Current Statutes
The Commission is empowered by statute to create rules for the regulation of law enforcement agencies and licensees by the Occupations Code, Title 10, Occupations Related to Law Enforcement and Security, Chapter 1701, Law Enforcement Officers. A link to this chapter is provided below from the Texas Constitution and Statutes website.
Current Rules
Commission rules are divided into chapters that group similar topics together in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Public Safety and Corrections, Part 7, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Links to these chapters with a brief description are provided below from the Texas Secretary of State's Texas Administrative Code website.
- Part 7 -- Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Main Page
- Chapter 211 -- Administration (definitions used throughout the rules and agency requirements)
- Chapter 215 -- Training and Educational Providers (requirements for training providers and training coordinators)
- Chapter 217 -- Enrollment, Licensing, Appointment, and Separation (minimum standards for enrollment or licensure and requirements for appointment and separation)
- Chapter 218 -- Continuing Education (continuing education requirements)
- Chapter 219 -- Prelicensing, Reactivation, Tests, and Endorsements (licensing exam requirements)
- Chapter 221 -- Proficiency Certificates (proficiency certificate requirements)
- Chapter 223 -- Enforcement (actions taken by Commission against licensees and agencies)
- Chapter 225 -- Specialized Licenses (requirements for contract jailers and medical peace officers)
- Chapter 227 -- School Marshals (requirements for school marshals and ISDs)
- Chapter 229 -- Texas Peace Officers' Memorial Monument (requirements for inclusion on the Memorial)
Public Comment: Proposed Rules
Proposed rules are open for public comment. Public comments may be submitted electronically to public.comment@tcole.texas.gov or in writing to Mr. John Beauchamp, General Counsel, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, 6330 East Highway 290, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78723-1035. The proposed rules will be considered for adoption during the listed Commission Meeting.
| Proposed Rules | Get File | Texas Register Issue | Commission Meeting Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proposed Rule - 211.30 (Amended) | May 2, 2025 | June 12, 2025 | |
| Proposed Rule - 217.7 (Amended) | May 9, 2025 | June 12, 2025 |
Adopted Rules
These are new, amended, or repealed rules that have recently been finally adopted by the Commission.
| Adopted Rules | Get File | Texas Register Issue | Effective Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rule 211.30 (Amended) | July 25, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | Requires PHS and background investigation report for misdemeanor waiver request packets | |
| Rule 217.7 (Amended) | July 25, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | Requires fingerprint-based criminal background check for all appointments | |
| Rule 211.16 (Amended) | April 25, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | Allows use of personally-owned patrol vehicles for certain agencies | |
| Rules 211.27-211.29 (Amended) | April 25, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | Removes E-1 reporting requirement for licensees and appointing agencies; requires chief administrators to report failed L-2s, L-3s, FFDEs, and drug screens to TCOLE | |
| Rule 211.41 (New) | April 25, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | Provides vendors a process to protest TCOLE procurement actions | |
| Rule 215.9 (Amended) | April 25, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | Requires training coordinators to report failed L-2s and L-3s to TCOLE | |
| Rule 219.2 (Amended) | April 25, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | Increases the types of federal criminal investigators that may receive reciprocity for licensure consideration |
TCOLE Statutes and Rules Handbook
The Rules Process
Additional information about Administrative Rules and Open Meetings is available at the Texas Register website: Texas Register