FAQs
Continuing Education for Constables
What is a Constable?
A constable is a licensed peace officer who performs various law enforcement functions. They also serve legal documents and perform other duties.
What does a Constable Do in Texas?
A county constable in Texas has the following duties:
- Serves as a licensed peace officer and performs various law enforcement functions, including issuing traffic citations.
- Serves warrants and civil papers such as subpoenas and temporary restraining orders.
- Serves as bailiff for Justice Court.
For more complete information about the responsibilities of a constable and other county officials, see the "Guide to Texas Laws for County Officials."
Please note: Some duties performed by officials may vary within individual counties.
Constable Requirements
Constables are required to attain 40 hours of continuing education biannually, 20 hours of which must be in civil process. Per 2013 Texas Senate Bill No. 686, Texas Eighty-Third Legislature.
See the full continuing education requirements and moreCounty Constable Qualifications11
A County Constable must meet the following qualifications at the time of appointment or election:
- U.S. Citizen.
- Resident of Texas for at least 12 consecutive months.
- Resident of the district for at least six consecutive months.
- Registered to vote in the area of office sought.
- At least 18 years of age.
- Not have been finally convicted of a felony from which they have not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities.
- Not have been determined by a court with probate jurisdiction to be totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.
- An active or inactive licensed peace officer12.
Candidates for this office generally must meet the above qualifications at the time of filing.
For more information, see the Secretary of State Elections Division website.
Legal source: V.T.C.A., Tex. Occ. Code, Sec. 1701.3545
11Vernon's Ann. Texas Const. Art. 5, §18; V.T.C.A., Election Code §141.001; Local Government Code §86.0021; Occupations Code §1701.3545
12or be eligible to be licensed under Sections 1701.309 and 1701.312 of the Occupations Code and have at least an associate’s degree from an institution of higher education accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, or be a special investigator under Article 2.122(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, or be an honorably retired peace officer or honorably retired federal criminal investigator who holds a certificate of proficiency issued under Section 1701.357 of the Occupations Code.
Constables are required to attain 40 hours biannually, 20 hours of which must be in civil process. Per 2013 Texas Senate Bill No. 686, Texas Eighty-Third Legislature.
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Requirements - Continuing Education Deadlines for all Peace Officer Licensees
Commission Rule 217.11 Legislatively Required Continuing Education for Licensees requires that individuals appointed as peace officers shall complete at least 40 hours of continuing education training and must complete a training and education program that covers recent changes to the laws of this state and of the United States pertaining to peace officers every 24-month unit of a training cycle. Included within the 40-hour requirement are other legislative required topics., which are listed below.
Legislatively required continuing education requirements for the current training cycle for peace officers holding a Basic Certification are as follows:
| Course Topics | Course Number |
Deadline |
| Special Investigative Topics |
3232 or 3737 | 08/31/19 |
| Cultural Diversity | 3939 or 3737 | 08/31/19 |
| Crisis Intervention Training |
3840, 3841, 4001 |
08/31/19 |
*Note the above courses are mandatory, but can be used as part of the 40 hours required in either unit.
| Requirement | Time Frame |
| 40 hours in the first unit - any topic(s) | 09/01/17 - 08/31/19 |
| 40 hours in the second unit - any topic(s) | 09/01/19- 08/31/21 |
Constables
Each constable must complete at least 40 hours of continuing education through the Bill Blackwood Institute during the current 4-year training cycle. (Occupation Code 1701.3545)
- Newly elected or appointed constables must take Course 3742 New Constable’s Course within 2 years of appointment or election. (Occupation Code 1701.3545(d))
- Constables who have already completed the requirements of a newly elected or appointed constables must take Course 3743, Constable’s Continuing Education each cycle. (Occupation Code 1701.3545(d))
Deputy Constables
Deputy constables are required (unless waived by their elected constable) to have the 20-hour civil process course (3101 or 3131) as part of the above requirements, but their deadlines vary and some waivers based on assignment may apply. Each deputy is also required to take a 2-hour bi-annual legislative update as a part of their on-going training.
Programs that Qualify
For constables, any approved by TCOLE.
Filing for Credit
For constables: Training coordinators report hours earned to TCOLE. Records of Texas Justice Court Training Center training of civil process for constables are recorded by TJCTC and forwarded to TCOLE.
Legal Source
V.T.C.A., Tex. Occ. Code, Sec. 1701.3545
Open Government Training Information
Elected and appointed public officials are required by a state law to receive training in Texas open government laws. For more information on this training including free video training courses, check out The Office of the Attorney General website.
County Official Organizations
The Texas Association of Counties serves as the umbrella organization for various independent county official organizations in Texas. These organizations serve as an important resource for county officials for information, networking and advocacy.
The association for this office is Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas.
For more information about training courses, view the Texas Justice Court Training Center event calendar.
See our full calendar of upcoming events
Designed and guided by county officials, our professionally planned educational activities also offer great opportunities to network with your peers.
Coordinating body
TCOLE
6330 U.S. Highway 290 East, Suite 200
Austin, Texas 78723
The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) is the permanent contact for constables hours.
Contact
(512) 936-7700