1. Who qualifies for the military fee exemption (SB 807)?
Active Duty Military Service Member: a person currently serving on active duty orders in the armed forces of the United States or the Texas military forces, as defined by Texas Government Code §437.001, or similar military service of another state. This does not include basic training or annual training.
Military Veteran: a person who has served on active duty and who was discharged or released from active duty. This does not include basic training or annual training.
Active Military Spouse: a person who is married to an active duty military service member who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for licensure in this state; or a military spouse who, within five years preceding the application date, held the license in this state.
2. What fees are waived with the military fee exemption (SB 807)?
For qualified applicants, the application fees for individual original and renewal applications are waived. Applicants will be responsible for the subscription fee, pocket card fee, and the FBI fee.
The military fee exemption does not include any company license fees. Please see Military Exemption Fee Schedule (pdf).
3. How do I apply for the military fee exemption?
Submit an application through the TOPS website. As part of the application process you will need to provide proof of your military status. Supporting documents will be required to quality for the exemption.
4. What supporting documentation do I need to submit with my application to obtain the military fee exemption?
Active Duty Military Service Member: A copy of your active military ID card (front only) and copy of current orders.
Military Veteran: A copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy – 4, Member Copy – 2, or NGB Form 22).
Active Military Spouse: A copy of your spouse's current orders, a copy of your marriage certificate, and a copy of your Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) document. Lastly, the exemption only applies to a military spouse who, within five years preceding the application date, held the license in this state OR a military spouse who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for licensure in this state. If you are currently licensed in Texas, you will not need to submit a copy of your pocket card. If licensed in another jurisdiction, you will need to submit a copy of your out-of-state license.
Note: The following training documents must be submitted with all original applications:
- Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Security Officer Applicants: Level II Certificate of Completion
- Commissioned Security Officer Applicants: Level III Certificate of Completion
- Personal Protection Officer Applicants: Level IV Training Certificate of Completion Proof of completion of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory test or equivalent (proof of completion of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory test shall be submitted on the Declaration of Psychological and Emotional Health form and shall be signed by a licensed psychologist).
5. My license expired while I was serving as an active duty military service member. Do I need to pay the late fees?
No. Late fees will be waived, if the individual was serving as an Active Duty Military Service Member in this state or any other state. Applicants seeking this exemption will need to submit a copy of their orders reflecting they were on active duty.
6. I am a qualifying Active Duty Military Service Member, Military Veteran or an Active Duty Military Spouse, seeking to take the company representative examination. Does the military fee exemption waive the company representative examination fee?
Yes, if you are a qualifying Active Duty Military Service Member, Military Veteran or an Active Duty Military Spouse, the company representative examination fee will be waived.