Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation - Operations Manual

Chapter 3 – Personnel, Training, and Employee Relations

Article 18 – General Training

View All Sections >

32010.4 California State Training Program

February 17, 2026
  • The State Training Policy was developed in 1978 by the State Personnel Board and departmental training officers. Laws relating to training can be found in the Government Code (GCGovernment Code), sections 19995-19995.4.

  • Training Defined:
    The process whereby California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) employees, either individually or in groups, participate in a formalized, structured course of instruction to acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities for their current or future job performance. These organized activities shall contain measurable learning objectives that can be evaluated in a classroom setting or verified by completing On-the-Job Training or eLearning.

  • The Commission on Standards and Training (CPOST) was established under the California Penal Code (PCPenal Code), sections 13600 through 13603. CPOST shall review all training as defined in those sections. This includes newly implemented or current training that has been substantially revised which is utilized to change or modify the knowledge, skills, and abilities for rank-and-file state correctional peace officers, as well as first and second line state correctional peace officers.

  • Job-Required Training
    Job-required training is designed to ensure adequate performance in a current assignment. This includes orientation training made necessary by new assignments or technology, refresher training, and training mandated by law or other state authority.

  • Job-Related Training
    Job-related training is designed to increase job proficiency or improve performance above the acceptable level of competency established for a specific job assignment and prepares the employee to assume increased responsibilities in their current assignment.

  • Upward Mobility Training
    Designed to provide career movement opportunity for employees within classifications or job categories designated by the department as upward mobility classifications. Includes training to facilitate movement of employees from designated classifications into other classifications with increased career opportunities.

  • Career-Related Training
    Designed to assist in the development of career potential and is intended to help provide an opportunity for self-development and achievement of the department or state’s mission and may be unrelated to a current job assignment.

  • In-Service Training (ISTIn-Service Training)
    Any formalized instructor led training sponsored and conducted by any state agency or contracted vendor for the training and development of state employees.

  • Site Specific Training
    Training designed specifically to meet the needs of a particular group, facility, or office, and presented directly to local employees.

  • On-the-Job Training (OJTOn-the-Job Training)
    Formal training conducted by a supervisor (or a designated employee with the required expertise under the direction of a supervisor) at the job site, or in a classroom setting during the employee’s regular work hours.

  • eLearning
    Any training that can be delivered or accessed via computer utilizing the department’s training portal. eLearning shall not be utilized as the primary method of instruction for any kinesthetic-based instruction (i.e., physical training) including, but not limited to, methods of arrest or control, or procedures related to any use of force options.

  • Out of Service Training (OST)
    Any formal training which is sponsored by a non-state agency, and is open to the private sector, as well as state civil service employees. Sponsoring agencies maintain control over the course content for OST.

  • Correctional Peace Officer Apprenticeship Program (AP)
    The apprenticeship program is for all entry-level correctional peace officers that require the completion of a term of apprenticeship pursuant to the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST) Apprenticeship Operational Procedures guidelines including Correctional Officers, Correctional Counselor Is, Fire Captains, and Parole Agent Is. All rank-and-file peace officer job classifications listed above are apprentices unless they have already attained journey-level status in the same classification accepted by CPOST.