DPSST Statutes (ORS) and Rules (OAR)
The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) and the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training (Board), adopt administrative rules that set the minimum standards for training and the certification or licensure of criminal justice public safety professionals, fire service professionals, private security providers, private investigators, and polygraph examiners. These rules help DPPST carry out statutory requirements and act in accordance with the Agency's mission, to promote excellence in public safety.
For all of the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) that govern the Board's certification and licensure programs please visit the
Oregon State Legislature.
ORS Chapter 181A includes criminal justice public safety professionals, fire service professionals, and private security providers.
ORS Chapter 703 includes polygraph examiners and private investigators.
Proposed Rule Changes
DPSST filed Notices of Proposed Rulemaking for the following administrative rules. Proposed rulemaking includes rule changes that are under consideration, but not yet adopted. All agency rulemaking notices are published by the Secretary of State in the
Oregon Bulletin.
DPSST welcomes comments on proposed rules. Written comments may be submitted by e-mail or mail to the following:
Mail: DPSST Rules Coordinator, 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, OR 97317
The Rulemaking Document provided with each rule change below provides a copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking showing the rule text revisions (additions shown with underlined text and deletions shown with strikethrough text).
Temporary Rules
DPSST filed Temporary Administrative Orders for the following temporary administrative rules. The Rulemaking Document provided with each rule change below provides a copy of the Temporary Administrative Order showing the rule text revisions (additions shown with underlined text and deletions shown with strikethrough text).
Recent Permanent Rule Changes
DPSST filed Permanent Administrative Orders for the following administrative rules. The Rulemaking Document provided with each rule change below provides a copy of the Permanent Administrative Order showing the rule text revisions (additions shown with
underlined text and deletions shown with
strikethrough text). Each permanent rule change is available through the
Secretary of State beginning on the effective date of the rule change. The list includes Orders filed within the past 180 days.
These rule changes are effective July 1, 2023. OAR 259-008-0015 applies to background investigations initiated on or after July 1, 2023. OAR 259-008-0010 (11) applies to law enforcement officers and reserve officers hired on or after July 1, 2023. OAR 259-008-0011 applies to telecommunicators and emergency medical dispatchers hired on or after January 1, 2024. Law enforcement units and public and private safety agencies may implement these standards prior to the effective date.
Please visit the DPSST Criminal Justice Background Resources webpage for additional resources.
Background Checklist Form
Applicant Personal History Questionnaire Form
Note: The rules and the question list have been revised since the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and the public comment period. Please do not use any previous copies of the proposed rule changes or the question list to update your agency policies, procedures, or forms.
Amending: OAR 259-008-0010, 259-008-0011, 259-008-0015, and 259-008-0080
Effective: July 1, 2023
OAR 259-009-0120 defines the grounds for denial or revocation of fire service professional certifications. This rule change amended the language in section (3)(c) that is used to define misdemeanor convictions that require discretionary review by the Fire Policy Committee and the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training.
Amending: OAR 259-009-0120
OAR 259-090-0010 is adopted to transfer the rules adopted by the Governor’s Commission on the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor (Commission). The Commission’s rules were deleted from OAR 259-008-0100 and re-adopted in OAR 259-090-0010.
Amending: OAR 259-008-0100 & Adopting 259-090-0010
Effective: March 20, 2023
This rule change increases the minimum passing score and the retesting process that follows a failed attempt.
Amending: OAR 259-020-0150
Effective: March 20, 2023
OAR 259-060-0012 provides DPSST interpretation and application of Senate Bill (SB) 116, 2021 Legislative Session. After reviewing the adoption of this rule, the Office of the Legislative Counsel found that the compliance date adopted for the rule conflicted with the effective date of SB 116 and the law. Senate Bill 116 became effective January 1, 2022. To correct this unintended legal outcome, the rule was amended to delete section (3).
Amending: OAR 259-060-0012
Effective: March 20, 2023
OAR 259-008-0085 maintains the minimum standards for Board-approved mandated courses. This is a technical change to identify the new Board-approved date. This rule changes the Board approval date in (1)(a) from January 27, 2022, to October 27, 2022. The new Board-approved curriculum will be used in Basic Police Academy classes that begin after the February 1, 2023 effective date of the rule.
Amending: OAR 259-008-0085
Effective: February 1, 2023
This rule change sets January 1, 2024, as the date for law enforcement agencies employing police officers to adopt best practice policies for interacting with persons who have experienced trauma. Through Section 2 of HB 2575, the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), in consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ), is directed to develop best practices for law enforcement agencies when interacting with persons who have experienced trauma. Please visit the Center for Policing Excellence page on the DPSST website for the DPSST & DOJ best practices resources. https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/CPE/Pages/default.aspx
Adopting: OAR 259-008-0510
Effective: January 1, 2023
This rule change adds an equity training category to the maintenance requirements that apply to all law enforcement officers. The definition of law enforcement officer that applies to this rule includes police officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, and regulatory specialists (OAR 259-008-0005(19)). This rule change implements the police officer equity maintenance training provisions included in House Bill 2162 (2021).
Amending: OAR 259-008-0065
Effective: January 1, 2023
DPSST Rules Coordinator
Jennifer Howald
503-551-3258
DPSST, 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, OR 97317
How to Request Notice of DPSST Rule Changes
There are two ways to request notice of DPSST's rule changes. Both options allow you to request notices for all rule changes or to request notices just for the certification or licensure program you are interested in.
2. Write or e-mail the DPSST Rules Coordinator to submit your request.