ARC 9638C

ARC 9638C

LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY[501]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rulemaking related to certification of law enforcement officers
and providing an opportunity for public comment

    The Law Enforcement Academy hereby proposes to amend Chapter 3, “Certification of Law Enforcement Officers,” Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

    This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 80B.11 and 2025 Iowa Acts, House File 901.

State or Federal Law Implemented

    This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, 2025 Iowa Acts, House File 901.

Purpose and Summary

    Pursuant to Iowa Code section 80B.11H as enacted by House File 901, the Academy Council proposes to amend Chapter 3. The proposed amendments describe the procedures and guidelines for reciprocity applications and alignment to eligibility for attendance at level II academies. The proposed amendments also cite newly enacted Iowa Code section 80B.11H.

Regulatory Analysis

    A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on September 3, 2025. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

     ?   September 24, 2025

    One public comment was received. The commenter was concerned that it is more burdensome for officers certified by another state to become certified in Iowa if they have been out of law enforcement service for more than a year than it is for a former member of the military or federal officer with the new changes. Rule 501—3.4(80B) was updated to align with the eligibility requirements required in Iowa Code section 80B.11H.

Fiscal Impact

     This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

    After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

    Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Academy Council for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 501—Chapter 16.

Public Comment

     Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rulemaking, which must be received by the Academy no later than 4:30 p.m. on November 25, 2025. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

     Public hearings at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

    Persons who wish to make oral comments at a public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rulemaking.

     Any persons who intend to attend a public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Council and advise of specific needs.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

    The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

    The following rulemaking action is proposed:

    ITEM 1.  Amend rule 501—3.3(80B) as follows:

501—3.3(80B) Standard certifying courses for approved law enforcement facilities. The academy courses of study and training programs must meet the requirements of nondegree programs under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. The standard certifying courses of study at an approved law enforcement training facility are:

    1.   The long course level I academy, consisting of at least 620 hours to be completed within a 25-week period; and

    2.   The short course level II academy, consisting of at least 400 hours to be completed within a 20-week period.

    ITEM 2.  Amend rule 501—3.4(80B) as follows:

501—3.4(80B) Qualifications for attendance at a short course level II academy. In order to be eligible for enrollment in a short course, the individual officer must possess at least one of the following qualifications: Individuals meeting the requirements of Iowa Code section 80B.11D(3) may apply for attendance at a level II academy. Approval may be granted when at least 20 credit hours dedicated to police science or criminal justice coursework in which a grade no lower than C- is reflected on the submitted transcript from which a degree is awarded within three years of applying or when approved by council after consideration of a reciprocity application.

    3.4(1) Have satisfactorily completed a two-year or four-year police science or criminal justice program that includes at least 20 credit hours dedicated to police science or criminal justice coursework at an accredited educational institution and documentation furnished to the academy.

    3.4(2) Have satisfactorily completed law enforcement training in another state commensurate with basic training required in Iowa, and be able to provide verification of the same.

    3.4(3) Have satisfactorily completed military police training and furnished documentation to the academy.

    3.4(4) Have satisfactorily completed the Federal Bureau of Investigation new agent training course, or similar course of instruction, and be able to provide verification of the same.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 80B.11 sections 80B.11(1)“a,” 80B.11D, and 80B.11H.

    ITEM 3.  Amend rule 501—3.5(80B), catchwords, as follows:

501—3.5(80B) Curriculum for long course level I academy.

    ITEM 4.  Amend rule 501—3.6(80B), catchwords, as follows:

501—3.6(80B) Curriculum for short course level II academy.

    ITEM 5.  Adopt the following new rule  501—3.9(80B):

501—3.9(80B) Evaluation of applications for reciprocity. Council will evaluate an applicant’s accredited police training by comparing training hours for each functional area of the academy’s approved curriculum to that completed by the applicant via a training equivalency form. Course descriptions, lesson plans, curriculum overview, or any combination will be used to determine the equivalency comparison.

    3.9(1) An applicant’s failure to provide the necessary information for the council to determine equivalency for any training may result in credit being denied for that training.

    3.9(2) An applicant approved for reciprocity will successfully complete the certification through examination process in rule 501—3.8(80B) and by successfully completing:

    a.  The course identified in subrule 3.8(2);

    b.  An in-person skills week at the academy; and

    c.  Any necessary retesting or training identified in subrule 3.8(6).

    3.9(3) If an applicant is not approved for entry into the reciprocity program, the council will evaluate an applicant for entry into a level II academy based upon completed training and relevant experience to Iowa law enforcement practice.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 80B.11H.

    ITEM 6.  Amend subrule 3.12(3) as follows:

    3.12(3) Application for a short course of study level II academy at an approved law enforcement training program. An individual applying for attendance at a short course of study level II academy at an approved law enforcement training program shall submit proof of successful completion of a two-year or four-year police science or criminal justice program at an accredited educational institution in this state as approved by the academy. The proof must include a letter from the registrar certifying the person’s graduation and a certified transcript of courses taken and grades received. The proof must be submitted 30 days in advance of the course of study that the person wants to attend.

    ITEM 7.  Strike “short course of study” wherever it appears in rule 501—3.12(80B) and insert “level II academy” in lieu thereof.