Age Requirement

• Shall be 21 years old or older to be eligible for provisional certification; and
• May attend an academy while younger than 21 years old but may not perform law enforcement duties until the applicant is 21 years old and provisionally certified. (COMAR 12.04.01.04A)

Citizenship Requirement

• Be a United States citizen
• or a permanent legal resident of the United States who:
• Is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces; and
• Has submitted an application for United States citizenship that is pending approval. (COMAR 12.04.01.04B)

Education Requirement

• An applicant for the position of police officer shall possess a:
• High school diploma issued by a high school or recognized by the State Board of Education; or
• General Education Development (GED) certificate or diploma:
• Issued by Maryland or another state, or
• Recognized by the State Board of Education.
• The law enforcement agency may accept a college degree in place of the requirements under §C(1) of this regulation. (COMAR 12.04.01.04C)

Physical and Mental Health Requirement

• Before an applicant may be selected for a position as a police officer, the applicant shall be examined by and receive a recommendation from a licensed, trained, and qualified medical doctor indicating that the applicant is physically able to:
• Perform the duties of a police officer as determined by the employing law enforcement agency; and
• Participate in the entrance-level training program.
• Applicants should be in excellent physical condition and
• have 20/25 eyesight and possess binocular far and near visual acuity, with or without correction
• Before an applicant may be selected for a position as a police officer, a mental health professional shall conduct a psychological evaluation of the applicant and offer a positive recommendation indicating that the applicant is:
• Emotionally and mentally fit; and
• Able to perform the duties of a police officer as these duties are determined by the law enforcement agency. (COMAR 12.04.01.04F)

Driver's License and Driving Record Requirement

• The applicant shall possess a valid driver's license.
• The agency head hiring the applicant shall:
• Perform a check of the applicant's driving record and maintain a copy of the results; and
• Record on the AFC the applicant's driver's license number, the state of issue, and an indication that the driving record has been reviewed. (COMAR 12.04.01.04I)

Background Requirement

• An agency head or authorized agency under §A(7) of this regulation shall perform a comprehensive background investigation to determine if an applicant:
• Is of good moral character and reputation;
• Is emotionally stable; and
• Displays the behavior necessary to perform the duties of a police officer. (COMAR 12.04.01.05A)

Record of Criminal Conviction

• If the results of the criminal history records check reveal that an applicant has been convicted or otherwise found guilty of a felony, or a misdemeanor for which a sentence of imprisonment for 1 year or more could have been imposed, the Commission shall include available information concerning the conviction with Commission records related to the applicant’s AFC.
• Applicants should not be under a court order related to domestic violence. (COMAR 12.04.01.05B)

Drug Use

• An individual is ineligible for initial certification as a police officer in Maryland if the individual has:
• Been convicted or otherwise found guilty of selling, manufacturing, or distributing a controlled dangerous substance, narcotic drug, or marijuana;
• Ever illegally sold, produced, cultivated, distributed, or transported a controlled dangerous substance, narcotic drug, or marijuana;
• Illegally used a controlled dangerous substa​nce or narcotic drug for any purpose within the 36 months before application for certification; (NOT MARIJUANA)
• Illegally engaged in the use of marijuana for any purpose within the 12 months preceding the date of application for certification;
• Ever illegally used a controlled dangerous substance, or narcotic drug for other than experimentation as specified under §D of this regulation; or
• Ever illegally used a controlled dangerous substance, narcotic drug, or marijuana while employed to enforce federal, State, or local law by any government entity. (COMAR 12.04.01.16C)