Certification Process
Submission of Applicant Fingerprints to the State Bureau of Investigation:
All applicant fingerprints (two cards) musts be submitted directly to the
N. C. State Bureau of Investigation before applying for certification. The
SBI will forward a fingerprint card to the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
who will reply back to the SBI. The search results will then be mailed back
to the Criminal Justice Standards Division where they will be entered into
the Commission's database and mailed back to the employing agency. All fingerprint
responses musts be received by this office within the officer's probationary
year in order for the officer to receive General Certification.
Probationary/General Certification:
Once a Report of Appointment/Application for Certification (Form F-5A) has
been received and approved, a Probationary or General Certification is mailed
to the employing law enforcement agency. All certifications must be mailed
back to the Criminal Justice Standards Division within 10 days from the date
that the officer is administered the oath of office. The top copy of the particular
certification should be mailed back to the Standards Division and the bottom
copy should be maintained in the agency's personnel files.
Extending a Probationary Certification:
Under the proper circumstances, a Probationary Certification can be extended
beyond one year. The Chief of Police or his/her representative should submit
a letter of request to the Criminal Justice Standards Division prior to the
expiration date on the Probationary Certification. Please include the officer's
name, social security number and the reason for the extension. By rule, Probationary
Certifications can be extended for up to six months.
Who May Administer the Oath of Office: (G.S. 11-7.1)
- A judge, justice, magistrate, clerk, assistant clerk, or deputy clerk
of the General Court of Justice, a retired justice or judge of the General
Court of Justice, or any member of the federal judiciary;
- The Secretary of State;
- A notary public;
- A register of deeds;
- A mayor of any city, town, or incorporated village;
- The chairman of a committee of the House or Senate of the General Assembly,
or either of the co-chairmen of a joint committee;
- The clerk of any county, city, town or incorporated village.
When an applicant has a criminal record, he/she must list ALL charges, regardless of the disposition or the date of the charge, on both the Personal History Statement (link to form F-3) and the Report of Appointment/Application for Certification (link to form F-5A). Even if a charge was dismissed by the court or the district attorney, it still must be listed under the Criminal Offense Record section of these forms. Every charge listed must be accompanied by true/certified copies of the warrant for arrest, citation/magistrate's order, etc. and the court disposition/judgment. This documentation may be obtained from the Clerk of Court's Office in the county in which the applicant was criminally charged.