Education · 1 of 4
The path
Meet the minimums, survive a long selection process, then train in Quebec.
- 1
High school diploma
Grade 12
The minimum. A college diploma in police foundations, border services or criminology is common and helps.
- 2
Meet the requirements
Before applying
Canadian citizen or permanent resident, 18 or older, valid driver's licence, clean record. Pass a medical with vision and hearing standards. A physical abilities test has been used in past intakes but was not required in the most recent one.
- 3
Apply and test
6 to 18 months
Online application, an entrance exam, an interview, psychological screening and a secret-level security clearance. The whole process can take up to 18 months. Complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course on your own before training.
- 4
Training
About 4 to 5 months
About 3 to 4 weeks of online training from home, then 14 to 15 weeks living at the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) college in Rigaud, Quebec: law, interviewing, searches, defensive tactics, firearms. You get a weekly allowance, a room and meals.
- 5
Posting
First 1 to 2 years
You rank your preferred ports, but the agency decides. Then 12 to 18 months of paid on-the-job training as an officer trainee. Land crossings in Ontario, BC and the Prairies, and the big airports, take most new officers.