Start Your Journey
Three steps from interest to application.
Step Up & Serve is the national resource for people considering a career in American law enforcement. We are not a hiring agency — we route you to the people who are. Find your state's authoritative training board, sheriffs' association, chiefs of police association, and the national resources that get applicants hired every day.
How this works
Hiring happens at the agency level. Step Up & Serve helps you find the right agency.
1
Pick your role
Sworn officer or deputy? Correctional officer? 9-1-1 dispatcher? Each path has its own training and timeline. Start on the Career Seekers page if you're still deciding.
2
Find agencies in your state
Open your state in the directory below. Each state lists its POST board, sheriffs' association, and chiefs of police association — the authoritative starting points for any agency hiring in that state.
3
Apply directly to the agency
Sheriff's offices, police departments, jails, and 9-1-1 centers each handle their own hiring. Visit the agency's website and follow their published application process. The typical 14-step process is documented on our Application Process page.
Find your state
Every state has authoritative bodies that govern law enforcement hiring. Open your state to see the starting-point resources for that state.
Alabama
State POST BoardAlabama POST Commission (APOSTC)
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 19. High school diploma or GED (plus a state basic-ability test, or an associate degree). Felony convictions are disqualifying. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Alabama Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 19. High school diploma or GED. Same statewide framework as sworn officers. Alabama Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age and background are set by the hiring department. A state-approved 40-hour training course and exam are required for certification. Alabama 911 Board rules →
Alaska
State POST BoardAlaska Police Standards Council
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Alaska Police Standards Council →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Alaska Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Alaska Public Safety Communications →
Arizona
State POST BoardArizona POST
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Arizona 911 Program →
Arkansas
State POST BoardArkansas CLEST
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Arkansas Division of Correction →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. A 40-hour telecommunicator training course is standard. Arkansas 911 Board →
California
State POST BoardCalifornia POST
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards, and case-by-case waivers are possible. California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 21 (applicants may apply at age 20). High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation →
9-1-1 dispatcher — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual centers may set stricter standards. California POST dispatcher requirements →
Colorado
State POST BoardColorado POST
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Board →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments set their own standards; check the source below for current rules. Colorado Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Colorado 911 Resource Center →
Connecticut
State POST BoardConnecticut POST Council
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Connecticut Department of Correction →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Connecticut Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications →
Delaware
State POST BoardDelaware POST
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Delaware Council on Police Training →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Delaware Department of Correction →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information.
District of Columbia
State POST BoardDC POST Board
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Metropolitan Police Department careers →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. DC Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. DC Office of Unified Communications →
Florida
State POST BoardFlorida CJSTC (FDLE)
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 19. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Florida Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Age and education standards are set by the hiring agency; there is no uniform state minimum. A state 911 telecommunicator training program is available. Florida Department of Health 911 program →
Georgia
State POST BoardGeorgia POST
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Georgia Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency 911 →
Hawaii
State POST BoardHawaii Law Enforcement Standards Board
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Hawaii Law Enforcement Standards Board →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information.
Idaho
State POST BoardIdaho POST
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Idaho Department of Correction →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Idaho POST public safety communicator standards →
Illinois
State POST BoardIllinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board (ILETSB)
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments set their own standards; check the source below for current rules. Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Illinois Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Illinois State Police Statewide 911 Administration →
Indiana
State POST BoardIndiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA)
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Indiana Law Enforcement Academy →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Indiana Department of Correction →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Indiana Statewide 911 Board →
Iowa
State POST BoardIowa Law Enforcement Academy
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Iowa Law Enforcement Academy →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Iowa Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Iowa 911 Program →
Kansas
State POST BoardKansas Commission on POST
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Kansas Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Kansas Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Kansas 911 Coordinating Council →
Kentucky
State POST BoardKentucky Law Enforcement Council
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Kentucky Law Enforcement Council →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Kentucky Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Kentucky 911 Services Board →
Louisiana
State POST BoardLouisiana POST Council
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement POST →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Louisiana Statewide 911 →
Maine
State POST BoardMaine Criminal Justice Academy
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Maine Criminal Justice Academy →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Maine Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. A 40-hour telecommunicator training course is standard. Maine Emergency Services Communication Bureau →
Maryland
State POST BoardMaryland Police Training & Standards Commission
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments set their own standards; check the source below for current rules. Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. A 40-hour telecommunicator training course is standard.
