Register for Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training

Basic Training Schedule 2025: Coming soon

The Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Basic Training Academy consists of 760 hours of training.  Attendees must be either an elected or appointed sheriff or employed as a deputy sheriff in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Registrations are submitted electronically in the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Information System (SDSIS).  As a pre-requisite to being enrolled in the Academy, all sheriffs/deputy sheriffs are required to be certified in First Aid Training and CPR Training.  Attendees are also required to be medically cleared by a licensed physician, as documented on the Physical Form.  In addition, all attendees are required to pass an entrance physical fitness test that is administered the first day of the training academy.  Failure to pass the entrance fitness test will result in immediate dismissal from the academy.

Topics of instruction include:  Introduction to the Academy and Cognitive Command (C2), Unified Court System of Pennsylvania, Civil Law and Procedure, Crimes and Offenses, Criminal Procedure, Motor Vehicle Code, Use of Force, Communications, Cultural Diversity, Ethics, Physical Conditioning, Firearms, Flying While Armed, Defensive Tactics, Security, IS 100 LE Incident Command, NIMS 700A, Hazardous Materials, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Patrol Operations, Crisis Management, Role of the First Responder, Standard Field Sobriety Testing, Sobriety Check Points, Tactical First Aid, Emergency Vehicle Operations, and Competency Skills Training.

Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs shall attain at least the minimum score established by the Board on written tests designed for each topic area, shall demonstrate proficiency in all practical skills, and successfully pass the physical fitness test in order to successfully complete training and be certified by the Board.

Basic Training Schedule 2025: Coming soon

Act 1984-2 (PDF) (with Amendments) gives the Board discretion, with the review and approval of the Commission, to set criteria allowing a reduction of training hours for sheriffs and deputy sheriffs with requisite prior education, training or experience

The Board may grant a partial waiver of training upon application by a sheriff/deputy sheriff who meets one of the following categories:

• Successfully completed a recognized Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) Act 120 basic training course as documented by a copy of grade transcripts and certification of completion from Act 120 Academy.
• Experienced as a municipal police officer in Pennsylvania as documented by a copy of either current or past MPOETC certification card and a letter from a current or former department verifying employment and status upon separation.
• Employment as a Pennsylvania State Police Officer as documented by a copy of academy graduation certificate and notice of retirement.
  

Class Waiver Applications are submitted online through the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Information System (SDSIS).  The following information is required: 

• a current nationally recognized basic first aid certification card.
• a current nationally recognized CPR certification card. (Child, Infant, and Adult)
• a current (within one year of the date of the application) police firearms range qualification certificate with score, level of proficiency, and signature and certification number of firearms instructor who conducted the qualification.
  

A sheriff/deputy sheriff who is granted a partial waiver of basic training is required to undergo a basic training waiver course of 80 hours, which consists of 40 hours of on-line training and 40 hours of residential training.