Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
From submitting your application to admission to registration, Northwood Tech is available to help guide you through the admissions process. To help you successfully complete this program, Northwood Tech has developed a set of program requirements and technical standards. For students with a disability, reasonable accommodations are available to help you be successful in the program of your choice.
Admission Requirements
The first step to get admitted is to fill out a Northwood Tech application, and Northwood Tech will guide you from there. If you're not quite ready to become a student, visit a campus to get the full Northwood Tech experience. A campus tour will give you the opportunity to meet staff, instructors and students, tour the campus and get a real feel for the campus culture.
Complete paper application form
Review and sign Functional Abilities Disclosure
Review and sign Background Check Disclosure
Out-of-State applicants sign a Professional Licensure Disclosure
Program-Specific Requirements
Step 1:
- Have earned a high school diploma or GED certificate.
- Possess a valid Wisconsin driver’s license or other such valid operator’s permit recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as authorizing operation of a motor vehicle.
- Be at least 18 years of age and a United States citizen, and complete form DJ‐LE‐322, Birth Certificate Verification, to provide verification of age and citizenship.
Step 2:
Complete the Physical Readiness Test (PRT) prior to the start of the academy. Information on the PRT is located on WILENET. Successful completion of the PRT must be completed within 180 days prior to the start of the academy.
Physical Readiness Test Entrance Standards Exit Standards 1.5 mile run 20:20 minutes 16:57 300m run 82 seconds 68 seconds Push ups 18 23 Sit-ups 24 30 Vertical Jump 11.5 inches 14 inches Agility Run 23.4 seconds 19.5 seconds
- Full-Time Academy: June 3, 2024 – October 11, 2024 (Scheduled Monday – Friday)
Step 3:
- Non-sponsored students (Pre-Service Student: An individual who meets the minimum recruitment qualifications set by the Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB) and enrolls in preparatory training at his or her own expense prior to employment.)
- Non-sponsored students must have earned at least 40 accredited college credits. The college credit standard is defined in terms of semester credits. Quarter credits may be converted to semester credits by multiplying quarter credits by two-thirds. Generally, 60 quarter credits are equivalent to 40 semester credits. Applicants must provide an official college transcript.
- Submit Background Check fee
- Complete an oral interview with a panel of criminal justice executives or with teaching or counseling staff affiliated with the training school. To be accomplished after successful completion of the Physical Readiness Test (PRT).
- Undergo a DOJ criminal history records check and fingerprinting. The DOJ will assign a location for fingerprinting. An unpardoned felony conviction or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence conviction will prohibit a student from attending the unified tactics portion of preparatory law enforcement officer training, and will prohibit employment as a law enforcement officer.
- Undergo a physical. A physical will be conducted to verify that the candidate can meet the physical standards required. The physical will be conducted by a licensed physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner utilizing the Physician’s Assessment form (DJ‐LE‐ 332), or a form similar to DJ‐LE‐332, which provides the physician with a job description on which to base the assessment. The candidate will also complete a personal medical history, a copy of which is to be submitted to the examining physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant for reference.
- Sponsored students (Recruit: A sworn officer who has not been certified within the past three years, currently employed on a probationary or temporary basis in compliance with the minimum recruitment qualifications set by the Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB), who is enrolled in preparatory training at a LESB-certified academy.)
- Sponsored students must work with sponsoring agency for pre-employment and educational requirements.
- If employed, the employing agency must provide a copy of completed form DJ‐LE‐303, Verification of Employment Standards and Application for Certification, to enroll an officer in preparatory training. This form documents that the student has met all of the required employment standards.
- Submit required letter of sponsorship from employing law enforcement agency.
- Submit Professional History Report with sponsoring agency listed sent directly to the Northwood Technical College Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy Program Director.
Step 4:
Complete form DJ-LE-310, Student Authorization for Release of Information.
Complete form DJ-LE-327, Application for Enrollment in Law Enforcement, Jail or Secure Juvenile Detention Officer Training.
