Last Updated: January 20, 2026
Goal: Become a Texas-commissioned (armed) security officer in College Station, Texas, by following the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Private Security licensing process.
Texas licensing is centralized at DPS (not your city government), and DPS regulates private security under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702 (the “Private Security Act”).
If you’re also exploring training options or want help choosing the right path, start here:
Key takeaways
- Texas private security licensing is overseen by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) under the Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702.
- Commissioned (armed) applicants should expect to submit Level II and Level III training certificates plus a DPS-required psychological/emotional health declaration.
- Applications are handled online through TOPS (Texas Online Private Security), which supports online submission and status updates.
Requirements At a Glance (Texas)
To apply as commissioned (armed) in Texas, plan around these core documentation checkpoints:
- Level II (non-commissioned) training certificate.
- Level III (commissioned/armed) training certificate.
- Declaration of psychological/emotional health (DPS form requirement referenced for commissioned applicants).
- Fingerprint-based background check (DPS emphasizes fingerprint-based checks as part of regulating the profession).
- TOPS account + online application submission.
Note: Texas rules and terminology are specific (DPS, TOPS, Chapter 1702). Other states may use different agencies, different course levels, and different licensing flows—so this guide stays strictly Texas-aligned for College Station.
Texas Commissioned (Armed) Checklist
Step 1
What you submit: Online application info
Where: TOPS (Texas Online Private Security)
Notes: TOPS is DPS’s online application system for private security.
Step 2
What you submit: Fingerprints/background check
Where: DPS process (via fingerprint appointment)
Notes: DPS regulates the profession and conducts fingerprint-based background checks.
Step 3
What you submit: Level II certificate
Where: Uploaded/submitted with application
Notes: DPS FAQ notes commissioned applicants must submit Level II + Level III training certificates.
Step 4
What you submit: Level III certificate
Where: Uploaded/submitted with application
Notes: Same DPS documentation requirement for commissioned applicants.
Step 5
What you submit: Psychological/emotional health declaration
Where: Uploaded/submitted with application
Notes: DPS references a declaration requirement for commissioned applicants; DPS also lists “Declaration of Emotional Health (MMPI…)”.
HowTo: Texas DPS Steps (College Station)
Step 1: Confirm you’re pursuing “commissioned (armed)” in Texas
Action: Choose the Texas credential track for an armed role: commissioned security officer (often referred to as Level III). (Estimated time: 10–20 minutes)
Proof/Outcome: A clear target license type for your TOPS application.
Step 2: Create/access your TOPS profile
Action: Set up or access your TOPS profile so you can submit, track, and pay for applications online. (Estimated time: 15–30 minutes)
Proof/Outcome: TOPS login/profile access.
Step 3: Complete fingerprint-based background check requirements
Action: Follow the DPS private security process for fingerprint-based screening. (Estimated time: appointment + processing varies)
Proof/Outcome: Fingerprints submitted for DPS review (DPS highlights fingerprint-based background checks as part of regulation).
Step 4: Complete Level II (non-commissioned) training and keep the certificate
Action: Finish Level II training through a licensed training provider and save the certificate. (Estimated time: varies by provider)
Proof/Outcome: Level II training certificate ready to submit.
Step 5: Complete Level III (commissioned/armed) training and keep the certificate
Action: Finish Level III training through a licensed training provider and save the certificate. (Estimated time: varies by provider)
Proof/Outcome: Level III training certificate ready to submit.
CTA (place after Step 5): Want help choosing a training plan or mapping your timeline? Talk to a training advisor (internal link): /security-school/
Step 6: Complete the psychological/emotional health documentation
Action: Prepare the required declaration associated with psychological/emotional health for commissioned applicants. (Estimated time: varies)
Proof/Outcome: Completed “Declaration of Emotional Health (MMPI for Commission…)” documentation as referenced in DPS materials.
Extra clarity: DPS also publishes guidance related to commissioned guards and MMPI.
Step 7: Submit your commissioned application (with documents) in TOPS
Action: Apply through TOPS and upload/attach required documentation. (Estimated time: 30–60 minutes)
Proof/Outcome: Submitted application in TOPS with status tracking (TOPS supports faster processing and status updates).
Step 8: Monitor TOPS status and respond quickly to any document requests
Action: Check TOPS for updates and emails requesting corrections or missing items. (Estimated time: 5–10 minutes/day while pending)
Proof/Outcome: A “complete” application file that can move through DPS review.
Step 9: Start applying to local College Station / Brazos County roles
Action: Apply to roles in Brazos County (College Station–area) that commonly hire armed officers: hospitals/healthcare security, event security, construction site security, retail loss prevention, and gated community patrol. (Estimated time: ongoing)
Proof/Outcome: Active interviews and job offers aligned to your commissioned status.
College Station Pathway (Local Specifics)
Training Options (College Station–Area)
- TEEX (Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service), HQ physical address: 200 Technology Way, College Station, TX 77845-3424.
- TEEX also lists a College Station location at 1595 Nuclear Science Rd, College Station, TX 77845 (shown as a TEEX location contact point).
- TEEX publishes private security training listings, including “Private Security Level III.”
Tip: If a course is “online + in-person qualification,” confirm where the range qualification happens before paying, and keep every completion certificate for your TOPS upload step.
Fingerprinting (Brazos County Practical Guidance)
DPS emphasizes fingerprint-based background checks for private security applicants, so plan to schedule your fingerprint appointment early in your timeline.
Cost + Timeline (Realistic Expectations)
Costs vary widely by training provider and what they include (classroom, range qualification, exam attempts, etc.), so treat quotes as “all-in” only after confirming what certificates you will receive for submission.
Commissioned vs Unarmed (Texas)
In Texas, “commissioned” generally means the armed track regulated through DPS Private Security, while unarmed roles follow different registration/training requirements under the same DPS framework.
Regardless of role type, DPS regulates the profession under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702 and related administrative rules, so staying aligned with DPS language helps avoid application issues.
Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
- Applying in TOPS without having the correct training certificates ready to submit (commissioned applicants are explicitly told to submit Level II + Level III certificates).
- Forgetting the psychological/emotional health declaration requirement for commissioned applicants.
- Treating the process as “local-only”—in Texas, DPS is the statewide authority regulating private security licensing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need Level II before Level III in Texas?
DPS documentation for commissioned applicants states that Level II and Level III training certificates must be submitted with the application, so plan to complete and retain both certificates.
How long does it take to get commissioned in Texas?
Processing time can vary, but TOPS is specifically designed to support online submission and application status updates (which helps you track progress).
What disqualifies you on a Texas DPS background check?
DPS states it regulates private security by conducting fingerprint-based background checks and taking disciplinary action where appropriate.
For the underlying legal framework, Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702 contains sections on prohibited practices/grounds for denial and enforcement structure (review that chapter directly for specifics).
Do you need psychological testing for armed security in Texas?
DPS references a required “Declaration of Psychological…” for commissioned applicants in its individual license FAQ and also lists a “Declaration of Emotional Health (MMPI for Commission…)” form in its forms library.
DPS also maintains a commissioned guard/MMPI guidance page, which indicates the MMPI topic is part of the commissioned documentation conversation.
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