Civil Security Mine Clearance Specialist: new entry requirements for the profession

The Ministry of the Interior published in the JORF No. 0213 of September 12, 2026, the decree of September 1, 2026, regarding the conditions for access to and exercise of the function of civil security bomb disposal expert (NOR INTE2623252A). The text completely reorganizes the recruitment and qualification process for bomb disposal experts assigned to the sub-directorate of bomb disposal of the general directorate for civil security and crisis management. It replaces the previous system resulting from the amended decree of September 2, 2005.

Recruitment expanded to the national police and military personnel

Active personnel of the national police mentioned in Article L. 411-2 of the Internal Security Code, as well as military personnel or former military personnel applying for admission to the national police pursuant to Article L. 4139-2 of the Defense Code, may apply for the function of civil security bomb disposal expert. No one may be appointed as a trainee bomb disposal expert without meeting the medical, physical, and psychological fitness conditions defined by the decree of September 2, 2005, and the decree of November 25, 2022.

The sub-director of bomb disposal establishes the list of candidates eligible for pre-selection tests, based on application files whose procedures are set by instruction from the director general for civil security and crisis management.

A two-step selection process

The pre-selection test consists of two distinct assessments:

• a test intended to verify physical aptitudes as well as reflection, analysis, and argumentation capabilities, which is eliminatory if the score is below 12 out of 20;
• a psychological test, conducted by a psychologist from the general directorate of the national police, responsible for certifying the candidate’s aptitude.

Candidates who have passed these tests then proceed to the single selection test, which consists of an interview with a jury. The jury determines the list, in order of merit, of the candidates selected for access to the function. Selected military or former military personnel enter the training but must ensure that, upon its completion, they meet the conditions for admission to the national police.

Training in two probationary periods

Professional qualification as a bomb disposal expert is granted following two probationary periods:

• a first period known as “training,” lasting 16 months;
• a second period known as “professionalization,” lasting 18 months, extendable by one year by decision of the director general for civil security and crisis management.

During their training, the trainee bomb disposal technician must obtain a license for the road transport of Class 1 dangerous goods, a certificate of aptitude for handling industrial radiology equipment (CAMARI), and a citizen first aid certificate (PSC). In the event of failure, the trainee returns to their original service, unless a unique authorization is granted by the deputy director of bomb disposal for serious or exceptional reasons.

The Lead Bomb Disposal Technician Qualification

A bomb disposal technician who does not hold the lead bomb disposal technician qualification may only intervene under the responsibility of a holder of this qualification for the most complex interventions. The lead bomb disposal technician, authorized to intervene in all areas of the bomb disposal deputy directorate, supervises these interventions by decision of the center head. Access to this qualification is through a call for applications, a file, and training, the modalities of which are defined by instruction.

Each qualification is subject to mandatory maintenance of operational skills, which takes place between the fourth and sixth year following its attainment.

A Redesign of the Professional Path

This decree unifies the path of civil security bomb disposal technicians around a common core qualification, while opening recruitment to military personnel and securing the reintegration of agents who have left the service. For candidates, it introduces a more demanding selection process and extensive training, validated by specialized certificates. For the public, it guarantees a consistent and reinforced level of competence for the teams in charge of bomb disposal interventions across the entire territory.

Source : Decree of September 1, 2026, relating to the conditions of access to and exercise of the function of civil security bomb disposal technician, NOR INTE2623252A, published in the JORF n°0213 of September 12, 2026.