What experience/qualifications do you need to become a parole officer?

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“Parole Officer Education and Training Requirements

Prospective parole officers normally receive a high school diploma or GED as the first step toward their career objectives. Most government agencies require parole officers to have a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degree programs that are recommended for aspiring parole officers include criminal justice, psychology, corrections and social work.

Depending on the employer, work experience in these fields may substitute for a degree. Some parole officers choose to continue their education with a postgraduate degree in criminal justice, psychology or a similar field. Obtaining this additional education will open doors for an individual who wishes to advance in the field of corrections or social work.

Many states require that parole officers complete a training program before they are allowed to enter the field full-time. Some employers also require parole officers to pass a certification test or spend a probationary year of employment prior to gaining a permanent position as a parole officer. In addition to meeting educational requirements, parole officers must pass written, psychological, oral and physical examinations before obtaining employment. Due to the demanding nature of the field, parole officers should also be in good physical and emotional health. The recommend age range for parole officers is 21 to 37. ”

Source

Here is a chart of the salary range by state.

As far as requirements marinelife covered them. Now what I would recommend is that you try to be Probation Officer for the Justice Department ( There is no parole for federal inmates ).
The pay is way better with better benefits, and the work load is far less compared to an average P.O.
I was an inmate on the Bureau of Prisons ( Federal ) and when I got out the P.O. that I had was very supportive and always offered great advise seriously, she always cared about my mental wellbeing. Knowing many ex-convicts that have been on state parole the differences are huge. Because the P.O’s had so many “clients” they would send back to prison at any little mistake so they could have less caseload, they didn’t know the needs of the parolees nor cared. I know I’m generalizing but I have never heard about a good state P.O.
Now you have to consider that state P.O’s get all the different kind of criminals, from petty theft, going through violent criminals and to rapists. Federal P.O’s usually deal with drug convicts to white collar criminals, so I’m sure that the job is safer as well.
Wish you luck and if you decide to get a job as a P.O. I wish you the best and for the last piece of advice ( I know, calm down ) don’t be a richard to your clients and your job will be waaaaay easier.

THANKS!