Off-duty corrections officer injured in attempt to stop shoplifter

Not exactly a challenge test - that's the old way of doing it - prior to 1999. Now, if your original academy is acceptable, and most are, you take the one week Legal Update and the one week Homeland Security class and you are good to go. Actually, you can start working immediately, and you have up to a year to take the first and I think two years to take the second. If you have been out of LE for, I think, three years, you also have to take a one week Basic Officer Skills (driving, shooting, etc.) The Legal Update class will likely be offered online in the near future.

You start getting the stipend when you complete all the requirements - but I think (don't hold me to it) that it only applies to Legal Update and Basic Officer Skills, not the Homeland Security class.

Then, of course, whatever your agency deems necessary - few agencies have an "academy" - most just put the new officer out with someone to learn the ropes in Kentucky, how to do the paperwork, the court system, etc. Remember, they are only hiring one or two at a time, not enough to really have a class.