At least 22 states provide for state certification of juvenile probation officers. State certification is designed to increase professionalism in the field. In general, it involves setting and enforcing professional standards. Often a test is administered to beginning probation officers. Certification is usually for an initial time period, such as a year. Thereafter, renewal generally requires additional training.

In some states, such as Arizona, Indiana, and Louisiana, probation officers must be certified. On the other hand, certification is voluntary in other states, such as Montana.

Massachusetts and Virginia certify probation offices, not individual probation officers.

© 2000 (original copyright); © 2006 (most recent copyright) National Center for Juvenile Justice

Citation: Griffin, Patrick and King, Melanie. 2006. "National Overviews." State Juvenile Justice Profiles. Pittsburgh, PA: National Center for Juvenile Justice. Online. Available: http://www.ncjj.org/stateprofiles/.