Massachusetts
State POST BoardMassachusetts POST Commission
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21 by academy graduation. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 19. High school diploma or GED (three years of honorable military service accepted as an alternative). Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Massachusetts Department of Correction →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. A 40-hour telecommunicator training course is standard. Massachusetts State 911 Department →
Michigan
State POST BoardMichigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES)
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED; an associate degree is typically required by the academy. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED plus 15 semester college credits. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Michigan Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. A 40-hour telecommunicator training course is standard. Michigan State 911 Committee →
Minnesota
State POST BoardMinnesota POST Board
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21 at licensure. Associate degree required, plus a state-approved peace officer education program. State law disqualifies felony convictions and specific listed misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18 (21 for the juvenile facility at Red Wing). High school diploma or GED; an associate degree in a related field or qualifying experience is typical. Felony convictions are disqualifying. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Minnesota Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. There is no uniform statewide misdemeanor disqualifier; hiring agencies set their own standards. A 40-hour telecommunicator training course is standard. Minnesota Emergency Communication Networks →
Mississippi
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Mississippi Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. A 40-hour telecommunicator training course is standard. Mississippi Public Service Commission 911 →
Missouri
State POST BoardMissouri POST Program
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Missouri POST Program →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED plus two years of related work experience or 30 college credits per year of experience missing. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Missouri Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. A 40-hour telecommunicator training course is standard. Missouri 911 Service Board →
Montana
State POST BoardMontana POST Council
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18 to be appointed, 21 to be fully certified. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Council →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Montana Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. A 40-hour telecommunicator training course is standard. Montana 911 Program →
Nebraska
State POST BoardNebraska Crime Commission
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Nebraska Crime Commission Training Standards →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Nebraska Department of Correctional Services →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information.
Nevada
State POST BoardNevada POST
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Nevada Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED; a bachelor's degree or one year of correctional-officer experience is required for the senior correctional officer role. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Nevada Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information.
New Hampshire
State POST BoardNew Hampshire Police Standards & Training Council
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21 (State Police accept applicants at 18). High school diploma or GED — the State Police additionally require an associate degree, 60 college credits, or a high school diploma plus two years of law-enforcement or military experience. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 20. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments set their own standards; check the source below for current rules. New Hampshire Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. A 40-hour telecommunicator training course is standard.
New Jersey
State POST BoardNJ Office of Law Enforcement Professional Standards
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. New Jersey Police Training Commission →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. New Jersey Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information.
New Mexico
State POST BoardNew Mexico Law Enforcement Academy
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. New Mexico Corrections Department →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. New Mexico 911 Program →
New York
State POST BoardNY DCJS Office of Public Safety
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 20. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. New York State Municipal Police Training Council →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — There is no uniform statewide age or education standard — hiring agencies set their own requirements. A 40-hour telecommunicator training course is standard.
North Carolina
State POST BoardNC Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards
Sheriffs Training StandardsNC Sheriffs Education & Training Standards
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 20. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 20. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. North Carolina Department of Adult Correction →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. North Carolina 911 Board →
North Dakota
State POST BoardNorth Dakota POST Board
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Age and physical standards are set by the state POST board and the hiring agency. High school diploma or GED. State law disqualifies felonies, sex offenses, domestic-violence convictions, child-abuse offenses, and firearms offenses. Individual departments may set stricter standards. North Dakota POST Board rules →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma plus two years of college, or two years of corrections, law enforcement, or military-police experience. State standards disqualify certain violent, drug, and theft misdemeanors. North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — There is no uniform state standard. Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information.
Ohio
State POST BoardOhio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC)
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Ohio 911 Program Office →
Oklahoma
State POST BoardOklahoma CLEET
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 20. High school diploma or GED, or 30 college semester credits; state correctional-officer training is required within six months of hire. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Oklahoma Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information.
Oregon
State POST BoardOregon DPSST
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED, or a four-year degree; an academic proficiency test is required. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Oregon Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Age standards are set by the hiring agency. High school diploma or GED, or a four-year degree; a proficiency test is required. Oregon Office of Emergency Management 911 Program →
Pennsylvania
State POST BoardPennsylvania MPOETC
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED and a demonstrated reading level. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Pennsylvania Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Age standards are set by the hiring agency. There is no uniform state education floor; the state emergency-management agency requires a multi-week training course and exam. Pennsylvania 911 Program →
Rhode Island
State POST BoardRhode Island Municipal Police Academy
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Rhode Island Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Rhode Island E-911 Uniform Emergency Telephone System →
South Carolina
State POST BoardSouth Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. South Carolina Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. South Carolina 911 Advisory Committee →
South Dakota
State POST BoardSouth Dakota Law Enforcement Training Commission
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or equivalent. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Standards Commission →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments set their own standards; check the source below for current rules. South Dakota Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information.
