Are you ready for a challenging career?
Be a Correctional Officer

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has over 100 prison units throughout the State and employs approximately 20,000 Correctional Officers. If you want a good paying job with benefits, stability, promotion opportunities and the chance to perform challenging and important work, a Correctional Officer position may be for you. With so many units around the State, you will have a good chance of working in the area of your choice. View TDCJ Recruitment Videos.

Correctional Officer Eligibility Criteria

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are ready for a challenge, willing to learn, and prepared to work as a team member in a structured environment, we encourage you to consider employment as a TDCJ Correctional Officer.

• Be a citizen of the U.S. or an alien authorized to work in the U.S.;


• Be at least 18 years old;


• Have graduated from a TDCJ approved accredited public or private senior high school, or a TDCJ approved home school, or has obtained a state-issued General Educational Development (GED) certificate;

Acceptable documentation verifying graduation from a senior high school is outlined below:

• From a TDCJ approved accredited public senior high school: a high school diploma or official transcript.
• From a TDCJ approved accredited private senior high school: a high school diploma or an official transcript and signed private school affidavit, when required.
• From a TDCJ approved home school: an official transcript and signed home school affidavit.

• Not be on active duty in the military, unless on terminal leave (applicants can apply within six months of eligibility);


• Not have been discharged from the armed forces under dishonorable conditions; discharges such as Bad Conduct or General-Other Than Honorable will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.


• Male applicants who are ages 18 through 25, residing in the U.S., and not currently employed with the TDCJ shall present proof of the applicant’s registration with the selective service system as required by federal law or present proof of the applicant’s exemption from registration with the selective service system;


• Not be on community supervision (probation), including deferred adjudication for any criminal offense; *


• Not have pending charges for any criminal offense or have any outstanding warrant; *


• Not have had a Class A misdemeanor conviction within the last 10 years; *


• Not have had a Class B misdemeanor conviction within the last three years; *


• Not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law; *


• Never have been convicted of a felony; *


• Never have been convicted of an offense involving domestic or family violence; *


• Receive a passing composite evaluation score based on information included in the application, criminal background check, employer references, and job-related information obtained in the interview;


• Be able to perform the essential functions of a CO, with or without reasonable accommodation;


• Pass the TDCJ’s pre-employment or pre-assignment drug test consistent with PD-71, “Hiring and Selection Standards,” and


• Pass a physical agility test.

*See PD-75, “Applicants with Pending Criminal Charges or Prior Criminal Convictions” for additional information.

Additional Information

A veteran who has completed two years active military service and been discharged under honorable conditions, or an applicant who has earned an associate's - degree awarded by an institution of higher education accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or by the United States Department of Education (USDE) will start as a Correctional Officer III, pay level 3, $4,704.60 per month. A veteran who has completed 4, or more, years of active military service and been discharged under honorable conditions, or an applicant who has earned a bachelor’s degree, or higher, awarded by an institution of higher education accredited by CHEA or by the USDE will start as a Senior Correctional Officer, $5256.02 per month. Regular promotions within the career path continue, progressing to $5,256.02 at 73 months of TDCJ service.

A CO applicant with prior government correctional custody or law enforcement experience preceding date of hire shall be hired at a pay level corresponding with the months of service if dates of employment are verified by former employer and the applicant left employer in good standing.

For all TDCJ purposes, conviction of a criminal offense includes paid fine, time served, placed on probation (includes deferred adjudication), and court ordered restitution.

Correctional Officer Benefits

Links of Interest

Apply Today | Eligibility Criteria | Part-time Positions | Essential Functions | CO Salary | Recruiting Events |
Unit Information (pdf) | Unit Locations | View Job Description

Page updated: 07/22/2026