TCOLE Peace Officer Exam Passing Score 2026: 70% and 3 Attempts

The TCOLE Basic Peace Officer licensing exam has 250 questions, a 180-minute limit and a passing score of 70 percent. Texas rules give an eligible examinee three attempts, and all three must happen within 180 days of finishing the basic licensing course.

What 70 percent means on 250 questions

TCOLE tells proctors to remind every examinee that the passing score is 70%. Rule 219.7 sets the minimum passing percentage at 70 on each exam unless another rule says otherwise. On 250 questions, 70 percent works out to 175 correct answers if every question counts. The same rule lets the Commission invalidate any question, so TCOLE speaks in percentages and does not promise a fixed number of correct answers. Plan around the percentage.

Three attempts, 180 days, one clock

Rule 219.1 sets the limits:

• You get three attempts to pass.
• All attempts must be finished within 180 days of the date you completed the licensing course. Unused attempts become invalid on day 181, or as soon as you pass.
• If an attempt is invalidated for any other reason, it still counts as one of your three.
• A dismissal for cheating ends all remaining attempts.

If you fail all three attempts, miss the 180-day window, or are dismissed for cheating, you must repeat the basic licensing course for the license you want. You cannot use an academic alternative program to repeat it.

Between attempts there is no required waiting time. TCOLE does strongly recommend that you study before another try, and the proctor manual tells examinees who fail to go back to their training provider to find the weak areas. Proctors and exam site staff may not coach you on how to improve.

Pace and exam-day rules

180 minutes for 250 questions is about 43 seconds per question. The countdown timer does not stop once the exam starts. You can mark questions for review and come back to them, and before you begin you may take an optional 15-question demonstration exam to see how the screen works.

Examinees with approved accommodations may get 30 extra minutes. The academy provider must request the accommodation, and TCOLE must approve it before your first attempt.

Check which TCOLE exam you are taking

The proctor manual lists six licensing exam types, each with its own length. This article is about the Peace Officer exam in the first row.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a waiting period after failing the TCOLE exam?

No. TCOLE sets no required waiting time. You still have to stay inside your three attempts and the 180-day window.

When do I get my result?

Proctors, administrators or coordinators give you your results when you finish. Some exam sites print them, and others have a kiosk where you log in to MyTCOLE 3.0.

What happens if I fail all three attempts?

You must repeat the basic licensing course for the license you are seeking before you can try again.

Does the license last forever once I pass?

Not automatically. Rule 219.1 says that if you are not appointed within 2 years of passing the licensing exam, the license is placed in inactive status.

Official sources

• TCOLE Proctor Manual (revised February 2025), including Appendix C: licensing exam types
• TCOLE Statutes and Rules Handbook (November 1, 2025): Chapter 219, rules 219.1 and 219.7

Checked against the sources above on November 2, 2026. Exam bodies change fees and rules: confirm on the official page before you register.