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Military

Getting a License if you are military police or special forces

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) welcomes law enforcement officers from the military.  Please carefully review the appropriate application found under the Forms and Applications section of our website.

You must meet ALL of the work, training and application requirements. You will be required to complete an initial application, including fingerprints through FAST, to determine your eligibility.  Please do not proceed to next steps until your eligibility has been approved.  If you are approved, you will receive further instructions by mail.  Please allow two weeks for TCOLE to review your initial application.

In order to become licensed as a peace officer in Texas, you must meet the minimum standards for initial licensure (§217.1.) and complete the following steps:

Military Police

  1. Approval of the initial eligibility form;
  2. Successful completion of the Texas Supplemental Peace Officer course (1018) (instructions provided with eligibility approval);
  3. Successful completion of the TCOLE Rules Overview (1305) (instructions provided with eligibility approval);
  4. Approval of the exam application, and receive endorsement from TCOLE (exam application provided only when eligibility is approved);
  5. Passing of the state licensing examination; and
  6. Appointment by a law enforcement agency within two years from the date of your passed examination.

The examination endorsement, issued by TCOLE, allows three attempts that must be completed within 180 days from issuance.  The Texas basic licensing course must be completed if:

·the initial application for eligibility is not approved; or

·the examinee fails all three attempts to pass the licensing exam; or

·the examinee fails to complete all three attempts within 180 days from the completion date of the licensing course; or

·the examinee is dismissed from an exam for cheating. If dismissed from an exam for cheating, all remaining attempts are invalidated.

Please contact our staff for any questions or clarification regarding the documentation that must be submitted with the eligibility form.  Do not make assumptions you will be accepted until your eligibility has been approved.

For more information about the qualifications and requirements see the application called "Military Police Initial Application" on our Forms and Applications page.

Special Forces:

  1. Approval of the initial eligibility form;
  2. Successful completion of the Special Forces Veterans Peace Officer Course (1030) (instructions provided with eligibility approval);
  3. Successful completion of the Texas Supplemental Peace Officer course (1018) (instructions provided with eligibility approval);
  4. Successful completion of the TCOLE Rules Overview (1305) (instructions provided with eligibility approval);
  5. Approval of the exam application, and receive endorsement from TCOLE (exam application provided only when eligibility is approved);
  6. Passing of the state licensing examination; and
  7. Appointment by a law enforcement agency within two years from the date of your passed examination.

The examination endorsement, issued by TCOLE, allows three attempts that must be completed within 180 days from issuance.  The Texas basic licensing course must be completed if:

·the initial application for eligibility is not approved; or

·the examinee fails all three attempts to pass the licensing exam; or

·the examinee fails to complete all three attempts within 180 days from the completion date of the licensing course; or

·the examinee is dismissed from an exam for cheating. If dismissed from an exam for cheating, all remaining attempts are invalidated.

Please contact our staff for any questions or clarification regarding the documentation that must be submitted with the eligibility form.  Do not make assumptions you will be accepted until your eligibility has been approved.

For more information about the qualifications and requirements see the application called "Special Forces Initial Application" on our Forms and Applications page.