How to Become a Probation/Parole Officer (PPO)

Probation officers work with clients who have been convicted of committing a crime but were not incarcerated.

To become a probation officer, you'll need a degree as well as specialized probation officer training.

Keep reading to learn more about what a probation officer does and the requirements you'll need to fulfill to become one.

What Is a Probation Officer?

A probation officer is a type of correctional specialist who assists and monitors people who are on probation.

When someone is convicted of a crime, they may receive probation as opposed to jail time. This is a period of time when they must adhere to certain rules, such as:

• community service
• curfew
• employment
• no drugs or alcohol
• no firearms

Probation officers are required to check in with their clients periodically to ensure they are following all conditions of their probation. Other job duties may include:

• appearing in court in regards to their client
• assessing client progress
• conducting drug tests
• connecting clients with resources, such as housing or employment assistance
• maintaining client records

Some probation officers may work with a specific demographic of clients, such as juvenile offenders or those with substance use disorders.

Probation officers typically work out of an office, but they may spend a lot of time outside the office doing client visits and in court.

This is typically a full-time job, and some probation officers must be on-call or work non-standard hours.

About half of all probation officers work for state governments and the other half work for local governments. Some work for the federal government.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is expected to increase by 3% by 2032.

Probation Officer Versus Parole Officer

While probation officers work with clients on probation, parole officers work with clients who have been released from prison and are on parole.

Someone on parole has served some of their sentence from jail or prison, then been released to serve the rest of their sentence on parole.

In many ways, parole and probation are similar, as they both require following a set of rules outlined by the judge and both require monitoring by an officer.

However, the goals of probation and parole are slightly different. Probation is usually used to help an individual adjust their lifestyle choices, while parole is often to help someone readjust after incarceration.

Depending on the area, some officers may work with both clients on probation and clients on parole, while others may only work with one type of client.

Steps to Become a Probation Officer

To become a probation officer, you'll need to earn a degree and complete probation officer training. We've broken down the steps below.

Please keep in mind that requirements can vary depending on where you work. Check with your local and state governments to ensure you're fulfilling all requirements.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

While it depends on the area in which you work, most of the time probation officers need to have at least a bachelor's degree. Bachelor's degrees are undergraduate degrees that take about four years to complete.

There is no specific major required to become a probation officer, but it helps to earn a degree in a relevant field. Some common majors for probation officers include:

• criminal justice
• criminology
• psychology
• social work

In some jurisdictions, military service may be accepted in lieu of a college degree.

While a bachelor's degree is typically the minimum required to work as a probation officer, federal parole officers may need a master's degree.

Holding a master's degree in criminal justice or a similar subject can also give you the opportunity to advance to supervisory positions within the correctional system.

Step 2: Meet the Requirements to Become a Probation Officer

The requirements to become a probation officer can vary between governments, but there are some general requirements you'll want to be sure you meet.

Aside from a bachelor's degree, other requirements you'll want to meet include:

• be a United States citizen
• be at least 18 years old (21 in some places)
• be under 37 years old
• be able to pass a background check and drug test

Some employers may require you to have relevant experience before you can work as a probation officer. This may include working in law enforcement, social work, counseling, or correctional settings.

Step 3: Complete a Probation Officer Training Program

Once you've been hired on as a probation officer, you'll need to complete a probation officer training program to prepare you for the job.

These training programs will depend on the jurisdiction you've been hired by. Generally, you can expect probation officer training to cover:

• arrest procedures
• caseload management
• court procedures
• crisis intervention
• firearm use
• probation law
• self-defense
• writing reports

The length of these training programs can vary. Upon completion of the program, you may be awarded a certification.

Step 4: Work as a Trainee Probation Officer

Ironically, probation officers typically have their own probationary period they'll need to complete before they can work independently.

This trainee period usually lasts 90 days, but some can take up to a year to complete. During this time, you'll shadow and work alongside experienced probation officers.

If you've chosen to focus your work on a specific demographic, you'll be with an officer who works with that demographic. You may also receive specialized training.

Step 5: Stay Up to Date on Training

Your training isn't over once you're cleared to work independently as a probation officer. Most employers require you to complete periodic training throughout your career.

This training is meant to keep you up to date on changes to the law or to probation procedures. They also help officers learn more about best practices and new techniques.

Often, this training is offered through in-person conferences or seminars or through self-paced online education resources.

Become a Probation Officer

To become a probation officer, you'll need to earn a degree and complete all necessary probation officer training.

With the guide above, you can start your journey toward becoming a probation officer today.