Correctional Services

Careers in Corrections

Frequently Asked Questions about Ontario Correctional Officer Recruitment

1. What are the basic requirements to become a Correctional Officer?
2. I’m also interested in other careers in corrections such as a Youth Service Officer or a Probation and Parole Officer position. How do I apply for these positions?
3. What courses do I need to take to become a Correctional Officer? Are law enforcement courses required for the Correctional Officer position?
4. Is a university degree/college diploma required for the Correctional Officer position? What are the educational requirements to become a Correctional Officer?
5. There is currently a moratorium for the recruitment of correctional officers. Is there a waiting list for interested candidates?
6. What can I do now to better my chances of becoming a Correctional Officer?
7. What are the stages of recruitment for the Correctional Officer position?
8. What is FITCO?
9. How do I apply for the Correctional Officer position, once recruitment is open?

1. What are the basic requirements to become a Correctional Officer?

Here are some of the basic requirements:

• You must be legally eligible to work in Canada;
• You have successfully completed Ontario Grade 12 secondary school education or its equivalent
• You must have certification in Emergency First Aid and CPR Heartsaver training that is valid on the date you would commence employment.

All candidates will be required to successfully complete a comprehensive security clearance process as well as the Fitness Test for Ontario Correctional Officer Applicants (FITCO) to be eligible for consideration for the Correctional Officer position.

2. I’m also interested in other careers in corrections such as a Youth Service Officer or a Probation and Parole Officer position. How do I apply for these positions?

If you are interested in Youth Service Officer positions, call the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS), Youth Officer Recruitment at 1-888-412-8111.

For all non-Correctional Officer positions within the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, including Probation and Parole Officer positions, please select the career of your choice from Careers in Corrections.

3. What courses do I need to take to become a Correctional Officer? Are law enforcement courses required for the Correctional Officer position?

While taking courses beyond the Ontario Secondary School Graduation Diploma may help you with the training phase of recruitment, they are not required for the Correctional Officer position at this time.

4. Is a university degree/college diploma required for the Correctional Officer position? What are the educational requirements for becoming a Correctional Officer?

Applicants are required to have an Ontario Secondary School Graduation Diploma or its equivalent. College diplomas, university degrees and other certificates are not required for the Correctional Officer position at this time.

5. There is currently a moratorium for the recruitment of Correctional Officers. Is there a waiting list for interested candidates?

There is no waiting list at this time for the Correctional Officer position. When recruitment resumes, the application process will be posted and individuals may apply at that time.

6. What can I do now to better my chances of becoming a Correctional Officer?

Ensure that you have the basic requirements (see question 1). Keeping physically fit is important and will assist you in passing the required Fitness Test for Ontario Correctional Officer Applicants (FITCO) (see question 9).

7. What are the stages of recruitment for the Correctional Officer position?

The recruitment and assessment processes are currently under review. The information provided below is based on the previous assessment model, and some new/revised requirements implemented to date. It is important to note that the steps listed below are subject to change at the sole discretion of the ministry prior to the moratorium on recruitment being lifted. This information is therefore provided only as a guide.

Training is the final stage of the Correctional Officer recruitment process. You will need to successfully complete several stages prior to being accepted into training.

• Stage 1: Application

• To qualify, applicants must meet the basic requirements (see question 1)

• Stage 2: Testing

• Applicants must undergo a series of tests to ensure they meet the aptitude and behavioural requirements of the Correctional Officer position

• Stage 3: Personal Interview

• Applicants reaching this stage are invited to an interview, where they are tested on the core competencies of the Correctional Officer role.

Applicants must also pass these additional components of the recruitment process, which include:

• the Fitness Test for Ontario Correctional Officer Applicants (FITCO);
• a medical assessment;
• a comprehensive security clearance;
• employment reference checks; and
• character reference checks.

• Stage 4: Attendance and successful completion of the Correctional Officer Training and Assessment (COTA) program typically held at the Ontario Correctional Services College in Hamilton, Ontario.

Please note that it can take some time to complete all parts of the recruitment process. When a candidate successfully meets the requirements of all stages, an offer of employment will be extended.

8. What is FITCO?

FITCO stands for the Fitness Test for Ontario Correctional Officer Applicants. It is the name of the physical skills and ability test for Ontario Correctional Officers. As part of the FITCO applicants must first pass a screening component to ensure their medical readiness to participate in the test. The FITCO consists of several components that simulate different requirements of the Correctional Officer role:

1. Search Station – tests ability to perform an effective search of a cell
2. Emergency Response Circuit – tests ability to respond to emergencies
3. Aerobic Shuttle Run – tests ability to perform physically demanding tasks

Passing the FITCO is mandatory for the Correctional Officer position.

9. How do I apply for the Correctional Officer position, once recruitment is open?

Application instructions will be posted on this webpage once recruitment is open.