How to Become a Police Officer in Missouri

Who can apply

• You must be at least 21 years old.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You need a valid high school diploma or its equivalent.
• You must graduate from a licensed basic law enforcement training center (or have recognized federal, military or out-of-state training).
• You must have no criminal history that disqualifies you under sections 590.080.1 and 590.100.1, RSMo.
• Missouri has no residency requirement for a peace officer license.

Step by step

1. Complete a POST-licensed basic training course. For most officers this is at least 600 hours.
2. Apply to the POST Program for a peace officer license within 5 years after you graduate from basic training.
3. Get fingerprinted through the Missouri State Highway Patrol-approved process for a state and FBI criminal history check. You pay the fingerprint fee.
4. Pass the Missouri Peace Officer License Exam (MPOLE) with at least 70% within 120 days of applying.
5. POST reviews your qualifications and issues your license.
6. Get commissioned by a law enforcement agency. Your license expires if you go 5 consecutive years without a peace officer commission.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: State law sets basic training for a peace officer license at no less than 600 hours. State agencies may require up to 1,000 hours. Restricted reserve officers, whose powers are limited to the city or county that commissions them, may need as few as 120 hours. Training must be at a POST-licensed basic training center.

Exam: You must score at least 70% on the Missouri Peace Officer License Exam (MPOLE) within 120 days of applying for your license. If you fail, you may retake it within 30 days after the first failure and again within 30 days after a second failure. After a third failure (or if you miss a 30-day retake window), you must either wait one year or graduate from a basic training course again before testing as if for the first time. Applicants for class R (reserve) and class D licenses do not take the MPOLE.

What it costs in Missouri

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: There is no license renewal fee or term, but officers must complete continuing law enforcement education (CLEE) each calendar year. For January 1 to December 31, 2026 the requirement is 24 hours, with at least 8 from an approved provider: 2 hours each in legal studies, technical studies, interpersonal perspectives and firearms skills, plus 1 hour each of racial profiling, implicit bias and de-escalation, and the rest electives. Up to 22 hours may be computer-based; the 2 firearms hours must be live. Officers first licensed in 2026 start CLEE in 2027. Your license expires if you go 5 consecutive years without a peace officer commission.

Good to know in Missouri

Officers from other states, federal agencies or the military: Out-of-state, federal and military officers, and people whose Missouri license expired, apply through POST's Veteran Peace Officer Application. POST must recognize their training and may require extra training.

Basic training older than 5 years: If your basic training was more than 5 years ago, you must qualify on POST's Veteran Peace Officer Point Scale instead.

Missing CLEE: If you cannot show CLEE compliance for 2026 by March 15, 2027, the POST director may make your license inactive.

Basic training change for 2027: Officers first licensed on or after August 28, 2027 must have at least six hours of basic training on racial profiling, implicit bias and de-escalation (two hours each).

Sources

• Missouri POST - Licensing Information
• Missouri POST - 2026 CLEE Training and Reporting Requirements
• 11 CSR 75-13 - Peace Officer License (Missouri Secretary of State)
• RSMo 590.030 - Peace officer licensing
• RSMo 590.040 - Basic training hours