Licensure - Public Safety Institute

Licensure Disclosures

Licensing as a law enforcement officer in Michigan must be approved through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). This happens when the following two requirements are met by the candidate: (1) compliance with MCOLES minimum selection standards which includes satisfactory completion of a basic police academy or recognition of prior training and experience, and (2) employment with a law enforcement agency as a law enforcement officer.

The Northern Michigan University Regional Police Academy provides students instruction in the 615 hour Basic Recruit Curriculum required by MCOLES. After successful completion of the NMU police academy recruits are eligible to take the MCOLES licensing exam. A recruit is required to achieve a score of 70%. Recruits are given two chances to pass the licensing exam. Once a recruit passes the exam they will be licensed once screened and hired by a law enforcement agency.

Twelve of the NMU credits taken to complete the academy can be applied to NMU's Associate of Applied Science Degree in law enforcement or as general elective credits in other undergraduate programs at NMU.

Recruits looking for employment outside the State of Michigan should check with the Law Enforcement licensing agency for that respective state. Reciprocal recognition of experience, training and licensing vary from state to state. NMU Regional Police Academy may qualify as all or partial recognition of training depending on the state.

NMU Regional Police Academy Education / Training Transfer State by State

The NMU Regional Police Academy training may partially transfer to other states, however, each state will make the determination once a recruit applies to that states police licensing authority. Additional education and training may be required. Other states may require on the job experience after the Police Academy prior to acceptance to another state.