How to become a corrections officer in North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (DAC), Division of Prisons hires state corrections officers under the title Correctional Officer (I, II, III). New officers start at $42,512 a year, rising to $55,317 after about 6 years. You must be at least 18.
Pay
| Starting salary | $42,512 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $55,317 |
| Years to top | 6 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-01 |
Legislated experience-based schedule (S.L. 2026-41, Sec. 41.15(b)). Figures are Correctional Officer I: 0 yrs $42,512 to 6+ yrs $55,317. CO II: $43,911-$57,136. CO III: $46,961-$61,108 (the statute does not tie the I/II/III levels to custody level). COs get schedule steps instead of the 3% across-the-board raise.
Source:[ncleg.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 18
- Education: High school diploma or GED, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen, or lawful permanent resident with 3 years of U.S. residency
- Eligible for certification by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission
- Valid driver's license
- Pass psychological testing, physical exam and drug screening
- Military applicants submit DD-214 (long form); National Guard also NGB-23A
Source:[dac.nc.gov]
Hiring process
- Online application and initial screening (age, diploma, license, citizenship)
- Background check (2-3 weeks)
- On-site interview and conditional offer
- Medical exam with drug and TB screening
- Regional Employment Office appointment (forms and documents)
- Psychological screening
- One-week facility orientation, then Basic Correctional Officer Training
Source:[dac.nc.gov]
Academy
6 weeks, paid. Basic Correctional Officer Training (BCOT), 6 weeks with overnight dorm stays, starting in the second week of employment; page also says 160 hours are required to sit for the state certification exam (70% to pass). No pre-hire written entrance exam listed.[dac.nc.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System of North Carolina (TSERS)
- Benefit formula: 1.82% of average final compensation (4 highest consecutive years) × years of creditable service
- When you can retire: Unreduced: age 65 with 5 years of membership service, age 60 with 25 years, or any age with 30 years; reduced: age 50 with 20 years or age 60 with 5 years; vested at 5 years
- Social Security: yes, you also pay in
Correctional officers are regular TSERS members (no separate LEO tier for prison officers found); formula source is the TSERS employer handbook.
Source:[myncretirement.gov]
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-23. Pay plans change; confirm with the employer before applying.