How to become a probation and parole officer in South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS) hires state probation and parole officers under the title Probation and Parole Law Enforcement Officer I (class code JC32, Probation and Parole Agent). New probation and parole officers start at $53,189 a year, rising to $60,500. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $53,189 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $60,500 |
Top = the ceiling of the LAW03 pay band (state classification reform, effective June 2, 2025), not a step. $55,317 to start if already certified.
Source:[admin.sc.gov]
Pay for this work across South Carolina
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in South Carolina, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 460 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $51,110 |
| Median pay | $56,780 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $84,710 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: A bachelor's degree with at least 15 semester hours in social or behavioral science courses; an associate's degree and two years of military or certified law enforcement experience (to include Class 1 or Offender Supervision Specialist experience) may be substituted; or a high school diploma and four years of military or certified law enforcement experience (to include Class 1 or Offender Supervision Specialist experience) may be substituted.
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Ability to meet C-1 (Class 1) law enforcement certification by the SC Criminal Justice Academy
- No conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and not subject to a domestic violence restraining order
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check, credit check, cybervetting and driving record check
- After conditional offer: drug screening, physical exam and psychological screening
- Must reside within the assigned county unless approved by the chain of command
Source:[sccja.sc.gov]
Hiring process
- Complete the online State Job Application
- Reading Comprehension Testing (Nelson-Denny Test)
- Interview
- Background investigation
- Medical examination
- Physical Ability Testing (PAT)
- Cybervetting, credit check and driving record check
- Psychological testing
- Drug testing
- Final hiring decision
Source:[ppp.sc.gov]
Entrance exam
Nelson-Denny Test (reading comprehension and vocabulary). Required for Probation and Parole Law Enforcement Officer I applicants; scheduled through SCDPPPS Human Resources (803-734-9220). Applicants bring application copy, certified college transcript, driver's license and SSN verification.[governmentjobs.com]
Academy
12 weeks. C-1 law enforcement certification requires 12 weeks sequestration at the SC Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia. Agents also complete the 2-week PPP Agent Basic Training Program at SCCJA, a 5-day firearms course, EVO, defensive tactics and arrest-scenario training.[governmentjobs.com]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: South Carolina Police Officers Retirement System (PORS), Class Three
- Benefit formula: 2.14% of average final compensation × years of service
- When you can retire: Class Three (membership on or after July 1, 2012): retire after 27 years of service or at age 55 or older; at least eight years of earned service required for a monthly benefit
PORS covers peace officers of participating employers; member contribution 9.75% of gross pay. Placement of SCDPPPS agents in PORS inferred from their sworn Class 1 status, not stated on the PEBA page.
Source:[peba.sc.gov]