What to Expect at a COT On-Site or BCO Open House

Your path to a secure and rewarding career with the ADOC begins at one of the Department’s COT On-Sites or BCO Open Houses, which is why we want you to be fully prepared. You can expect the following activities at the hiring event:

Physical Fitness Assessment

The ADOC Physical Fitness Assessment is a mandatory requirement for the position of Correctional Officer Trainee. Every applicant must pass specific physical fitness requirements in order to be certified as a Correctional Officer Trainee – there are no exceptions for age or gender.

Push-Ups - Each Correctional Officer Trainee applicant must complete 22 push-ups within 60 seconds.

Sit-Ups - Each Correctional Officer Trainee applicant must complete 25 sit-ups in 60 seconds.

1.5-Mile Run - Each Correctional Officer Trainee applicant must complete a 1.5-mile run in 15 minutes and 28 seconds. The course will be flat and level.

ADOC-Required Documentation

The following documentation is required. If you are unable to bring the documentation to the on-site, the missing documentation can be submitted by mail, fax or email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Candidate Profile Questions & Answers

Preparation Questions & Answers

Day-Of On-Site Questions & Answers

Employment Questions & Answers

ADOC Contact Information

For potential applicants with questions about the on-sites, available positions or the hiring process, please contact:

ADOC Glossary

ADOC (Alabama Department of Corrections)

The Alabama Department of Corrections employs over 3,400 employees with an inmate population approaching 26,000+ prisoners. In the years to come, the Department will continue to grow and offer many long-term opportunities to its employees.

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ADOC Academy

ADOC Academy is a training course that requires participants to pass academic and physical training requirements. Both BCOs and COTs will attend ADOC Academy after passing their on-site evaluations. BCOs will attend for 6 weeks, while COTs will attend for 12 weeks.

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BCO (Basic Correctional Officer)

A Basic Correctional Officer (BCO) is responsible for ensuring correctional facility safety and providing rehabilitative services to inmates in a secure environment. A BCO is required to attend ADOC Academy for six weeks and receive ADOC certification. The BCO position will be organized under the State Personnel Department’s Correctional Security Guard classification.

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COT (Correctional Officer Trainee)

A Correctional Officer Trainee (COT) is responsible for ensuring correctional facility safety and providing rehabilitative services to inmates in a secure environment. A COT will also be responsible for transferring inmates and manning the patrol tower and perimeter truck. A COT is required to attend ADOC Academy for 12 weeks and to receive APOSTC certification.

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APOSTC (Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards & Training Commission)

The Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) is responsible for establishing qualifying standards for law enforcement officers and certifying all law enforcement officers. Since BCOs are not ASPOTC-certified, the training program is not regulated by APOSTC.