Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, Chapter 259

Rule Caption: Instructor Certification clarification including minimum requirements, updated definitions, expiration dates, experience, and housekeeping.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 181.640, 181.650, 181.652, 181.653, 181.661, 181.662, 181.664, 181.667 & 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 181.640, 181.650, 181.652, 181.653, 181.661, 181.662, 181.664 & 181.667

Proposed Amendments: 259-008-0005, 259-008-0020, 259-008-0067, 259-008-0080, 259-008-0090

Last Date for Comment: 1-21-14, Close of Business

Summary: DPSST requires anyone instructing a mandated course be certified as an instructor. After reviewing the instructor certification process in its entirety, DPSST proposes the following changes to administrative rule:

   The DPSST Standards and Certification Section will continue to certify instructors who meet the minimum standards for certification, to include training, experience, education and criminal history. Standards and Certification will no longer certify instructors on a categorical or topical level. Once an individual meets the minimum requirements and has been certified as an instructor, agencies will be free to use them to instruct mandated courses as they see fit.

   This rule adds definitions for “Academy Training Division” and “Standards and Certification,” to differentiate the responsibilities of the Department as a certifying agency and the Department as an employer of certified personnel, as appropriate throughout the rule set.

   The F-4 Personnel Action Reporting requirement has been expanded to include agencies employing certified instructors.

   Instructor certification will no longer expire after two years. The certification will lapse after five years if the individual has not been utilized as an instructor. Recertification as an instructor will require reapplication up to and including the successful completion of an Instructor Development Course, depending on the amount of time the certification has been lapsed.

   The minimum experience requirement for instructor certification has been clarified. Instructors are required to have a minimum of three-years of certified experience as a public safety officer. The ability for Standards and Certification to waive this requirement based on other relevant professional or educational experience has also been clarified. This encompasses all individuals formerly referred to as “Applied Professions Instructors” and “Subject Matter Expert Instructors.”

   The rule governing training records has been expanded to include certified instructors.

   Finally, minor housekeeping changes are made for clarity and consistency.

Rules Coordinator: Linsay Hale

Address: Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, OR 97317

Telephone: (503) 378-2431


The official, record copy of this publication is contained in the original Administrative Orders and Rulemaking Notices filed with the Secretary of State, Archives Division. Discrepancies, if any, are satisfied in favor of the original versions.