TDCJ Core Competencies Exam Questions
and Answers |Fall 2026/2027 Update | 100%
Correct Latest (Graded A+)
QUESTION 1
Which of the following best describes the primary mission of the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice (TDCJ)?
A. Enforcing federal laws in Texas
B. Managing offenders under state jurisdiction by providing public safety, rehabilitative
opportunities, and reintegration programs
C. Overseeing local police departments
D. Administering municipal jail operations
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: TDCJ’s mission emphasizes public safety through the management of offenders,
rehabilitation, and reentry programs, not law enforcement or municipal management.
QUESTION 2
Ethical conduct by TDCJ employees should primarily be guided by:
A. Personal beliefs
B. The TDCJ Employee General Rules of Conduct and agency policies
C. Supervisor discretion alone
D. Other employees’ behavior
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: TDCJ employees must adhere to codified ethical standards set forth in official policy,
ensuring accountability and professionalism.
QUESTION 3
Which competency focuses on maintaining professional relationships with coworkers, offenders,
and the public?
A. Teamwork and Cooperation
B. Technical Expertise
,C. Decision-Making
D. Diversity Awareness
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: The Teamwork and Cooperation competency stresses effective and respectful
communication and collaboration.
QUESTION 4
The principle of “Integrity” in the TDCJ Core Competencies means:
A. Doing what is right even when no one is watching
B. Reporting to work on time
C. Always following orders without question
D. Being friendly to all coworkers
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Integrity requires ethical consistency and honesty regardless of supervision or
personal convenience.
QUESTION 5
In TDCJ safety protocols, the first step when observing a potential hazard is to:
A. Ignore it unless injury occurs
B. Report it to a supervisor immediately
C. Wait for another shift to address it
D. Fill out paperwork before reporting
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Prompt reporting prevents harm by allowing safety measures to be enacted
immediately.
QUESTION 6
What is the purpose of the TDCJ Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
A. To provide employees with counseling and support for personal or work difficulties
B. To discipline employees for misconduct
C. To recruit new staff
D. To handle inmate grievances
, CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: EAP promotes staff wellness, providing confidential resources to support mental
health and productivity.
QUESTION 7
Maintaining confidentiality about offender records is required by:
A. State law and TDCJ policy
B. Supervisor discretion
C. Employee preference
D. Union regulations
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Both law and internal policy demand the safeguarding of sensitive information to
protect individual rights.
QUESTION 8
Which TDCJ core competency focuses on correctly applying laws, policies, and procedures?
A. Adaptability
B. Technical Expertise
C. Reliability
D. Initiative
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Technical Expertise includes knowledge of job duties, legal standards, and agency
regulations.
QUESTION 9
An officer observes a fellow staff member showing favoritism toward an offender. The most
appropriate action is to:
A. Ignore it to avoid conflict
B. Discuss the situation privately with the staff member
C. Report the behavior through the appropriate chain of command
D. Confront the offender directly
and Answers |Fall 2026/2027 Update | 100%
Correct Latest (Graded A+)
QUESTION 1
Which of the following best describes the primary mission of the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice (TDCJ)?
A. Enforcing federal laws in Texas
B. Managing offenders under state jurisdiction by providing public safety, rehabilitative
opportunities, and reintegration programs
C. Overseeing local police departments
D. Administering municipal jail operations
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: TDCJ’s mission emphasizes public safety through the management of offenders,
rehabilitation, and reentry programs, not law enforcement or municipal management.
QUESTION 2
Ethical conduct by TDCJ employees should primarily be guided by:
A. Personal beliefs
B. The TDCJ Employee General Rules of Conduct and agency policies
C. Supervisor discretion alone
D. Other employees’ behavior
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: TDCJ employees must adhere to codified ethical standards set forth in official policy,
ensuring accountability and professionalism.
QUESTION 3
Which competency focuses on maintaining professional relationships with coworkers, offenders,
and the public?
A. Teamwork and Cooperation
B. Technical Expertise
,C. Decision-Making
D. Diversity Awareness
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: The Teamwork and Cooperation competency stresses effective and respectful
communication and collaboration.
QUESTION 4
The principle of “Integrity” in the TDCJ Core Competencies means:
A. Doing what is right even when no one is watching
B. Reporting to work on time
C. Always following orders without question
D. Being friendly to all coworkers
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Integrity requires ethical consistency and honesty regardless of supervision or
personal convenience.
QUESTION 5
In TDCJ safety protocols, the first step when observing a potential hazard is to:
A. Ignore it unless injury occurs
B. Report it to a supervisor immediately
C. Wait for another shift to address it
D. Fill out paperwork before reporting
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Prompt reporting prevents harm by allowing safety measures to be enacted
immediately.
QUESTION 6
What is the purpose of the TDCJ Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
A. To provide employees with counseling and support for personal or work difficulties
B. To discipline employees for misconduct
C. To recruit new staff
D. To handle inmate grievances
, CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: EAP promotes staff wellness, providing confidential resources to support mental
health and productivity.
QUESTION 7
Maintaining confidentiality about offender records is required by:
A. State law and TDCJ policy
B. Supervisor discretion
C. Employee preference
D. Union regulations
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Both law and internal policy demand the safeguarding of sensitive information to
protect individual rights.
QUESTION 8
Which TDCJ core competency focuses on correctly applying laws, policies, and procedures?
A. Adaptability
B. Technical Expertise
C. Reliability
D. Initiative
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Technical Expertise includes knowledge of job duties, legal standards, and agency
regulations.
QUESTION 9
An officer observes a fellow staff member showing favoritism toward an offender. The most
appropriate action is to:
A. Ignore it to avoid conflict
B. Discuss the situation privately with the staff member
C. Report the behavior through the appropriate chain of command
D. Confront the offender directly
