Alabama § 36-21-46 - Standards for Applicants and Appointees for Employment as Law Enforcement Officers.
Full text of Alabama Code of Alabama § 36-21-46 — Standards for Applicants and Appointees for Employment as Law Enforcement Officers., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 36-21-46. Standards for Applicants and Appointees for Employment as Law Enforcement Officers.
(a) The standards provided in this subsection shall apply to applicants and appointees as law enforcement officers. No city, town, county, sheriff, constable, or other employer shall employ any applicant unless the person submits to the appointing authority an application for employment verified by affidavit of the applicant and showing compliance with the following qualifications:
(1) AGE. The applicant shall be not less than 19 years of age at the time of appointment.
(2) EDUCATION. The applicant shall be a graduate of a high school accredited with or approved by the State Department of Education or shall be the holder of a certificate of high school equivalency issued by general educational development.
(3) TRAINING. Prior to certification, the applicant shall complete the required course of training established by the commission. An applicant may be provisionally appointed for a period of six months. No individual may be employed for an additional period until that individual is certified by the commission.
(4) PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS. The applicant shall be certified by a licensed physician designated as satisfactory by the appointing authority as in good health and physically fit for the performance of the duties of a law enforcement officer.
(5) CHARACTER. The applicant shall be a person of good moral character and reputation. In making this determination, the commission shall consider convictions for misdemeanors and other factors set forth in its duly adopted and promulgated rules. No person who has been convicted of a felony shall be certified, employed, appointed, or approved by the commission as a law enforcement officer.
(b) The foregoing requirements shall not apply to any person who is presently employed as a law enforcement officer in the state and who continues to be so employed when he or she makes application for or is employed as a law enforcement officer in a different capacity or for a different employer.
Source: official Alabama text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama § 36-21-46
What does Code of Alabama § 36-21-46 cover?
Section 36-21-46 ("Standards for Applicants and Appointees for Employment as Law Enforcement Officers.") is part of the Code of Alabama, the codified statutory law of Alabama. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Alabama § 36-21-46?
A common citation format is "Code of Alabama § 36-21-46" (Alabama). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Alabama law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Alabama official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Alabama attorney.
How does Alabama § 36-21-46 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Alabama can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.