How to Become a Police Officer in Michigan

Who can apply

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be at least 18 years old, or older if the hiring agency sets a higher age.
• You need a high school diploma or a passing GED score. Pre-service recruits (not sponsored by an agency) must have at least an associate's degree by the time they finish the academy.
• You cannot have any prior felony convictions, including felonies that were expunged or set aside.
• You must have good moral character, shown by a comprehensive background investigation.
• You need a valid driver's license from one of the 50 states.
• You must test negative for illegal drug use.
• You must meet the MCOLES vision, hearing, physical and mental health standards. For example, each eye must see 20/20 or better (corrected is allowed), and hearing must be no worse than 25 decibels at 500 to 3,000 Hz.

Step by step

1. Pass the MCOLES reading and writing test. Your passing result does not expire.
2. Pass the MCOLES pre-enrollment physical fitness test within 180 days before your academy starts.
3. Enroll in a commission-approved basic training academy, either sponsored by an agency or as a pre-service recruit.
4. Complete the 615-hour basic training curriculum.
5. Pass the MCOLES licensing exam within 1 year after you finish the academy.
6. Get hired by a law enforcement agency. The agency must report to MCOLES, within 10 days after you take the oath of office, that you meet the standards. MCOLES then issues your license.

Training and exam

Training: You must complete the basic law enforcement course at a commission-approved academy. The MCOLES basic training curriculum is 615 hours.

Exam: Before the academy you must pass the MCOLES reading and writing test and the pre-enrollment physical fitness test. The fitness test has four events (vertical jump, sit-ups, push-ups, half-mile shuttle run), is scored pass/fail by age and sex, and is given only at commission-supervised academies. After the academy you must pass the MCOLES licensing exam within 1 year of finishing training.

What it costs in Michigan

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: Licensed officers must complete MCOLES Continuing Professional Education (CPE). The pilot requires 24 hours per calendar year in 2025 and 2026 (2026: at least 8 hours in the commission-designated Investigations topic, 16 agency-elected). MCOLES has set 2027 as a transition year, also 24 hours. Officers not yet compliant with Public Act 552 of 2018 active violence response training must complete it in 2026. A license becomes inactive when you are not employed as an officer and lapses after 1 year out of service (or 2 years if you had worked 2,080 hours or more).

Good to know in Michigan

Officers licensed in another state: Out-of-state officers who were licensed or certified in good standing for at least 2,080 paid hours, finished a state-recognized basic training program, and meet Michigan's selection and medical standards can use the MCOLES Recognition of Prior Basic Training and Experience (RPTE) program instead of the full academy. RPTE is a 10-day training program plus the licensing exam. They do not take the reading and writing test.

Medical test results expire: Medical, vision and hearing results are valid for no more than 180 days from the exam date unless the rule says otherwise.

License revocation: MCOLES must revoke a license for a conviction punishable by more than 1 year in prison, and for certain other listed offenses.

Drug test: If you test positive, refuse a drug test or fail to report for one, you are not eligible for training or licensing for 2 years after the test. You may ask the Commission to show cause why a positive result did not reflect illicit drug use.

Sources

• Mich. Admin. Code R. 28.14203 - Licensing standards (Cornell LII)
• Mich. Admin. Code R. 28.14204 - Medical standards (Cornell LII)
• MCL 28.609 - Licensing standards
• MCOLES - Pre-Enrollment Physical Fitness Test
• MCOLES - Training Academy Recruits
• MCOLES - 2026 CPE pilot expectations
• MCOLES: Recognition of Prior Basic Training and Experience (RPTE)