Renewal of Certification

Certifications remain active as long as you are employed as a certified Colorado Peace Officer as described in Title 16 Article 2.5 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, and for three years after leaving certified employment. You must renew your certification if you allow your certification to lapse, and wish to return to duty. Please note that becoming a reserve officer after you've received Basic Certification also keeps your certification in effect.

In most cases, any former Colorado peace officer who at one time possessed basic certification but who has not worked as a peace officer or reserve peace officer within the past three years, may apply for renewal of his or her basic certification. There is no time limit for certification renewal.

Certification renewal requires that you complete all paperwork, fingerprint card, and successfully complete the written certification and the three skills exams.

Renewal Certification Process

Please follow the instructions below to begin: 

Renewal Forms Packet

• Please print the Renewal Forms Packet. This packet contains all necessary forms to begin the Renewal process. Please read the intro letter carefully for more detailed information and requirements.
• Complete the necessary forms. If at all possible, please download and complete the fillable forms on the computer prior to printing for signatures.
• Scan and email (or fax or mail) pdf forms and other required documentation to POST at certification@coag.gov, the address below, or fax number 866-858-7486. Please do not send documents as jpegs.
• Do not send incomplete packets. Incomplete packets will not be accepted.

Background Check

Fingerprints must be submitted as part of the POST background check.  Even if you have submitted fingerprints to an agency as part of their hiring process, you must still submit fingerprints for the POST background process.  Review the Instructions for Submitting Fingerprints, and then complete the Fingerprint Card Order Form or go to one of the CBI-authorized CABS vendors.

Supplemental Materials

• Download and/or print the Supplemental Provisional/Renewal Materials Packet. This packet contains the Curriculum Bibliography, Study Recommendations, and Basic Academy Requirements for your convenience.
• Download and/or print the Skills Proficiency Manual. This manual gives detailed information on what to expect when demonstrating your proficiency in the skills areas.

Test Out

The one-day test out is given every other month. The test out includes both the written exam and skills exams. During the skills evaluation, the applicant must demonstrate proficiency in firearms, driving and arrest control by evaluation against POST proficiency standards for each skill. There is no instructional time during the test out. If you have not maintained your skills, we suggest you attend a refresher academy to reinforce your skills before being tested. See Exam Schedule for exam dates.

The test out is held at the Adams County Sheriff's Office FLATROCK Training Facility at 23600 E 128th Ave, Commerce City CO 80022.

The fee to test out is $125 for each of the three skills. The written exam fee is $150. Registration and advance payment of $525.00 is required in order to participate in the test out process.

Click here for information about making an online payment.  Certified checks, agency checks, or money orders may also be used as payment.  Cash or personal checks will NOT be accepted.

Basic certification will be renewed upon successful completion of the one-day test out, provided all other requirements have been met.

Refresher Academy

A Refresher academy is a two- or three-week academy that consists of both academics and skills training in firearms, driving and arrest control. The written exam is administered on the last day of the academy. If all requirements are met and the POST exam passed, the Basic certification will be renewed. Your original PID/certification numbers will be reactivated. No new certificate will be issued. You may print a copy of your renewed certificate through the POST portal. Your POST certificate will continue to have the same issue date as your first certification, but the expiration date will be active for 3 years after the renewal process has been completed. POST no longer issues PID cards.

Every person who possesses basic certification must update any change in his or her address or telephone number through the POST Portal. Any name change requires submission of a Form 5 - Change of Name with proof of name change.