Subscribe to Our Newsletter
State of California Department of Justice
Rob Bonta
Attorney General
Attorney General
Equivalent to completion of four years of college (120 semester units or 180 quarter units) from an accredited college or university. Registration as a senior student in a recognized institution will allow for admittance into the examination, but they must produce evidence of successful completion before they may be considered eligible for appointment. Military experience from any of the United States Armed Forces or National Guard may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis
Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031(a), in order to be a peace officer, a person must be either a U.S. citizen or be a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for U.S. citizenship, except for members of the California Highway Patrol who must be U.S. citizens. Permanent resident aliens who have not applied for citizenship will be permitted to take an examination, but cannot be appointed to a peace officer class until they have applied for citizenship. Denial of an application for citizenship shall result in termination of employment. In addition, failure to attain citizenship within three years after filing an employment application because the applicant has not cooperated in processing the application for citizenship shall result in termination of employment.
Under provisions of Penal Code Section 832, successful completion of a training course in laws of arrest, search and seizure, and in firearms and chemical agents is a requirement for permanent status in this classification.
Persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence as defined in the amended Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 are disqualified from appointment to these classes.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029, persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers except as provided under Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 1179(b), or Division 2.5, Chapter 1, Article 4, Section 1772(b). Except as provided for by these statutes, persons convicted of a felony are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in these classes.
Anyone who is restricted for employment-related purposes from accessing, possessing, carrying, receiving, or having under his/her control a firearm or ammunition under all applicable State or Federal Laws is ineligible for appointment to any position in this classification.