In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements prescribed by Section 143.023, to be certified as eligible for a beginning position with a police department, a person must be at least 21 years of age at the end of the probationary period and have:

1. (1) served in the United States armed forces and received an honorable discharge;
2. (2) earned at least 60 hours' credit in any area of study at an accredited college or university, of which not more than 12 hours' credit may be earned for training at the police officer training academy operated or sponsored by the municipality; or

3. (3) been employed full-time for at least five years as a peace officer licensed by:

   1. (A) the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement; or
   2. (B) an acceptable licensing entity in another state that has law enforcement officer licensing requirements substantially equivalent to those of Chapter 1701, Occupations Code.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 84 (S.B. 342), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 611 (H.B. 780), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 93 (S.B. 686), Sec. 2.52, eff. May 18, 2013.