Tennessee
State POST BoardTennessee POST Commission
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or equivalent. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Tennessee Department of Correction →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Age standards are set by the hiring agency. High school diploma or GED is typical. Tennessee Emergency Communications Board →
Texas
State POST BoardTexas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21 (or 18 with an associate degree, 60 college credit hours, or two years of honorable military service). High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction, any family-violence conviction, or any Class B misdemeanor within the past ten years is disqualifying. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Texas Commission on Law Enforcement rules →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction and any family-violence conviction are disqualifying. A Class A misdemeanor within the past ten years or a Class B misdemeanor within the past three years is also disqualifying. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Texas Department of Criminal Justice →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Same state framework as peace officers: any felony, any family-violence conviction, or a Class B misdemeanor within ten years is disqualifying. Texas Commission on Law Enforcement rules →
Utah
State POST BoardUtah POST
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 19 (state postings often list 21). High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments set their own standards; check the source below for current rules. Utah Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Utah 911 Committee →
Vermont
State POST BoardVermont Criminal Justice Council
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Vermont Criminal Justice Council →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED plus two years of full-time work experience. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Vermont Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Vermont Enhanced 911 Board →
Virginia
State POST BoardVirginia DCJS
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or equivalent. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Virginia Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Virginia 911 Services Board →
Washington
State POST BoardWashington CJTC
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 21. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Washington State Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Washington State 911 Coordination Office →
West Virginia
State POST BoardWest Virginia Law Enforcement Training
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. West Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Subcommittee →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Age standards are set by the hiring agency. High school diploma or GED is typical.
Wisconsin
State POST BoardWisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED plus 60 college credits, or a two-year associate degree. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Wisconsin Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age, education, and background standards are set locally by the hiring agency. Applicants should review local job postings for more information. Wisconsin 911 Grant Program →
Wyoming
State POST BoardWyoming POST
State Sheriffs' AssociationVisit website
State Chiefs of Police AssociationVisit website
Entry requirements at a glance
Deputy / municipal officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED, and a good-moral-character standard applies. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual departments may set stricter standards. Wyoming Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission →
Correctional officer — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Any felony conviction is disqualifying under state law. Individual facilities may set stricter standards. Wyoming Department of Corrections →
9-1-1 telecommunicator — Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED. Wyoming 911 Coordination Office →
A note on federal law: Federal law bars anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm, which effectively disqualifies applicants for sworn law-enforcement roles. This applies in every state. ATF: Identify Prohibited Persons →
National resources
Authoritative national directories, aggregators, and federal hiring portals.
Sworn officer & deputy positions (multi-agency)
DiscoverPolicing.org
IACP-backed national career hub for police officers and deputies. Job listings, agency search, profession overview.
PoliceApp
Long-running aggregator. Search local and state agency openings by ZIP code.
PoliceOne / Police1 Jobs
Job board hosted on the Police1 news platform.
NSA Sheriffs Career Center
National Sheriffs' Association — career resources for sheriff's office positions.
Federal law enforcement
USAJOBS — Law Enforcement
Federal job portal. Filter for law enforcement, criminal investigator, and security positions.
FBI Careers
Special agents, intelligence analysts, professional staff.
U.S. Marshals Service
Federal law enforcement careers — deputy U.S. marshals, court security, prisoner operations.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Border patrol agents, customs officers, air & marine.
DEA Careers
Drug Enforcement Administration — special agents, intelligence analysts.
9-1-1 dispatchers & telecommunicators
APCO International
The largest professional organization for public-safety communications officials. Career resources, training, certification.
NENA — National Emergency Number Association
The 911 association. Training, certification, professional development.
Correctional officers
American Correctional Association (ACA)
Professional development, accreditation, career resources for corrections.
American Jail Association
Resources specifically for local jail and county correctional careers.
Federal Bureau of Prisons Careers
Federal correctional officer positions through BOP.
IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police)
IACP — Find Your State Association of Chiefs
IACP's directory of state chiefs of police associations — for municipal PD recruitment in your state.
Before you apply: a short prep checklist
- Watch the relevant role video and read the Voices library to confirm this is the work you want to do.
- Read our Application Process page so you know what to expect — three to nine months from application to swearing in for sworn positions.
- Verify your state's minimum age requirement. Most states require 21 by the start of training; some hire at 18 for cadet or non-sworn roles.
- Take a fitness baseline. The POWER test (push-ups, sit-ups, sit-and-reach, 1.5-mile run) is standard for sworn positions and passable with preparation.
- Identify two or three references who know your work history well. Background investigators interview references.
- Pull together your records: employment history, education, residences for the last 10 years. The Personal History Statement is detailed.
- If you have past misdemeanors or other history, read your state's POST regulations early. Disqualifying convictions vary by state.
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Get Connected →Last verified 2026-07-16.
