Basic Requirements For Trooper

All applicants must meet the basic requirements outlined below for entrance into training for the position of Trooper in the Texas Highway Patrol.

With few exceptions, you have the right to request and be informed about information that the State of Texas collects about you. You are entitled to receive and review the information upon request. You also have the right to ask the state agency to correct any information that is determined to be incorrect. (Reference: Texas Government Code, Sections 522.021, 552.023 and 559.004).

Physical: Before employment, each applicant will be examined by a physician. Click here for Physical Fitness Requirements

Vision: Distant visual acuity of any degree that does not correct with spectacle lenses to an least one of the following:

20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye
20/30 in one eye and 20/400 in the other eye
20/20 in one eye and 20/400 in the other eye

Current near visual acuity of any degree that does not correct to 20/40 in the better eye
Current refractive error (hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism in excess of -8.00 or +8.00 diopters spherical equivalent or astigmatism in excess of 3.00 diopters.

Age: Applicants must be at least 20 years of age on the date of probationary appointment to the position of trooper-trainee. There is no maximum age limit to apply to become a Texas State Trooper.

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

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Out of state police officers will need a letter from their state peace officer licensing agency (TCLEOSE 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.
  4. All military or law enforcement experience substituted for college semester hours must be verifiable.
  5. 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.