Reference Database
Police chaplain requirements by state.
What each state actually decides about law enforcement chaplains, for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Every entry is sourced, and anything we could not confirm is marked as not yet verified.
- 51jurisdictions covered
- 2with a state chaplain credential
- 19with statewide chaplain training
- 51clergy privilege citations verified
Last verified September 24, 2026.
What the state decides, and what the agency decides
If you are asking how to become a police chaplain in your state, the honest answer is that the state usually is not the one deciding. Most law enforcement chaplains are civilian volunteers, not sworn officers, and state officer-standards commissions (POST boards) generally regulate officers, not chaplains. The sheriff's office or police department you would serve sets the real requirements.
Those agency requirements look much the same from state to state: endorsement from a recognized faith community, several years of ministry experience, a recognized basic chaplaincy course plus agency onboarding, a background investigation, and interviews or ride-alongs that test temperament. What each one is really testing is covered in Police Chaplain Requirements.
The state does decide a few things that follow a chaplain into every agency. This table tracks three of them:
- Who sets the standard. Whether any statute or state agency licenses or credentials law enforcement chaplains. In nearly every state, none does, and each agency sets its own requirements.
- Clergy privilege. The citation for the state's clergy-penitent privilege, the evidence rule that protects some confidential communications with clergy. Whether it reaches a particular chaplain conversation depends on the statute's wording and the facts.
- Statewide training. Law enforcement chaplain training offered or listed through a state academy, state police, or a state-level chaplain association. Most chaplain training is national or agency-run instead.
State-by-state reference
| State | Who sets the standard | Clergy privilege | Statewide chaplain training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama AL | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: apostc.alabama.gov , apostc.alabama.gov , apostc.alabama.gov | Ala. Code § 12-21-166; Ala. R. Evid. 505 Source: judicial.alabama.gov , law.justia.com | Not yet verified |
| Alaska AK | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: dps.alaska.gov , akleg.gov | Alaska R. Evid. 506 Source: courts.alaska.gov | None found Checked: dps.alaska.gov |
| Arizona AZ | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: azleg.gov , azleg.gov , azleg.gov | A.R.S. § 12-2233; A.R.S. § 13-4062(3) Source: azleg.gov , azleg.gov | None found Checked: azleg.gov |
| Arkansas AR | State program: the Arkansas Department of Public Safety (with ADLEST and the State Police) credentials law enforcement chaplains who complete a required 40-hour course. Announced 2025; no statute found. Source: dps.arkansas.gov | Ark. R. Evid. 505 Source: arkleg.state.ar.us , law.justia.com | Arkansas Department of Public Safety 40-hour law enforcement chaplain course (with ADLEST and Arkansas State Police) Source: dps.arkansas.gov |
| California CA | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: post.ca.gov , leginfo.legislature.ca.gov | Cal. Evid. Code §§ 1030-1034 Source: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov | POST course catalog: Chaplain Course, Law Enforcement, Basic (40010) and Advanced (40011) Source: catalog.post.ca.gov , catalog.post.ca.gov |
| Colorado CO | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: post.colorado.gov , post.colorado.gov , post.colorado.gov | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-90-107(1)(c) Source: codes.findlaw.com | None found Checked: post.colorado.gov |
| Connecticut CT | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: portal.ct.gov , cga.ct.gov , cga.ct.gov | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-146b Source: cga.ct.gov | None found Checked: portal.ct.gov |
| Delaware DE | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: post.delaware.gov , delcode.delaware.gov , delcode.delaware.gov | Del. R. Evid. 505 Source: courts.delaware.gov | None found Checked: post.delaware.gov |
| District of Columbia DC | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: code.dccouncil.gov , code.dccouncil.gov , code.dccouncil.gov | D.C. Code § 14-309 Source: code.dccouncil.gov | None found Checked: code.dccouncil.gov |
| Florida FL | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: fdle.state.fl.us , leg.state.fl.us | Fla. Stat. § 90.505 Source: flsenate.gov | Florida Sheriffs Association Chaplaincy Training Expo (first held 2025) Source: flsheriffs.org |
| Georgia GA | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: gapost.org , gapost.org | O.C.G.A. § 24-5-502 Source: codes.findlaw.com , law.justia.com | Georgia Sheriffs' Association Chaplains' Division (40-hour basic course); Georgia Association of Law Enforcement Chaplains (GALEC) Source: georgiasheriffs.org , galec.org |
