How to Become a Texas Correctional Officer

Advance in your career as a corections officer.

Maintaining the peace, monitoring inmate activities, administering first aid and protecting visitors in a corrections facility are a few of the many duties assigned to corrections officers. To become a corrections officer in Texas, you must pass a pre-test and interview and complete a training course. Depending on where you want to work, employment opportunities in Texas correctional facilities vary.

Things You'll Need

• TDCJ Human Services Division application
• Driver's license
• Social Security card
• High school or college diploma

Instructions

1. Download application documents from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Human Services Division website. Bring completed application forms to the correctional officer screening pre-test and interview. Pre-tests include 100 multiple-choice questions that test reasoning, reading comprehension, math, memory and observation skills. Interviews are given to those who successfully complete testing. Sample tests are available on the TDCJ website.

2. Schedule correctional officer screening. Select a town listed on Texas Department of Criminal Justice Human Resources Division website. Fill out the online form and select a screening date and time. Bring photocopies of your driver's license, Social Security card, high school or college diploma or transcript and selective service registration card to the screening. If you served in the military, bring a copy of military records.

3. Pass a physical agility test prior to correctional officer training. This test includes push-ups, sit-ups and running 1/4 mile in under 5 minutes.

4. Attend a five-week training course at a Texas Department of Criminal Justice Training Academy located in Gatesville, Beeville, Huntsville, Palestine, Plainview or Rosharon, Texas. Defense tactics, firearm training, CPR, physical training and non-violent crisis intervention are some of the training topics.

Tips & Warnings

• Employment opportunities in the department of corrections vary based on need. To advance in corrections, you must first become a correctional officer (CO-I) and then a correctional officer (CO-V).

• If convicted of a felony, the only way to become a corrections officer is if the conviction is pardoned or expunged from your record.

References

• Texas Department of Criminal Justice Human Resources Division Screening Calendar
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice Human Resources Division FAQ

Resources

• Texas Department of Criminal Justice Human Resources Division: Corrections Application Forms