BC Corrections hires officers for provincial adult jails through the BC Public Service and pays you while you train.
Steps from BC Corrections.
| Detail | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements · Minimum age | 19+ | source |
| Requirements · Citizenship | Canadian citizen, or permanent resident for at least 3 years | source |
| Requirements · Education | Grade 12 or equivalent; English 12 with 70% or equivalent | source |
| Requirements · Licence | Valid Class 5 BC driver's licence or equivalent (Class 7/N not accepted) | source |
| Requirements · First aid | Valid WorkSafeBC-endorsed Basic First Aid at time of offer | source |
| Requirements · Screening | Written communication skills assessment, COPAT, medical assessment, enhanced security screening | source |
| Renewal | not published No licence or CE cycle published | source |
| Who hires | BC Corrections, Adult Custody Division (BC Public Service) | source |
| Hiring tests | Written communications skills assessment | source |
| Hiring tests | Medical and enhanced security screening | source |
| Hiring tests | COPAT: timed pass/fail circuit incl. six flights of stairs and a 70 lb carry; 'strictly enforced time limit', numeric time not published | source |
| Training | 33 days (231 hours) paid Security Officer Training at a correctional centre, delivered with JIBC; then Basic (to 6 months) and Advanced (6-18 months) on the job; full CO status at 18 months | source |
| Where training happens | At the correctional centre where hired | source |
| Cost to you | Training paid; after 6-month probation, reimbursement can be claimed for COPAT medical form, TB test, Basic First Aid and criminal record check | source |
| Starting pay | $60,919.30/yr ($33.3576/h) training rate, BCGEU Grid 14 Step 1, effective July 1, 2026 | source |
| How to apply | Official page | source |
| Name and city | Program / status | Cost | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justice Institute of British Columbia (with BC Corrections) Various (at hiring centre) | Adult Correctional Officer training Delivers BC Corrections recruit training | No tuition; employees only source | Official page |
19 or older, a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident for at least 3 years, Grade 12 with English 12 at 70%, and a valid Class 5 licence (Class 7/N not accepted). You need Basic First Aid by the time of an offer.
Yes. Training is 33 days (231 hours) at a correctional centre, delivered with JIBC, at the training rate.
$60,919.30 a year ($33.3576/hour) training rate, BCGEU Grid 14 Step 1, effective July 1, 2026.
After your 6-month probation you can claim back the COPAT medical form, TB test, Basic First Aid and criminal record check.
No. BC Corrections runs provincial jails. Federal prisons are run by Correctional Service Canada, which hires and trains separately.
This page relies on the official pages below. Rules, fees and processes change, so check the authority before you apply or spend money.
Links checked November 1, 2026. Found an error or a broken link? Report it.