The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division is looking for interested candidates for their next Enforcement Academy, which is slated to start at the end of March in 2026.

The application period for the 38th LDWF Enforcement Academy is scheduled to be open from Dec. 1 to Dec. 22. This Enforcement Academy will be a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) hybrid academy class meaning that both POST certified and non-POST certified candidates can apply once the application period is open.

“We want to get the word out quickly so interested applicants can prepare before the application process opens on Dec. 1. If you still need to take the civil service test, now is the time to do it,” said Col. Stephen Clark, head of the LDWF Enforcement Division. “By moving to a hybrid academy, we’re opening the door to more applicants and encourage all qualified candidates to apply.“

For applicants that are not exempt from taking the Protective Services Exam (PSE) Series 2100 Exam, a PSE 2100 score of 77 or higher is required to be eligible for the next academy. A PSE 2100 score of 77 or higher is valid for two years. In order to schedule the PSE 2100 civil service exam, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana/jobs/3147666/2100-protective-services-exam-pse.

This hybrid Enforcement Academy will conduct the conservation law portion of the training at the beginning of the academy for all the cadets, followed by the POST training at the end of the academy for the non-POST certified cadets. The POST certified cadets will finish their cadet academy training in approximately 14 weeks and non-POST certified cadets will finish their cadet academy training in approximately 22-24 weeks.

When the job application opens, applicants can search for the job title “Wildlife Enforcement Cadet” on the Louisiana Civil Service website at www.civilservice.louisiana.gov.

Minimum qualifications for this LDWF Enforcement Academy include:

Two years of law enforcement experience as a POST certified peace officer commissioned with the power of arrest; or

An associate’s degree from a technical college or completion of a two-year program at a vocational or technical school; or

Three years of continuous active military service (all Military Occupational Specialties apply).

Experience Substitution:
Every 30-semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will substitute for one year of the required experience.

Once the academy begins, the cadets will train at the department’s training facility located at the Waddill Training and Emergency Response Complex in Baton Rouge, La. Successful completion of intensive physical and academic training is required to graduate.

At the academy, cadets train to enforce the state's recreational boating laws, the state and federal wildlife and fisheries laws, and general law enforcement work on the state's many wildlife management areas.

For more information on becoming an LDWF enforcement agent, please visit https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/become-an-agent.