CA AB992

Starting January 1, 2031, California peace officers must obtain an associate's degree, bachelor's degree, modern policing degree, or professional policing certificate within 36 months of receiving their basic POST certificate

Peace officers with less than 8 years of prior experience as sworn officers from another state or military service receive 48 months to complete the education requirement; those with 8+ years of such experience are exempt

The modern policing degree requires at least 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) covering communications, psychology, writing, ethics, and criminal justice; the professional policing certificate requires at least 16 semester units (or 24 quarter units) in the same subjects

Coursework from POST-certified academy training, military training, or prior law enforcement training may count toward degree or certificate requirements

Exemptions apply to officers employed by the Department of State Hospitals, those enrolled in a basic academy or employed as peace officers as of December 31, 2030, and certain custodial facility employees