Police Entrance Exam Application

Patrol Officer Application Package

All applicants must meet the police minimum standards in order to apply for the written police entrance examination. For the online police application, you will need to create an applicant account and have an email address. Applicants may not share applicant account or email address. Applications will be rejected if incomplete. If claiming veteran's preference, you must upload a copy of an honorable discharge (Form DD-214), with application by the closing date. Application closing date June 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time). Applications will not be accepted after this date. After applying online, you must take the written examination which will be given on: Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Registration: 8:15 A.M. - 9:00 A.M. Test Time: 9:15 A.M. Location: SAMES Auto Arena 6700 Arena Boulevard Jacaman Road/Bob Bullock Loop 20 Laredo, Texas 78040 Please note: Valid driver's license must be presented at the test site. (If presenting a renewal card you must present other official state issued picture ID)

The City of Laredo is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to evaluating each candidate on a non-discriminatory basis. All applicants must meet the following qualifications in order to be eligible for and be placed on an employment eligibility list.

A. Minimum score Applicants must score a minimum of 70% or higher on the written examination.

B. Citizenship and residency You must be a United States citizen and reside in the United States.

C. Age requirement You must be between the ages of 21 and 42 years of age. Applicants between the ages of 18 to 20 years of age must have 60 college hours of study at an accredited college or university; or an Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university; or served two (2) years of active service in the U.S. Armed Forces with an honorable discharge to be eligible for employment. The college hours shall be from an accredited learning institution of higher education recognized by the State Board of Education in the State in which the college resides and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or a similar regional association recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Semester hours presented under this cause do not include Continuing Education Credits (CEU), Technical Training, or credit for Life Experience or any other training where college credit was given but specific letter or number grades were not assigned.

D. Appearance Applicants must demonstrate moderation and good judgment in their personal appearance and should project an appearance befitting that of a professional police officer. To that end, body art should not detract from an applicant's personal appearance.

Body art shall be defined as tattoos, piercings, branding, intentional scarring and intentional mutilation. This includes but is not limited to foreign objects inserted under the skin to create a design, effect, or pattern; a pierced, split, or forked tongue; stretched-out holes in the earlobes; excessive piercings of the ear; piercings of the cheek, nose, eyebrow, or lips.

Piercings of the ear that are not excessive in size or number are acceptable.

Inappropriate body art shall be defined as:

1. Body art that is offensive or obscene.
2. Body art that depicts or advocates discrimination based on sex, age, race, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, disability, and/or sexual orientation.
3. Body art that depicts or advocates gang affiliation, supremacist groups, or illegal drug use.

Applicants exhibiting the following shall be found unsuitable:

1. Inappropriate body art visible on any part of the body.
2. Body art on the head, face, neck, or hands.
3. Dental alterations that serve to exaggerate the shape or size of the teeth or mouth, that include but are not limited to alterations or mouth jewelry commonly referred to as "grillz", alterations or jewelry that resembles the teeth or mouths of animals or fictional characters.

Exceptions:

1. Wedding band tattoo on the left ring finger which symbolizes marriage as long as it can be covered by a traditional wedding band ring
2. Medical alert/information tattoo with approved medical documentation which may extend past the wrist and not covered by the regulation LPD long sleeved uniform.

E. Academics A person may not enroll in a peace officer training program under Chapter 170 I, Section 170 1.251 (a), Occupations Code of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) unless the person has received:

1. A high school diploma; or,
2. A high school equivalency certificate and must have completed and at least 12 college hours at an accredited college or institution of higher education with at least 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. The college hours shall be from an accredited learning institution of higher education recognized by the State Board of Education in the State in which the college resides and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or a similar regional association recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Semester hours presented under this cause do not include Continuing Education Credits (CEU), Technical Training, or credit for Life Experience or any other training where college credit was given but specific letter or number grades were not assigned; or
3. An honorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States after at least 24 months of active service.

Any applicant who has previously attended college or university must not currently be on scholastic probation, suspension or any other scholastic status that would prevent the applicant to be admitted into an institution of higher learning.

F. License requirement/record Applicants must have a valid driver's license at the time of the written entrance examination. Out-of-state residents and active duty military members may possess a valid driver's license of their home state at the time of application. All applicants are required to present a valid Texas driver's license at time of employment.

