TEXAS PEACE OFFICER LICENSING EXAM – PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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CORE DOMAINS
Texas Penal Code
Code of Criminal Procedure
Traffic Laws and Transportation Code
Arrest, Search, and Seizure
Constitutional Law and Civil Rights
Crisis Intervention and De-escalation
Professional Ethics and Social Responsibility
Report Writing and Field Note Taking
Juvenile Justice Procedures
Victims of Crime and Family Violence
INTRODUCTION
The Texas Peace Officer Licensing Exam is a comprehensive assessment designed to
ensure that candidates possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding
necessary to serve as licensed law enforcement professionals within the state. This
examination evaluates a candidate’s mastery of the Texas Penal Code, procedural law,
and tactical communications. The assessment utilizes a blend of foundational multiple-
choice questions and complex scenario-based inquiries to simulate real-world field
applications. Emphasis is placed on critical decision-making, legal compliance, and the
,ability to apply statutory regulations to dynamic public safety environments, ensuring all
officers maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and legal integrity.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Under the Texas Penal Code, a person commits the offense of "Public
Intoxication" if they appear in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that:
A. They are a danger to themselves or others.
B. They have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher.
C. They are using profane language or acting disorderly.
D. They are unable to provide a valid form of identification.
🟢 A. They are a danger to themselves or others.
🔴 RATIONALE: According to Texas Penal Code Section 49.02, the specific legal
threshold for Public Intoxication is that the individual must be a danger to themselves
or others due to their level of impairment.
2. Which of the following is the highest appellate court in the State of Texas for
criminal cases?
A. The Texas Supreme Court
B. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
C. The District Court of Appeals
D. The County Court at Law
🟢 B. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
🔴 RATIONALE: Texas has a bifurcated appellate system; the Texas Supreme Court
handles civil matters, while the Court of Criminal Appeals is the court of last resort for
,all criminal litigation.
3. An officer observes a vehicle traveling 45 MPH in a posted 35 MPH zone. The
officer initiates a traffic stop. This level of evidence is known as:
A. Mere Suspicion
B. Reasonable Suspicion
C. Probable Cause
D. Preponderance of Evidence
🟢 C. Probable Cause
🔴 RATIONALE: Observing a specific traffic violation provides the officer with Probable
Cause to believe an offense has been committed, justifying the temporary detention of
the vehicle and driver.
4. A peace officer may arrest a suspect without a warrant for an offense committed
in their presence if the offense is:
A. Any offense, including Class C misdemeanors.
B. Only felonies or breaches of the peace.
C. Only offenses involving physical injury.
D. Only offenses occurring within the officer's primary jurisdiction.
🟢 A. Any offense, including Class C misdemeanors.
🔴 RATIONALE: Per the Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 14.01, a peace officer may
arrest an offender without a warrant for any offense committed in their presence or
within their view.
, 5. In a scenario where an officer uses force to prevent the escape of a suspect from
custody, the officer must ensure the force used is:
A. The maximum force available to ensure compliance.
B. Only force specifically authorized by a supervisor.
C. Reasonable and necessary to prevent the escape.
D. Limited strictly to non-lethal chemical agents.
🟢 C. Reasonable and necessary to prevent the escape.
🔴 RATIONALE: Texas law and constitutional standards require that force used by an
officer be "objectively reasonable" under the totality of the circumstances to achieve a
lawful objective.
6. Under the Texas Family Code, a "Child" is defined as a person who is:
A. 10 years of age or older and under 17 years of age.
B. Under 18 years of age and not emancipated.
C. Between the ages of 12 and 21.
D. Under 16 years of age only.
🟢 A. 10 years of age or older and under 17 years of age.
🔴 RATIONALE: For the purposes of delinquent conduct under Title 3 of the Family
Code, a child is generally defined as a person 10 to 16 years of age.
7. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects individuals against
unreasonable searches and seizures?
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Texas Penal Code
Code of Criminal Procedure
Traffic Laws and Transportation Code
Arrest, Search, and Seizure
Constitutional Law and Civil Rights
Crisis Intervention and De-escalation
Professional Ethics and Social Responsibility
Report Writing and Field Note Taking
Juvenile Justice Procedures
Victims of Crime and Family Violence
INTRODUCTION
The Texas Peace Officer Licensing Exam is a comprehensive assessment designed to
ensure that candidates possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding
necessary to serve as licensed law enforcement professionals within the state. This
examination evaluates a candidate’s mastery of the Texas Penal Code, procedural law,
and tactical communications. The assessment utilizes a blend of foundational multiple-
choice questions and complex scenario-based inquiries to simulate real-world field
applications. Emphasis is placed on critical decision-making, legal compliance, and the
,ability to apply statutory regulations to dynamic public safety environments, ensuring all
officers maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and legal integrity.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Under the Texas Penal Code, a person commits the offense of "Public
Intoxication" if they appear in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that:
A. They are a danger to themselves or others.
B. They have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher.
C. They are using profane language or acting disorderly.
D. They are unable to provide a valid form of identification.
🟢 A. They are a danger to themselves or others.
🔴 RATIONALE: According to Texas Penal Code Section 49.02, the specific legal
threshold for Public Intoxication is that the individual must be a danger to themselves
or others due to their level of impairment.
2. Which of the following is the highest appellate court in the State of Texas for
criminal cases?
A. The Texas Supreme Court
B. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
C. The District Court of Appeals
D. The County Court at Law
🟢 B. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
🔴 RATIONALE: Texas has a bifurcated appellate system; the Texas Supreme Court
handles civil matters, while the Court of Criminal Appeals is the court of last resort for
,all criminal litigation.
3. An officer observes a vehicle traveling 45 MPH in a posted 35 MPH zone. The
officer initiates a traffic stop. This level of evidence is known as:
A. Mere Suspicion
B. Reasonable Suspicion
C. Probable Cause
D. Preponderance of Evidence
🟢 C. Probable Cause
🔴 RATIONALE: Observing a specific traffic violation provides the officer with Probable
Cause to believe an offense has been committed, justifying the temporary detention of
the vehicle and driver.
4. A peace officer may arrest a suspect without a warrant for an offense committed
in their presence if the offense is:
A. Any offense, including Class C misdemeanors.
B. Only felonies or breaches of the peace.
C. Only offenses involving physical injury.
D. Only offenses occurring within the officer's primary jurisdiction.
🟢 A. Any offense, including Class C misdemeanors.
🔴 RATIONALE: Per the Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 14.01, a peace officer may
arrest an offender without a warrant for any offense committed in their presence or
within their view.
, 5. In a scenario where an officer uses force to prevent the escape of a suspect from
custody, the officer must ensure the force used is:
A. The maximum force available to ensure compliance.
B. Only force specifically authorized by a supervisor.
C. Reasonable and necessary to prevent the escape.
D. Limited strictly to non-lethal chemical agents.
🟢 C. Reasonable and necessary to prevent the escape.
🔴 RATIONALE: Texas law and constitutional standards require that force used by an
officer be "objectively reasonable" under the totality of the circumstances to achieve a
lawful objective.
6. Under the Texas Family Code, a "Child" is defined as a person who is:
A. 10 years of age or older and under 17 years of age.
B. Under 18 years of age and not emancipated.
C. Between the ages of 12 and 21.
D. Under 16 years of age only.
🟢 A. 10 years of age or older and under 17 years of age.
🔴 RATIONALE: For the purposes of delinquent conduct under Title 3 of the Family
Code, a child is generally defined as a person 10 to 16 years of age.
7. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects individuals against
unreasonable searches and seizures?
