Lateral transfer guide
Not legal advice. This guide is general information. Certification, licensing and hiring rules are set by each state's POST or standards board and by each agency, and they change. Confirm anything important with them before you act on it.
A lateral transfer means moving from one agency to another without starting over as a recruit. How it works depends on the agency and, if you're crossing state lines, the state. Use this guide as a checklist, not a rulebook.
1. Decide what you're moving for
Write down what you want from the move before you look at postings: pay, schedule, assignment options, cost of living, family, or a department culture that suits you better. It makes comparing offers easier, and you'll have a clear answer when an oral board asks "Why us?"
2. Check whether the agency actually hires laterals
Agencies differ a lot. Some run regular lateral academies or abbreviated field training, some count prior years toward pay or seniority, and some treat every hire as a new recruit. Look for:
- A lateral or "experienced officer" posting, or a lateral section on the agency's recruiting page.
- Whether prior service counts toward pay step, seniority, vacation accrual and probation length. These are often set by contract or civil service rules, so ask for them in writing.
- Whether you'd go through a full academy, a shortened academy, or field training only.
On this site, the Lateral friendly filter shows only jobs from agencies whose own hiring data says they accept laterals or waive or shorten the academy. Every other listing is left out of that filter rather than guessed.
3. If you're changing states, start with certification
Your current certification usually doesn't transfer automatically. Most state boards use a waiver, an equivalency review or a shortened course, and many require you to be hired or sponsored by an agency in that state first. See state certification reciprocity for what we've verified on official state sites, plus links to every state board.
4. Gather your paperwork early
Lateral hiring often stalls while documents are tracked down. Before you apply, collect copies of:
- Your academy certificate, transcript or curriculum (hours and topics).
- Your POST or state certification and any specialty certificates (FTO, firearms instructor, etc.).
- Your training history from your current agency.
- Your performance evaluations, commendations and any discipline history you'll be asked about.
- Your DD-214 if you served, and your driver's license and education records.
5. Be ready for a full background
Experienced officers usually get the same background investigation as new hires, and sometimes a closer one. Expect the agency to contact your current and past employers and to ask about internal affairs history. Disclose honestly and consistently. See background and polygraph prep.
6. Compare offers on total value
Look beyond the posted salary:
- Pay steps and how quickly you'd reach top step.
- Overtime, special-duty and off-duty work rules.
- Retirement system and whether your prior service can transfer or be purchased. Ask the retirement system directly, because this varies widely.
- Health insurance cost, take-home car policy, and shift and assignment rules.
7. Leave well
Give the notice your current agency requires, finish or hand off your cases, and keep it professional. Your current agency will almost certainly be part of your background.