North Carolina Police Badge Requirements & Regulations Guide
Complete guide to NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards certification and badge regulations in the Tar Heel State
North Carolina law enforcement badges are governed by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission certification. All sworn officers must be state-certified. NC follows traditional badge patterns—municipal police use shields while the 100 county sheriff’s offices primarily use star designs. Security badges are regulated by the NC Private Protective Services Board.
- ~25,000 sworn law enforcement officers
- 100 county sheriff’s offices
- ~500 police departments
- NC State Highway Patrol: ~1,600 troopers
- 9th most populous state (10+ million residents)
Certification Requirements
- Complete state-certified Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) – 640+ hours
- Pass state certification examination
- Be employed by a NC law enforcement agency
- Meet background and fitness requirements
- Complete in-service training annually
Major North Carolina Departments
| Agency | Type | Sworn Officers | Badge Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD | Municipal | ~1,800 | Shield |
| Raleigh Police | Municipal | ~800 | Shield |
| NC State Highway Patrol | State | ~1,600 | State badge |
| Wake County Sheriff | Sheriff | ~700 | Star |
North Carolina’s coastal humidity and inland heat require durable badge construction. Specify hard enamel for badges in all NC regions. Coastal departments should consider marine-grade finishes.
- NC has ~25,000 sworn officers across 600 agencies
- State certification required through Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards
- 100 counties with strong sheriff tradition
- Police use shields; sheriffs use stars
The Bottom Line
North Carolina’s law enforcement follows traditional Southern patterns with clear badge distinctions between municipal police and county sheriffs. The state’s rapid growth—especially in the Charlotte and Research Triangle regions—means ongoing badge procurement needs.
For more information, see our procurement guide or use our badge design tool.