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Law Enforcement Cadet Applicant Process

NOTE: It is the responsibility of current applicants to check their status in CAPPS Recruit and to respond timely to e-mail communications from the Department during this selection process. All applicants are encouraged to add Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to their e-mail contacts list to avoid communications going to junk and/or spam folders.

STEP 1: Application (when the process reopens)

  • Submit your application online.
  • Your application will be reviewed and you will be notified by email to continue on to step 2 if you meet the minimum requirements.

STEP 2: Physical Readiness Test (Pass/Fail only)

  • Complete Law Enforcement Applicant Medical Release form signed by your physician.
  • Complete Law Enforcement Cadet Applicant Informed Consent for Physical Readiness Test.
  • Candidates must bring driver license and completed forms.
  • Candidates must have required documents prior to being allowed to participate in the Physical Readiness Testing.
  • Candidates must successfully complete ALL components of the physical readiness test on the assigned day of testing to advance to interviews.
  • Travel and hotel accommodations will be your responsibility and at your expense.

STEP 3: Interview (Based on Minimal Accumulative Cut Off Score | Pass/Fail only)

  • Only candidates who passed the Physical Readiness Test will advance to this step.
  • Candidates will be contacted by the Regional Office or designee to schedule an interview.
  • The Interview will be conducted online.

STEP 4: Background Investigation (Pass/Fail only)

  • Only the top candidates will advance to this step.
  • Candidates are required to furnish the background investigator with official college transcripts, DD214 (page 4) if applicable, copies only of a valid driver license, and verification of US citizenship (Passport or Birth Certificate).

STEP 5: Major Review

  • Only candidates who successfully pass the background investigation will advance to this step.

STEP 6: Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel Review

  • Only the top candidates will advance to this step.

STEP 7: Conditional Job Offer

  • Candidates considered for employment will receive conditional job offers.
  • Candidates are required to pass a medical and psychological evaluation as a condition of employment.
  • Evaluations will be conducted by a TPWD designated physician and psychologist. This is pass/fail only. Failure will result in termination from the position.
  • Travel and hotel accommodations will be your responsibility and at your expense.

STEP 8: Letter of Invitation to the Game Warden Training Academy

  • Candidates that pass a medical and psychological evaluation will advance to this step based on available vacancies.
  • TPWD reserves the right to approve or disapprove recommended appointments to cadet positions.

STEP 9: Academy Training

  • Candidates will be given the opportunity to successfully complete the Game Warden Training Academy.
  • NOTE: Cadets attending the Game Warden Training Academy will be required to live at the Game Warden Training Center near Hamilton, Texas, for the duration of the training period. All rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the Academy must be followed while in residence. An emolument will be deducted from the cadet’s salary for food services while at the Game Warden Training Center.

STEP 10: Commissioning Cadets

  • Candidate commissioning will be at the completion of the Game Warden Training Academy.
  • TPWD reserves the right to approve or disapprove recommended appointments to cadet positions at any time.