How to Become a Police Officer in Texas

Who can apply

• You must be at least 21 years old, or 18 if you have an associate's degree, 60 semester hours from an accredited college, or an honorable discharge after at least two years of active military service.
• You must have a high school diploma or have passed the GED. For enrollment in a basic peace officer academy only, an honorable discharge after at least 24 months of active duty also counts.
• You must be a U.S. citizen, or a legal permanent resident who is an honorably discharged veteran with at least two years of service and has applied for citizenship.
• You must never have been convicted of an offense above a Class B misdemeanor, or of a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years. The same limits apply to court-ordered community supervision or probation.
• You must never have been convicted of, or placed on community supervision for, a family violence offense.
• You must not be barred by state or federal law from driving a motor vehicle or possessing firearms or ammunition.
• You must pass fingerprint-based criminal records checks, a background investigation, a medical and drug exam by a Texas-licensed physician, and a psychological exam by a Texas-licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.
• You must never have received a dishonorable discharge, and must not have a TCOLE license denied, revoked, suspended or surrendered.

Step by step

1. Enroll in a TCOLE-approved basic peace officer academy. The academy must have proof on file that you meet the licensing standards before you enroll.
2. Complete the Basic Peace Officer Course (currently 736 hours) or a TCOLE-approved academic alternative program with at least an associate's degree.
3. Take and pass the state peace officer licensing exam within 180 days of finishing the course (three attempts allowed).
4. Get appointed by a Texas law enforcement agency. The agency runs its background checks and submits the L1 appointment application.
5. TCOLE approves the appointment before you perform any peace officer duties.

Training and exam

Training: You must complete TCOLE's current Basic Peace Officer Course at a licensed academy. TCOLE's own chart shows the course has been 736 hours since October 1, 2023 (720 hours before that). Academies may teach more hours than the minimum. A TCOLE-approved academic alternative program, combined with at least an associate's degree, also qualifies.

Exam: TCOLE gives the state peace officer licensing exam, administered by commission staff or designated proctors. You get three attempts, and all must be completed within 180 days of finishing the licensing course. If you fail all three, run out of time, or are dismissed for cheating, you must repeat the basic course. If you pass but are not appointed by an agency within two years, the license goes to inactive status.

What it costs in Texas

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

How long it takes

All three exam attempts must be used within 180 days of finishing the basic course, and you must be appointed within two years of passing the exam to keep the license active.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: Peace officers must complete at least 40 hours of continuing education every two-year training unit, including the legislative update. Officers must also complete at least 16 hours of active shooter response training, and all peace officers must complete ALERRT Level 1 by August 31, 2027. Officers below intermediate proficiency must take Cultural Diversity, Special Investigative Topics, Crisis Intervention and De-escalation each four-year cycle.

Good to know in Texas

Required courses after licensing: Newly licensed officers must complete Human Trafficking, Canine Encounters, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Drivers, Civilian Interaction Training, and the 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training within two years of being licensed.

Officers from other states: Out-of-state officers with POST-approved basic training and at least two continuous years of full-time service may qualify to take the Texas licensing exam after completing the Texas Supplemental Peace Officer Course (1018) and several required Texas courses. Apply to TCOLE first; training taken before approval does not count. You then have 180 days to finish the coursework. Officers with less than 10 years of service who left their last full-time job more than 10 years ago must attend a full Texas academy.

Provisional license: TCOLE may issue a provisional license to an agency for a specific person. It cannot be transferred and expires 12 months from the original appointment date or when the person leaves the agency.

Medical and psych timing: The medical and psychological declarations must be dated within 180 days before appointment. Exams done for the academy can stay valid for 180 days after graduation if the hiring agency accepts them.

Misdemeanor waiver: If an old Class A or B misdemeanor conviction or deferred adjudication would otherwise disqualify you, the chief of the hiring agency can ask TCOLE for a waiver five years after the conviction or start of community supervision. Each person gets only one waiver request.

Sources

• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
• 37 Tex. Admin. Code 217.1 - Minimum Standards for Initial Licensure (Cornell LII)
• 37 Tex. Admin. Code 217.7 - Reporting the Appointment and Separation of a Licensee (Cornell LII)
• 37 Tex. Admin. Code 219.1 - Eligibility to Take State Examinations (Cornell LII)
• 37 Tex. Admin. Code 218.3 - Legislatively Required Continuing Education (Cornell LII)
• TCOLE - Out of State Officer Eligibility Packet
• 37 Tex. Admin. Code 211.30 - Chief Administrator Responsibilities for Class A and B Waivers (Cornell LII)