fresno, Rancho Cucamonga).
If it has been less than 12 months from the date of your refractive eye surgery, do not apply as you will be disqualified. If it has been over 12 months from the date of your refractive eye surgery you can apply, you need to download the Peace Officer Vision Verification form at www.joincdcr.com, have it completed by your eye doctor and bring the completed form to your Physical Abilities Test (PAT) appointment. Failure to provide the completed form at the PAT will result in you being rescheduled to take the PAT at a later date. Click here for additional information regarding soft contact lenses and corrective surgery.
How can I prepare for the Physical Abilities Test (PAT)?
Engage in a physical fitness program designed to improve flexibility, muscular strength and cardio-respiratory endurance. Click here for additional information on how to prepare for the Physical Abilities Test.
Where can I find out which institutions are hiring?
The hiring needs change continuously. We will post where we are hiring when we are filling an academy.
I am finished with the selection / testing process, what is the next step?
Your name will be placed on the certification list. Candidates are not guaranteed an academy offer at any time while on the certification list.
How long is the Basic Correctional Officer Academy?
Sixteen weeks.
Do I get paid while I am in the academy?
Yes, you will be compensated at rate of $3,050 per month.
The selection process take approximately 12 months. This is consistent with other law enforcement agency hiring processes.
The starting pay for the basic Correctional Officer is $3,774 per month.
The starting pay for the basic Youth Correctional Officer is $3,774 per month.
The starting pay for the basic Youth Correctional Counselor is $4,142 per month.
The starting pay for the basic Parole Agent I is $5,285.
Promotions from the Correctional Officer / Youth Correctional Officer classification typically follow this chain of command:
- Correctional Sergeant
- Correctional Lieutenant
- Correctional Captain
- Facility Captain
- Correctional Administrator (Associate Warden)
- Chief Deputy Warden
- Warden
Other CDCR peace officer series include:
For more information on Peace Officer career opportunities, call our TOLL-FREE telephone number at (866) 232-JOBS (5627) to speak with our Customer Service Staff, or visit our Customer Service page, by clicking this link.
For more information regarding other CDCR employment opportunities, please contact our Department's other recruitment units:
For information about other jobs with the State of California, pleast visit www.spb.ca.gov.