Applicant's driving record must reflect driving habits that are consistent with the safe operation of motor vehicles. You must not have an excessive record of moving traffic violations and traffic collisions. For purposes of this section, "excessive record of moving traffic violations" is defined as any of the following:

1. During the three (3) year period preceding the civil service written examination, the applicant must not have been cited for three (3) or more moving violations with a disposition other than "not guilty" or a non-conditional dismissal.
2. During the five (5) year period preceding the civil service written examination, the applicant must not have ten (10) or more traffic citations with any disposition other than "not guilty" or a non-conditional dismissal. Traffic citations under this subsection shall include all moving violations as well as invalid/no driver's license, seatbelt violations and financial responsibility ("insurance") citations.
3. The applicant must not have a suspension or revocation of driving privileges within the preceding two (2) years of the Civil Service written examination. Applicants deemed unsuitable under this cause are eligible to reapply after this disqualifying factor no longer exists.
4. The applicant must not have had more than three (3) collisions during the five (5) year period, preceding the Civil Service written examination where the applicant's actions were a determining factor to the cause of the accident, regardless of whether traffic citations were issued or not.
5. Applicants must not have any outstanding traffic warrants/capiases on the date of the Civil Service written examination. Applicants deemed unsuitable under this cause are eligible to reapply after this disqualifying factor no longer exists.

G. Criminal background The applicant must not have ever been convicted at any time of a felony offense. For the purpose of this requirement, a person is convicted of a felony when an adjudication of guilt for a felony offense is entered against the person by a court of competent jurisdiction whether or not:

1. The sentence is subsequently probated, and the person is discharged from probation;
2. The accusation, complaint, information, or indictment against the person is dismissed and the person is released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense, or;
3. The person is pardoned for the offense, unless the pardon is expressly granted for subsequent proof of innocence.
4. Applicants must not be currently charged with or under indictment for any felony offense.
5. Applicants must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor offense of "Class A" or "Class B" within the last ten (10) years preceding the date of the civil service written examination.
6. Applicants must not have been charged with any misdemeanor offense greater than a "

Patrol Officer Application Package

All applicants must meet the police minimum standards in order to apply for the written police entrance examination. For the online police application, you will need to create an applicant account and have an email address. Applicants may not share applicant account or email address. Applications will be rejected if incomplete. If claiming veteran's preference, you must upload a copy of an honorable discharge (Form DD-214), with application by the closing date. Application closing date June 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time). Applications will not be accepted after this date. After applying online, you must take the written examination which will be given on: Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Registration: 8:15 A.M. - 9:00 A.M. Test Time: 9:15 A.M. Location: SAMES Auto Arena 6700 Arena Boulevard Jacaman Road/Bob Bullock Loop 20 Laredo, Texas 78040 Please note: Valid driver's license must be presented at the test site. (If presenting a renewal card you must present other official state issued picture ID)

The City of Laredo is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to evaluating each candidate on a non-discriminatory basis. All applicants must meet the following qualifications in order to be eligible for and be placed on an employment eligibility list.

A. Minimum score Applicants must score a minimum of 70% or higher on the written examination.

B. Citizenship and residency You must be a United States citizen and reside in the United States.

C. Age requirement You must be between the ages of 21 and 42 years of age. Applicants between the ages of 18 to 20 years of age must have 60 college hours of study at an accredited college or university; or an Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university; or served two (2) years of active service in the U.S. Armed Forces with an honorable discharge to be eligible for employment. The college hours shall be from an accredited learning institution of higher education recognized by the State Board of Education in the State in which the college resides and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or a similar regional association recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Semester hours presented under this cause do not include Continuing Education Credits (CEU), Technical Training, or credit for Life Experience or any other training where college credit was given but specific letter or number grades were not assigned.

D. Appearance Applicants must demonstrate moderation and good judgment in their personal appearance and should project an appearance befitting that of a professional police officer. To that end, body art should not detract from an applicant's personal appearance.

Body art shall be defined as tattoos, piercings, branding, intentional scarring and intentional mutilation. This includes but is not limited to foreign objects inserted under the skin to create a design, effect, or pattern; a pierced, split, or forked tongue; stretched-out holes in the earlobes; excessive piercings of the ear; piercings of the cheek, nose, eyebrow, or lips.