2025-2026 Admission Requirements
The first step to get admitted is to fill out a Northwood Tech application, and Northwood Tech will guide you from there. If you're not quite ready to become a student, visit a campus to get the full Northwood Tech experience. A campus tour will give you the opportunity to meet staff, instructors and students, tour the campus and get a real feel for the campus culture.
Complete paper application form
Review and sign Background Check Disclosure
Out-of-State applicants sign a Professional Licensure Disclosure
Program-Specific Requirements
Step 1:
- Have earned a high school diploma or GED certificate.
- Possess a valid Wisconsin driver’s license or other such valid operator’s permit recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as authorizing operation of a motor vehicle.
- Be at least 18 years of age and a United States citizen, and complete form DJ‐LE‐322, Birth Certificate Verification, to provide verification of age and citizenship.
Step 2:
Complete the Physical Readiness Test (PRT) prior to the start of the academy. Information on the PRT is located on WILENET. Successful completion of the PRT is valid for one calendar year from date of completion. Students must be able to complete these standards:
Physical Readiness Test Entrance Standards Exit Standards 1.5 mile run 20:20 minutes 16:57 300m run 82 seconds 68 seconds Push ups 18 23 Sit-ups 24 30 Vertical Jump 11.5 inches 14 inches Agility Run 23.4 seconds 19.5 seconds
- Part-Time Academy: January 11, 2025 - September 21, 2025 (Scheduled on weekends only)
- Full-Time Academy: June 2, 2025 – October 9, 2025 (Scheduled Monday – Friday)
- Physical Readiness Test dates TBD in 2025.
Step 3:
- Non-sponsored students (Pre-Service Student: An individual who meets the minimum recruitment qualifications set by the Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB) and enrolls in preparatory training at his or her own expense prior to employment.)
- Non-sponsored students must have earned at least 40 accredited college credits. The college credit standard is defined in terms of semester credits. Quarter credits may be converted to semester credits by multiplying quarter credits by two-thirds. Generally, 60 quarter credits are equivalent to 40 semester credits. Applicants must provide an official college transcript.
- Submit Background Check fee
- Complete an oral interview with a panel of criminal justice executives or with teaching or counseling staff affiliated with the training school. To be accomplished after successful completion of the Physical Readiness Test (PRT).
- Undergo a DOJ criminal history records check and fingerprinting. The DOJ will assign a location for fingerprinting. An unpardoned felony conviction or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence conviction will prohibit a student from attending the unified tactics portion of preparatory law enforcement officer training, and will prohibit employment as a law enforcement officer.
- Undergo a physical. A physical will be conducted to verify that the candidate can meet the physical standards required. The physical will be conducted by a licensed physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner utilizing the Physician’s Assessment form (DJ‐LE‐ 332), or a form similar to DJ‐LE‐332, which provides the physician with a job description on which to base the assessment. The candidate will also complete a personal medical history, a copy of which is to be submitted to the examining physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant for reference.
- Sponsored students (Recruit: A sworn officer who has not been certified within the past three years, currently employed on a probationary or temporary basis in compliance with the minimum recruitment qualifications set by the Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB), who is enrolled in preparatory training at a LESB-certified academy.)
- Sponsored students must work with sponsoring agency for pre-employment and educational requirements.
- If employed, the employing agency must provide a copy of completed form DJ‐LE‐303, Verification of Employment Standards and Application for Certification, to enroll an officer in preparatory training. This form documents that the student has met all of the required employment standards.
- Submit required letter of sponsorship from employing law enforcement agency.
- Submit Professional History Report with sponsoring agency listed sent directly to the Northwood Technical College Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy Program Director.
Step 4:
Complete form DJ-LE-310, Student Authorization for Release of Information.
Complete form DJ-LE-327, Application for Enrollment in Law Enforcement, Jail or Secure Juvenile Detention Officer Training.
Technology Requirements
If using Macintosh or Linux based computers, coursework must be submitted using your Office365 tools provided with your Northwood Tech email account. It is important to verify with your Program Faculty if non-Windows based computers are acceptable in the program.
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
