Texas POST Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Age: Normally at least 21; 18–20 allowed with certain college credit, military service, or other TCOLE-approved criteria.
• Education: High school diploma or GED; some agencies require college hours or a degree.
• Citizenship: U.S. citizen.
• Driver license: Valid driver license (Texas or convertible to Texas) with acceptable driving record.
• Criminal history: No felony convictions; no Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years; never convicted of Class A misdemeanor or family-violence offense; must not be prohibited from carrying a firearm.
• Other requirements:
  • Pass an extensive background investigation with fingerprint check.
  • Pass psychological exam, medical exam, and drug screening.
  • Meet TCOLE’s minimum standards and any additional hiring standards set by the appointing agency.

Physical Fitness Standards

TCOLE does not mandate a single statewide physical fitness test; physical standards are set by training academies and agencies, but candidates should expect structured fitness requirements.

• Timed run or walk-run (e.g., 1.5 mile run or similar cardio test).
• Push-ups and sit-ups or similar strength and endurance assessments.
• Agility or obstacle course (sprints, directional changes, simulated pursuits).

Each academy publishes its own physical readiness standards and recommended benchmarks; applicants should review those before applying.

Academy Training Requirements

Minimum academy hours: 640

The Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) is a state-approved curriculum typically running 640–800+ hours, covering Texas criminal law, traffic enforcement, firearms, defensive tactics, emergency response, investigations, and ethics.

Reference: Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic Peace Officer Course.

Reciprocity / Lateral Entry

Texas offers a pathway for experienced out-of-state, federal, and certain military police officers to obtain a Texas peace officer license, but there is no automatic reciprocity.

• Apply to TCOLE for evaluation of prior law enforcement training and service.
• Complete any required supplemental training (including a Texas-specific legal update course).
• Pass the Texas state licensing examination and meet all background and medical standards.

Exact steps depend on the applicant’s prior certification and experience; TCOLE publishes detailed reciprocity/licensing instructions for out-of-state and federal officers.

POST Contact Information

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
6330 East Highway 290, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78723
Phone: (512) 936-7700
Website: https://www.tcole.texas.gov

Official POST Requirements:
https://www.tcole.texas.gov