Piercings of the ear that are not excessive in size or number are acceptable.

Inappropriate body art shall be defined as:

1. Body art that is offensive or obscene.
2. Body art that depicts or advocates discrimination based on sex, age, race, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, disability, and/or sexual orientation.
3. Body art that depicts or advocates gang affiliation, supremacist groups, or illegal drug use.

Applicants exhibiting the following shall be found unsuitable:

1. Inappropriate body art visible on any part of the body.
2. Body art on the head, face, neck, or hands.
3. Dental alterations that serve to exaggerate the shape or size of the teeth or mouth, that include but are not limited to alterations or mouth jewelry commonly referred to as "grillz", alterations or jewelry that resembles the teeth or mouths of animals or fictional characters.

Exceptions:

1. Wedding band tattoo on the left ring finger which symbolizes marriage as long as it can be covered by a traditional wedding band ring
2. Medical alert/information tattoo with approved medical documentation which may extend past the wrist and not covered by the regulation LPD long sleeved uniform.

E. Academics A person may not enroll in a peace officer training program under Chapter 170 I, Section 170 1.251 (a), Occupations Code of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) unless the person has received:

1. A high school diploma; or,
2. A high school equivalency certificate and must have completed and at least 12 college hours at an accredited college or institution of higher education with at least 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. The college hours shall be from an accredited learning institution of higher education recognized by the State Board of Education in the State in which the college resides and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or a similar regional association recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Semester hours presented under this cause do not include Continuing Education Credits (CEU), Technical Training, or credit for Life Experience or any other training where college credit was given but specific letter or number grades were not assigned; or
3. An honorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States after at least 24 months of active service.

Any applicant who has previously attended college or university must not currently be on scholastic probation, suspension or any other scholastic status that would prevent the applicant to be admitted into an institution of higher learning.

F. License requirement/record Applicants must have a valid driver's license at the time of the written entrance examination. Out-of-state residents and active duty military members may possess a valid driver's license of their home state at the time of application. All applicants are required to present a valid Texas driver's license at time of employment.

Applicant's driving record must reflect driving habits that are consistent with the safe operation of motor vehicles. You must not have an excessive record of moving traffic violations and traffic collisions. For purposes of this section, "excessive record of moving traffic violations" is defined as any of the following:

1. During the three (3) year period preceding the civil service written examination, the applicant must not have been cited for three (3) or more moving violations with a disposition other than "not guilty" or a non-conditional dismissal.
2. During the five (5) year period preceding the civil service written examination, the applicant must not have ten (10) or more traffic citations with any disposition other than "not guilty" or a non-conditional dismissal. Traffic citations under this subsection shall include all moving violations as well as invalid/no driver's license, seatbelt violations and financial responsibility ("insurance") citations.
3. The applicant must not have a suspension or revocation of driving privileges within the preceding two (2) years of the Civil Service written examination. Applicants deemed unsuitable under this cause are eligible to reapply after this disqualifying factor no longer exists.
4. The applicant must not have had more than three (3) collisions during the five (5) year period, preceding the Civil Service written examination where the applicant's actions were a determining factor to the cause of the accident, regardless of whether traffic citations were issued or not.
5. Applicants must not have any outstanding traffic warrants/capiases on the date of the Civil Service written examination. Applicants deemed unsuitable under this cause are eligible to reapply after this disqualifying factor no longer exists.

G. Criminal background The applicant must not have ever been convicted at any time of a felony offense. For the purpose of this requirement, a person is convicted of a felony when an adjudication of guilt for a felony offense is entered against the person by a court of competent jurisdiction whether or not:

1. The sentence is subsequently probated, and the person is discharged from probation;
2. The accusation, complaint, information, or indictment against the person is dismissed and the person is released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense, or;
3. The person is pardoned for the offense, unless the pardon is expressly granted for subsequent proof of innocence.
4. Applicants must not be currently charged with or under indictment for any felony offense.
5. Applicants must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor offense of "Class A" or "Class B" within the last ten (10) years preceding the date of the civil service written examination.
6. Applicants must not have been charged with any misdemeanor offense greater than a "

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