Limited-Access and Special Admission Requirements

Admission to the Fire Fighter and Fire Apparatus Operator programs is limited‑access, and cohorts are offered at select intervals based on program demand. To be considered, applicants must submit both the Valencia College Application for Admission (with the required fee) and the Fire Rescue Institute program application (with the additional $100 program fee). Admission to Valencia College does not guarantee acceptance into Fire Rescue Institute programs.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet all published program admission requirements, including:

• Being 18 years of age or older;
• Holding a standard high school diploma or GED;
• Having no felony or significant misdemeanor convictions as verified through fingerprinting;
• Holding current Florida EMT‑Basic or Paramedic certification;
• Being in good physical condition with physician clearance;
• Demonstrating good moral character; and
• Attending any required orientation sessions.

Application Review Process

The Fire Rescue Institute Admissions Committee reviews only complete applications submitted by the published deadline; late applications are not considered for the intended term. Students who are not admitted may reapply for a future cycle.

Visit the Fire Rescue website for a complete list of admission requirements. Information about program costs is provided in the Financial Information and Fees section of the catalog.

Valencia’s Criminal Justice Institute (CJI) offers two basic career certificate programs—Corrections and Law Enforcement—which are required for individuals seeking employment as sworn officers in Florida.

Admission Requirements

Admission to these programs is limited‑access. Applicants must meet all published program admission requirements, including:

1. Being 19 or older, being a U.S. citizen,
2. Holding a standard high school diploma or GED,
3. Having no misdemeanor or felony convictions or dishonorable military discharge,
4. Achieving the minimum score on the required state entry tests,
5. Obtaining physician clearance, and
6. Completing required criminal history and driving record checks.

Admission Priority

Applicants must also submit both the Valencia College Application for Admission and the CJI program application (each with required fees). Admission to Valencia does not guarantee acceptance to CJI programs. The Institute gives priority consideration in the following order:

1. Applicants hired by agencies represented on the CJI Board,
2. Applicants hired by other Florida criminal justice agencies,
3. Applicants sponsored by an agency,
4. Valencia Criminal Justice A.S. students, and
5. Other qualified pre‑service applicants.

CJI also offers Crossover: Corrections to Law Enforcement and Auxiliary Law Enforcement Officer programs; a complete list of admission requirements is available through the CJI website. Information about program costs is provided in the Financial Information and Fees section of the catalog.

Students seeking admission to a limited‑access A.S. Health Sciences program will have the pending program listed as their secondary major and the A.A. Degree listed as their primary major to support academic progress and financial‑aid eligibility. Students who already hold a regionally accredited A.A. or bachelor’s degree will not have the A.A. designated as their primary major.

Adherence to CDC Standard Precautions

Health Sciences programs may include clinical experiences involving exposure to blood‑borne pathogens. Students accepted into these programs must follow CDC Standard Precautions, including required hand hygiene and appropriate personal protective equipment (such as masks, gloves, and protective eyewear). Some programs may also require peer‑to‑peer examinations in laboratory settings.

Application Review Process and Fees

All prospective students must complete the Valencia Application for Admission (with fee) and submit a program‑specific application. Meeting College admission requirements does not imply acceptance into any Health Sciences program. Applicants must satisfy all program admission criteria before applying; details are available in each program’s Program Guide on the Health Sciences website, and the program requirements are located in Degrees and Certificate Programs. 

Students applying to a B.S. Health Sciences program students may be admitted to the College when they meet admission requirements; however, permission to enroll in upper‑division coursework is determined by the specific program. Applicants to the Accelerated Track in Nursing (A.S.), Cardiopulmonary Sciences (B.S.), or Radiologic and Imaging Sciences (B.S.) must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or hold an eligible non‑immigrant status other than the F‑1 or J‑1 categories.

The Health Sciences Admission Committee reviews applications submitted by the published deadline. Associate‑level applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered for that term. Applicants who are not admitted may reapply in a future cycle.

Information about program expenses is available in the Financial Information and Fees section of this catalog.