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Not all online law enforcement training counts toward your POST requirements. That’s the part that doesn’t always make it into the pitch.

If you’re investing time in training — your own time or your officers’ time — it should move the needle on POST compliance. Here’s how to make sure it does, and what questions to ask before you enroll.

## What POST Certification Means

POST stands for Peace Officer Standards and Training. Every state that has a POST commission (or equivalent body) sets minimum training standards for law enforcement officers and certifies training courses that count toward those standards.

POST certification is not a quality guarantee. A course can be POST-certified and still be mediocre. But it does mean the course has been reviewed against your state’s established training standards and approved for credit hours.

For officers, POST hours matter because:
– They’re often required to maintain active certification or licensing
– They may be required to advance in rank or specialty assignment
– They document professional development in ways that matter in internal investigations or civil proceedings

For training coordinators, POST-certified training is easier to get approved internally. For a broader look at building a compliant agency curriculum, see our guide on building a law enforcement training program that gets used.

## The Online Training Question

Most state POST commissions now certify online law enforcement training, though the requirements vary.

**Credit hour equivalency.** Online hours are typically calculated based on content duration. A 4-hour online course is usually treated as equivalent to 4 contact hours of in-person training.

**Asynchronous vs. synchronous.** Self-paced (asynchronous) online training is broadly accepted. Some states have additional requirements for synchronous (live, instructor-led) online training for certain topic areas.

**Assessment requirements.** Many POST bodies require that training include a documented assessment. Check whether your state’s POST certification requires passing scores rather than just completion.

**Documentation.** POST audits happen. Certificates of completion need to include the right information: course name, credit hours, POST approval number, and officer information.

## What to Ask the Training Provider

**Is this course POST-certified in my state?** POST certifications are state-specific. A course certified in Texas may not be certified in Oregon.

**What documentation do you provide?** You need something you can submit to your agency’s training records office and, if audited, to your POST commission.

**Who built the content?** POST certification means the content met minimum standards. It doesn’t mean the content is good. Ask who developed the curriculum and what their operational background is.

**Is there a test, and what are the passing requirements?** Click-through courses generate certificates. Courses requiring demonstrated knowledge produce better-trained officers.

## Specialty Areas Worth Prioritizing

For officers and agencies looking to build POST-compliant specialty investigation training, the highest-priority course areas are:

– Homicide and death investigation — low-frequency but high-stakes; expertise atrophies without deliberate training
– Domestic violence investigation — high-volume case type, significant documentation requirements
– Strangulation investigations — one of the most consistently under-trained areas in DV response

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Does online law enforcement training count toward POST certification?**
Yes, in most states. The majority of state POST commissions now certify online law enforcement training. Always verify that a specific course is certified in your state before enrolling.

**How are online training hours calculated for POST credit?**
Most POST commissions calculate online credit hours based on content duration. A 4-hour online course is typically treated as equivalent to 4 contact hours of in-person training, though some states have their own calculation methods.

**What documentation do I need from an online training course for POST compliance?**
A compliant certificate should include the course name, credit hours awarded, the POST approval number, completion date, and the officer’s name. RTI provides certificates of completion immediately upon finishing a course.

**Are RTI courses POST-certified?**
Yes. All RTI courses are POST-certified. Officers receive documentation of completion immediately upon finishing a course.

## RTI’s POST-Certified Online Training

RTI offers POST-certified online training in homicide investigation, domestic violence, strangulation, child abuse and neglect, sex crimes, and more. Officers complete training on their own schedule. Documentation is immediate on completion.

View all courses here.