| Hawaii HI | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: ag.hawaii.gov , codes.findlaw.com | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 626-1, Rule 506 Source: capitol.hawaii.gov , data.capitol.hawaii.gov | None found Checked: ag.hawaii.gov , law.hawaii.gov |
| Idaho ID | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: post.idaho.gov , legislature.idaho.gov | Idaho Code § 9-203(3); Idaho R. Evid. 505 Source: legislature.idaho.gov , isc.idaho.gov | None found Checked: post.idaho.gov , chaplainsofidaho.org |
| Illinois IL | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: ptb.illinois.gov , ptb.illinois.gov , ilga.gov | 735 ILCS 5/8-803 Source: ilga.gov | None found Checked: ptb.illinois.gov , mtu12.com |
| Indiana IN | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: in.gov , codes.findlaw.com | Ind. Code § 34-46-3-1(3) Source: codes.findlaw.com , law.justia.com | Indiana State Police chaplain training (ICPC Basic Courses, for ISP volunteer chaplains) Source: in.gov , in.gov , in.gov |
| Iowa IA | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: ilea.iowa.gov , dps.iowa.gov | Iowa Code § 622.10(1) Source: legis.iowa.gov | None found Checked: ilea.iowa.gov , issda.org |
| Kansas KS | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: kscpost.gov , ksrevisor.gov | K.S.A. 60-429 Source: ksrevisor.gov | None found Checked: kscpost.gov , kletc.org |
| Kentucky KY | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: justice.ky.gov , docjt.ky.gov , apps.legislature.ky.gov | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 422A.0505 (KRE 505) Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov | None found Checked: docjt.ky.gov , docjt.ky.gov |
| Louisiana LA | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: lcle.la.gov , legis.la.gov | La. Code Evid. art. 511 Source: legis.la.gov | None found Checked: lcle.la.gov , lsp.org |
| Maine ME | State credential: the Maine Criminal Justice Academy offers a law enforcement chaplain credential to agency-appointed chaplains who are endorsed by a religious body, have two years of ministry experience, and complete its chaplain course. No statute found requiring it. Source: maine.gov , lldc.mainelegislature.org | Me. R. Evid. 505 Source: courts.maine.gov | Maine Criminal Justice Academy law enforcement chaplain course Source: maine.gov , maine.gov |
| Maryland MD | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: mgaleg.maryland.gov , mgaleg.maryland.gov , mgaleg.maryland.gov | Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 9-111 Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov | None found Checked: mgaleg.maryland.gov |
| Massachusetts MA | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: malegislature.gov , malegislature.gov | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, § 20A Source: malegislature.gov | None found Checked: malegislature.gov |
| Michigan MI | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: michigan.gov , legislature.mi.gov | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2156; Mich. Comp. Laws § 767.5a(2) Source: legislature.mi.gov , legislature.mi.gov | Call for Backup Chaplain Academy (courses registered with MCOLES, per the provider) Source: callforbackup.org |
| Minnesota MN | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: revisor.mn.gov , revisor.mn.gov , revisor.mn.gov | Minn. Stat. § 595.02, subd. 1(c) Source: revisor.mn.gov | None found Checked: revisor.mn.gov , mnchiefs.org |
| Mississippi MS | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: dps.ms.gov , dps.ms.gov | Miss. Code Ann. § 13-1-22; Miss. R. Evid. 505 Source: courts.ms.gov , law.justia.com | Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplain course hosted by the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy (2024) Source: dps.ms.gov |
| Missouri MO | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: dps.mo.gov , revisor.mo.gov | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.060(4) Source: revisor.mo.gov | Missouri Sheriffs' Association law enforcement chaplaincy course (2024) Source: mosheriffs.com |
| Montana MT | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: dojmt.gov , dojmt.gov | Mont. Code Ann. § 26-1-804 Source: mca.legmt.gov | None found Checked: dojmt.gov , dojmt.gov |
| Nebraska NE | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: ncc.nebraska.gov , nebraskalegislature.gov | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-506 (Neb. Evid. R. 506) Source: nebraskalegislature.gov | None found Checked: ncc.nebraska.gov , ncc.nebraska.gov |
| Nevada NV | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: post.nv.gov , leg.state.nv.us , leg.state.nv.us | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.255 Source: leg.state.nv.us | None found Checked: post.nv.gov , post.nv.gov , post.nv.gov |
| New Hampshire NH | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: pstc.nh.gov , gc.nh.gov , gc.nh.gov | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 516:35; N.H. R. Evid. 505 Source: gc.nh.gov , courts.nh.gov | None found Checked: pstc.nh.gov |
