jlw
11-28-2013, 01:57 PM
I stumbled across this Multi-State Program Approval Application (http://www.iadlest.org/Projects/NLEARN/ProgramApprovalApplication.aspx) last night. It supposedly is a one-stop-shop for getting POST/CLEET courses approved in 22 states. I can't verify its voracity.
I also had a discussion with another forum member concerning instructor certification and course approval, and now I am curious as to the standards and processes in other states.
In GA, the first step to instructor certification is to attend the Instructor Training (http://access.gpstc.org/catalog/calendar-coursedetail.jsp?gpstccode=MC0690) (IT) course. The course has a roughly 50% failure rate. For example, my class started with 17 and only 10 graduated although one of those dropped out due to a family emergency. The class before ours started with 16 and finished with six. After completing the course, the prospective instructor must do a "teach back" at one of the regional academies and get an endorsement from the academy. Once all of this is done, the individual gets recognized as a "general instructor" and can teach basic academic courses. Specialty topics such as firearms (http://access.gpstc.org/catalog/calendar-coursedetail.jsp?gpstccode=MC0973) and defensive tactics (http://access.gpstc.org/catalog/calendar-coursedetail.jsp?gpstccode=MC0007) require additional instructor level courses and result in specialty instructor certificates.
A certified instructor does not have to submit courses for pre-approval with POST. The instructor submits a course roster to POST after having taught the class and the students get credit.
There is a process where courses can be submitted on a case by case basis for pre-approval if the instructor is not certified by GA POST as an instructor. If any of our instructors here want to come to GA and teach, contact me, and I will send you the information on such approvals. Of course, if the link above works then have at it. :) I'm going to try submitting a course through it to see if it gets recognized by other states.
There are some pre-recognized substitutes for the courses at GPSTC. For instance, the NRA LE pistol and shotgun instructor courses are good to go for certification by POST as a firearms instructor. On the flip side, we have a Deputy who was a Trooper in Nevada. He was certified there as an instructor and a firearms instructor, but GA POST will not recognize these certifications as the courses were 40 hours each versus 80 hours here in GA.
I also had a discussion with another forum member concerning instructor certification and course approval, and now I am curious as to the standards and processes in other states.
In GA, the first step to instructor certification is to attend the Instructor Training (http://access.gpstc.org/catalog/calendar-coursedetail.jsp?gpstccode=MC0690) (IT) course. The course has a roughly 50% failure rate. For example, my class started with 17 and only 10 graduated although one of those dropped out due to a family emergency. The class before ours started with 16 and finished with six. After completing the course, the prospective instructor must do a "teach back" at one of the regional academies and get an endorsement from the academy. Once all of this is done, the individual gets recognized as a "general instructor" and can teach basic academic courses. Specialty topics such as firearms (http://access.gpstc.org/catalog/calendar-coursedetail.jsp?gpstccode=MC0973) and defensive tactics (http://access.gpstc.org/catalog/calendar-coursedetail.jsp?gpstccode=MC0007) require additional instructor level courses and result in specialty instructor certificates.
A certified instructor does not have to submit courses for pre-approval with POST. The instructor submits a course roster to POST after having taught the class and the students get credit.
There is a process where courses can be submitted on a case by case basis for pre-approval if the instructor is not certified by GA POST as an instructor. If any of our instructors here want to come to GA and teach, contact me, and I will send you the information on such approvals. Of course, if the link above works then have at it. :) I'm going to try submitting a course through it to see if it gets recognized by other states.
There are some pre-recognized substitutes for the courses at GPSTC. For instance, the NRA LE pistol and shotgun instructor courses are good to go for certification by POST as a firearms instructor. On the flip side, we have a Deputy who was a Trooper in Nevada. He was certified there as an instructor and a firearms instructor, but GA POST will not recognize these certifications as the courses were 40 hours each versus 80 hours here in GA.