How to become a probation and parole officer in Florida
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) — Office of Community Corrections hires state probation and parole officers under the title Correctional Probation Officer. New probation and parole officers start at $45,760 a year. You must be at least 19.
Pay
| Starting salary | $45,760 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
FDC: 'Starting at $22/hour (pay increases to $23.14/hour post-certification)'; $22 × 2080 = $45,760; certified $23.14 × 2080 = $48,131. Annual additive of about $1,700 in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties and about $2,740 in Palm Beach, Broward, Dade and Monroe counties; $250 uniform/shoe allowance; Criminal Justice Incentive Pay up to $1,560/yr. New hires start as Correctional Probation Officer Trainees. No maximum of the range published on the page. FDC supervises felony probationers statewide (state-run probation).
Source:[fldocjobs.com]
Pay for this work across Florida
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in Florida, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 4,490 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $38,350 |
| Median pay | $50,960 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $64,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 19
- Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (F.S. 943.13 and F.A.C. 33-208.402)
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Valid driver's license
- No felony conviction or misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement (including pleas after July 1, 1981 regardless of withheld adjudication); no dishonorable discharge
- Pass a medical examination by a licensed physician
- Good moral character as determined by background investigation
- Disqualifiers include current firearm prohibition, currently on probation, domestic violence conviction, or an active warrant
Source:[fldocjobs.com]
Hiring process
- Apply through People First
- Complete the Supplemental and Willingness Questionnaire
- Background investigation (email notice when cleared, with the recruiter for the first-choice location)
- Hire as Correctional Probation Officer Trainee
- Complete the 562-hour Basic Correctional Probation Academy (paid)
- Pass the State Officer Certification Exam (SOCE)
Source:[fldocjobs.com]
Entrance exam
State Officer Certification Exam (SOCE). Certification exam taken after basic recruit training; pay rises from $22 to $23.14/hour after certification.[fldocjobs.com]
Academy
Length not published, paid. Basic Correctional Probation Academy is 562 hours (Correctional Officer crossover program 336 hours); held at Tallahassee State College's Florida Public Safety Institute (Havana) or Florida Corrections Academy sites (Deland, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale). FDC employees are paid while attending.[fldocjobs.com]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan — Special Risk Class
- Benefit formula: 3.00% × years of Special Risk service × average final compensation (eight highest fiscal years for members enrolled on/after July 1, 2011)
- When you can retire: Enrolled on/after July 1, 2011: vested with 8 years of special risk service and age 55, or 25 years of special risk service regardless of age
- Social Security: yes, you also pay in
FRS lists 'community-based correctional probation officers' in the Special Risk Class. Employee contribution 3.00% (2026-27). Members may choose the FRS Investment Plan instead. FRS SPD: 'Social Security coverage is also required for all members.'
Source:[frs.fl.gov]