2025-2026 Credential Information
Certified Protection Officer (CPO)
| Credential Name | Certified Protection Officer (CPO) |
| Credential Vendor Info | STACC https://staccexams.com/ |
| Implementation Year | Before 2022-2023 |
| Credential Auto Collect | No |
| Diploma Endorsement | IP42 = Yes |
| Validation Artifact | Copy of certificate |
| Credential Lead Consultant | David Barbour david.barbour@dpi.nc.gov |
| Course Number and Title | IP42 Law and Justice II |
| Credential as POL | IP42 POL = Yes |
| Pathway(s) | Emergency Management (EMMG)Law and Justice (LAWJ) |
| Cost of Instructor Training | N/A https://lapsen.org/cpocertification/ |
| Instructor Training Requirements | Required Must have CPO and CPOi certification |
| Exam Voucher Expiration | 1 year |
| Credential Lifespan | 2 years |
| Renewal Options | Yes Recertification information: https://ifpo.org/recertification/ |
| SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s) | Correctional Officers and Jailers (33-3012)Detectives and Criminal Investigators (33-3021)First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers (33-1011)First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives (33-1012)Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (33-3051) |
| Articulation | No |
| Sequencing | Yes This certification prepares students to be successful in pursuing the IFPO National certification and is recognized by all security companies in NC as a sequential certification for unarmed security guards. |
| Employer Transferability | Yes |
| Delivery Format | On-line |
| Proctored Environment Required | Yes |
| Test Site Options and Requirements | Paper Test |
| Testing Environment Requirements | N/A |
| Proctored Requirements | Uses a CPOi instructor |
| Exam Time Allotment | 90 minutes Must be at least 18 or enrolled in school and have parental consent if under 18 to take the test |
| Exam Passing Requirement | 60% or higher |
| Retakes | Yes An additional fee of $85.00 |
| Student Accommodations | Yes https://lapsen.org/student-certification/ |
| Multilingual Resources* | No |
| Directory Notes | Must be at least 18 or enrolled in school and have parental consent if under 18 to take the test. Effective SY24-25, the vendor for this credential has changed from YouScience to Scholastic Testing and Credential Certifications (STACC). |
