National Certification Program
What is the IADLEST National Training Certification?
IADLEST has created a revolutionary program designed to eliminate many of problems associated with a lack of standardization within police training. The IADLEST National Certification Program (NCP) sets minimum standards for vendors providing police continuing education and ensures training content meets those quality standards. The standards are designed to meet or exceed any individual State certification requirements thus ensuring that IADLEST certified training will be accepted by all participating POST organizations in the Nation for training credit.
When did the National Certification Program launch?
On June 1st, 2015 the National Certification Program launched at the yearly IADLEST conference held in San Antonio, Texas. A panel of experts answered questions to help the audience understand this National Certification. The announcement and the panel were broadcast live on a webcast to and additional 250 people around the world which can be seen at https://vimeo.com/383343840.
Where is the webcast of the NCP launch?
You can find the webcast of the panel explaining the NCP at https://vimeo.com/383343840.
Policy Updates
On June 10, 2019, the IADLEST Executive Board met to discuss and revise the current policies surrounding how courses are housed online, how records will be maintained for officers, and how certified courses can utilize the IADLEST NCP seal for their Certificates of Completion and marketing efforts. To benefit as many providers as possible and to ensure training data is being collected for the officers’ portable training record, the following policies were discussed and approved.
Why should I submit my training materials for national certification?
Training providers and content developers should want to know their training materials have been reviewed by content and instructional design experts and are accepted on a national level by POST Directors throughout the United States, thus granting participating students the credit they desire to maintain their professional licensing requirements. Students will gain confidence in the provider’s courses and reputation as they choose from the myriad of criminal justice training programs being offered, both in a traditional classroom setting and electronically. In addition, law enforcement and other agency chief executives will have confidence in the training curriculum being offered which will inspire them to send their students to nationally certified training. Earning the IADLEST seal guarantees your product has met the nationally acclaimed best practices and will also help with your training program marketing strategy.
How do I submit materials for review?
Go to the Training Provider sign up page to get started. GET STARTED >>
What types of documents do I need to submit for review?
Providers, interested in having their training course reviewed, need to submit several documents so the reviewer can ensure your course meets IADLEST’s high standards.
Get a checklist of the required documents here: CHECKLIST >>
How long will the review process take?
Currently, your lesson content review should take less than 30 days. However, we can expedite your training request, if needed.
What does the National Training Certification process cost?
Currently, there is a $300 application fee for each course submitted. Additionally, there is a per training hour charge depending on the type of course being submitted:
- $185 per training hour for distance learning
- $85 per training hour for in-person training
This charge helps us pay to have your training program professionally reviewed and assessed for National Certification. Training receiving a passing score will receive the IADLEST seal of excellence.
How do I know my content is protected?
Prior to any requested reviews, all IADLEST reviewers sign agreements with clear “non-disclosure” clauses. The “non-disclosure” prohibits reviewers from disclosing or profiting from ANY information or content they receive as part of this program. Additionally, the end-user license agreement (EULA) on FirstForward prohibits unauthorized use or distribution of content.
How long is the certification valid?
National Certification is good for a period of two years.
How much is it to renew the certification after the two years?
The fee for renewal is the same as the initial fee to go through the certification process. See the costs above.
Can I market my course as IADLEST certified?
Yes! You can let everyone know your course is certified by IADLEST. This is a great way to tell potential customers your course will be accepted in their state. Find the guidelines for marketing here: IADLEST CERTIFIED >>
Are there other requirements for being certified?
Yes. The following list lays out a few more of the requirements: The National Certification Catalog will contain all IADLEST certified training.
- All IADLEST certified courses must be listed in the National Training Catalog, hosted on FirstForward®. All courses must include a name, description, and image while in-person and classroom courses must provide location, time, and a link for more information about the course.
- Online providers may host their content in the National Training Catalog on FirstForward® and they may also host IADLEST certified content on their own Learning Management System (LMS).
- All providers must have an account on FirstForward®, which provides the framework for the IADLEST National Training Catalog.
Portable Training Record will house all student records for completed training.
- The Portable Training Record, which provides a comprehensive and secure training record for all officers, is available at no cost. Uploading data and rosters are optional for training providers. However, it may still be advantageous for providers to offer their clients the use of this Portable Training Record.
- No fee will be charged for any certified course record uploaded to the Portable Training Record database. We believe providers have the power to provide an invaluable service to the industry by helping IADLEST create the most comprehensive and portable National Training Record for officers.
Do I have to pay to manage registration and diplomas for in-person courses?
While completing these activities in FirstForward is optional, training providers may opt to use the tools to manage registration and electronically confer diplomas in FirstForward. If a training provider chooses to use these tools, the associated fees will be waived for any NCP-certified course. To use these tools at no cost, please contact [email protected] to request a discount code.
Why should I sign up now?
By signing up, you will have access to the National Catalog and will be notified as new certified courses are ready. We will generally have several online and classroom based courses in some stage of the application or certification process, so being on the platform will be the best way to know when additional courses are IADLEST NCP certified. Also, actively participating will help to grow the program and help to truly make it a national certification.
Will I be able to assign courses to my employees from the catalog?
Yes. When you find a course which you would like your employees to take, you can assign the course directly from the catalog. After all of your employees are added to the platform, you will be able to select the individuals you would like to take the selected course.
What is this portable training record about?
An estimated 125,000 officers change jobs each year, and almost 20% of those move to a new state to accept their next employment. Both the officer and the out-of-state agencies endure administrative headaches that arise when re-evaluating training the officer has already completed. When an officer completes a course through the National Training Catalog, the outcome will automatically be added to the officer’s portable training record. This will save both time and money for everyone involved.
ssWhy should I become a training program reviewer?
Training program reviewers are the backbone of the IADLEST National Certification Program (NCP). This professional group is responsible for assessing the content and instructional strategies used in criminal justice training programs. Reviewers are professional, knowledgeable, experienced, and committed to ensuring the training programs submitted for review comply with national standards for training excellence.
What qualifications do I need to become a training program reviewer?
Reviewers are generally recognized as a state and/or national expert in a specific law enforcement/criminal justice subject or topic. They come from law enforcement training academies, colleges, universities, law enforcement agencies, correctional academies, public safety offices, or other investigative entities. Many are certified as court experts in their topic areas, experienced trainers, and instructional designers. They should have recognized content expertise and a significant background in criminal justice training, as well as three professional letters of recommendation attesting to reviewer’s specific areas of expertise. A recommendation from a state POST Director is highly desirable.
How do I become a training program reviewer?
Forward your resume and recommendation letters to the NCP Project Manager Andrew Birozy at:
How long will each review process take?
Currently, lesson content review generally takes less than 30 days. However, there are circumstances beyond our control that could delay the review process.
How are training program reviewers compensated?
Training reviewers are compensated a set amount for their review of both online and traditional classroom learning content.
Can I work as a training program reviewer on- or off-duty from my regular responsibilities?
You will need to check with your employer to make that decision. Many staff members review content on their own time, after hours and weekends, and are compensated by IADLEST for doing so. If your employer permits you to work on program content while doing your other work functions, then that is permissible; however, IADLEST cannot compensate you too. In other, words, you may not “double-dip” and get paid twice for the same hours.