About the Jail Officer Certification Program

What is the purpose of certification?

Certification is part of a process called credentialing and focuses specifically on the individual. It provides documented evidence to the public that the individual has been examined by an independent professional organization and found to possess current competency in his/her field. Certification documents the mastery of a strong level of knowledge in the specialty. It provides a form of recognition and achievement, indicating to one's peers that the individual has taken the time and effort, beyond job experience, to learn the Body of Knowledge, thus exhibiting a significant commitment to working in the profession. 

Who is eligible to apply to become a Certified Jail Officer?

Anyone who has been employed full time, for a minimum of two (2) years, as a jail officer. Candidates are required to agree to, and adhere to the American Jail Association Code of Ethics.

Who qualifies as a Jail Officer?

A person (sworn or civilian) who supervises individuals incarcerated in jails; and/or a person (sworn or civilian) who is in charge of those who supervise indiduals incarcerated in jails.

How can I become a Certified Jail Officer?

Apply by obtaining the CJO Handbook for Candidates and Application from AJA headquarters or by downloading them from AJA's web site. Qualified candidates must then take, and pass, the Jail Officer Certification examination. Eligible candidates who pass the certification examination for Jail Officers will be certified for a period of four years and are permitted to use the CJO designation. 

How much will the Certification process cost?

There is a nonrefundable application fee of $45 for AJA members and $95 for nonmembers. The application fee must be submitted with the application. The examination fee for candidates who are eligible to sit for the exam is $175. 

The test is administered electronically by LaserGrade during a two-week window in the spring and fall of each year. LaserGrade offers over 600 testing sites nationwide and you can find the site nearest you by visiting their web site at www.LaserGrade.com. A written test may also be offered once a year during AJA's Annual Conference & Jail Expo.

How can I find out more about the CJO program?

Click here     to go to the CJO Handbook for Candidates 

Click here    to go the the CJO Resource List

Click here    for Examination Dates, Testing Center
                  Locations, and Application Deadlines
 

Certification lasts for a period of four years. To retain the Certified Jail Officer designation, you must recertify by either Training Hour Accumulation or Re-examination. If you choose to recertify by the Training Hour Accumulation method, you must accumulate 80 hours of correctional training between the day the examination was taken (or from the last date of recertification) and the time of application for recertification. There is NO REQUIREMENT for re-examination. 

How much will the recertification process cost?

The fee for recertification through Training Hour Accumulation is $45 for AJA Members and $95 for nonmembers. If you choose to retake the examination, the examination fee is $175.

How can I find out more about the CJO recertification process?

Apply by obtaining the CJO Handbook for Candidates and Recertification Application from AJA headquarters or by downloading them from AJA's web site. 

Click here    to go to the CJO Handbook for Candidates 

How can I obtain the necessary application forms for the CJO recertification process?

Click here    to go to the CJO Recertification Application 

Click here    for CJO Expiration Dates &
                  Recertification Application Deadlines

I am currently a CJO and interested in submitting potential test questions for the CJO examination. What is the procedure for writing test questions?

  Click here    to go to the Item Developers Guide

The form needed to submit questions can be found in Section 2 of the Recertification Application.