A CSO may submit an Educational Requirement Waiver Application to forgo compulsory minimum training if the candidate has a minimum of 5 years experience as a CSO, and can pass each module exam with at least a 70%.

If for some reason, training cannot be met in the provided 180 days, a Certification Program - Permission for Extension request may be submitted to DCJS. The CSO point of contact must sign off on the form and indicate the reason for the extension request. Extensions may be granted in the instance of illness, military service, etc.