Education: Applicants must have a minimum of 60 college earned hours from a regional accredited college or university. Prior law enforcement or military experience at the following ratios may substitute for required semester hours:
| Semester Hours | Law Enforcement/Military | |
|---|---|---|
| 0-15 | Plus | 24 months |
| 16-30 | Plus | 18 months |
| 31-45 | Plus | 12 months |
| 46-59 | Plus | 6 months |
| Semester Hours | Military Reserve or National Guard | |
|---|---|---|
| 0-15 | Plus | 550 - 729 points or 6 yrs service |
| 16-30 | Plus | 367 - 549 points or 4.5 yrs service |
| 31-45 | Plus | 184 - 366 points or 3 yrs service |
| 46-59 | Plus | less than 184 or 1.5 yrs service |
Applicants substituting law enforcement or military experience for the college hours must, at a minimum, have obtained a GED or have graduated from high school.
- Military experience is defined as having served active duty time in the Armed Forces of the United States, including active duty service in any branch of the Reserves or National Guard.
- Law Enforcement officer experience is defined as time spent as a full-time paid employee performing police duties in a position with a governmental entity, which requires a license as a Texas Peace Officer or its equivalent in another state.
- Out of state police officers will need a letter from their state peace officer licensing agency (TCOLE equivalent) stating their peace officers license is valid and has not been subject to reprimand, suspension or revocation. Out of state police officers holding a Reserve Peace Officer Commission/License will not be eligible.
- All military or law enforcement experience substituted for college semester hours must be verifiable.
- Federal law enforcement applicants will need their 24 months service with one of the federal agencies listed in §2.122 Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Federal applicants will need a letter from their agency characterizing the nature of their federal service and if they had ever been subject to reprimand, suspension or revocation.