| New Jersey NJ | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: njoag.gov , nj.gov , state.nj.us | N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:84A-23; N.J.R.E. 511 Source: njcourts.gov | New Jersey Attorney General's annual Police Chaplains Conference (most recent confirmed: 2024) Source: njoag.gov , njoag.gov |
| New Mexico NM | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: lea.nm.gov , lea.nm.gov | Rule 11-506 NMRA (N.M. R. Evid. 11-506) Source: us.vlex.com , victimrights.org | ICPC Basic Law Enforcement Chaplain Training on the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy calendar (2024) Source: lea.nm.gov , lea.nm.gov |
| New York NY | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: criminaljustice.ny.gov , nysenate.gov , nysenate.gov | N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 4505 Source: nysenate.gov | New York State Sheriffs' Association Law Enforcement Chaplain Training Seminar (2025) Source: fingerlakesdailynews.com |
| North Carolina NC | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: ncdoj.gov , ncdoj.gov , ncleg.gov , ncleg.gov | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-53.2 Source: ncleg.gov | North Carolina Sheriffs' Chaplains Association (training resources for department and jail chaplains) Source: ncsca1.org |
| North Dakota ND | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: post.nd.gov , ndlegis.gov , post.nd.gov , ndlegis.gov , ndlegis.gov | N.D. R. Evid. 505 Source: ndcourts.gov | None found Checked: post.nd.gov , post.nd.gov |
| Ohio OH | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: ohioattorneygeneral.gov , codes.ohio.gov , codes.ohio.gov , codes.ohio.gov , codes.ohio.gov | Ohio Rev. Code § 2317.02(C) Source: codes.ohio.gov | None found Checked: ohioattorneygeneral.gov , opota.ohioattorneygeneral.gov , ohioattorneygeneral.gov |
| Oklahoma OK | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: oklahoma.gov , oksenate.gov , oksenate.gov , oksenate.gov , oksenate.gov | Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 2505 Source: oksenate.gov , law.justia.com | None found Checked: oklahoma.gov , oklahoma.gov |
| Oregon OR | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: oregon.gov , oregonlegislature.gov , oregon.gov | Or. Rev. Stat. § 40.260 (OEC 506) Source: oregonlegislature.gov | Oregon Chaplains Academy (Public Safety Chaplaincy, held at the DPSST campus in Salem) Source: pscnw.org , flashalert.net |
| Pennsylvania PA | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: pa.gov , palegis.us , pacodeandbulletin.gov | 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5943 Source: palegis.us | None found Checked: pa.gov , pa.gov |
| Rhode Island RI | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: rimpa.ri.gov , webserver.rilegislature.gov , rules.sos.ri.gov | R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-23 Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov | None found Checked: rules.sos.ri.gov |
| South Carolina SC | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: sccja.sc.gov , scstatehouse.gov , scstatehouse.gov | S.C. Code Ann. § 19-11-90 Source: scstatehouse.gov | SC LEAP Public Safety Chaplaincy Training Program; South Carolina Public Safety Chaplains Association Source: scleap.org , lr.edu , scpsca.org |
| South Dakota SD | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: atg.sd.gov , sdlegislature.gov , sdlegislature.gov , sdlegislature.gov | S.D. Codified Laws § 19-19-505 (S.D. R. Evid. 505) Source: sdlegislature.gov | Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplain course on the state law enforcement training list (outside provider, 2026) Source: sdletc.acadisonline.com , events.billygraham.org |
| Tennessee TN | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: tn.gov , tn.gov , codes.findlaw.com | Tenn. Code Ann. § 24-1-206 Source: codes.findlaw.com , law.justia.com | None found Checked: tn.gov , tn.gov , tletoa.org |
| Texas TX | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: tcole.texas.gov , tcole.texas.gov , tcss.legis.texas.gov , tcss.legis.texas.gov | Tex. R. Evid. 505 Source: txcourts.gov | TCOLE course reporting numbers 6051 (Police Chaplain Training) and 6052 (Chaplaincy for Law Enforcement) Source: tcole.texas.gov |
| Utah UT | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: post.utah.gov , post.utah.gov | Utah Code § 78B-1-137(3); Utah R. Evid. 503 Source: le.utah.gov , legacy.utcourts.gov | None found Checked: post.utah.gov |
| Vermont VT | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: vcjc.vermont.gov , legislature.vermont.gov , vcjc.vermont.gov | 12 V.S.A. § 1607; Vt. R. Evid. 505 Source: legislature.vermont.gov , vtcourts.gov | None found Checked: vcjc.vermont.gov , vcjc.vermont.gov |
| Virginia VA | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: dcjs.virginia.gov , law.lis.virginia.gov , dcjs.virginia.gov , law.lis.virginia.gov | Va. Code § 8.01-400 (civil); Va. Code § 19.2-271.3 (criminal); Va. R. Evid. 2:503 Source: law.lis.virginia.gov , law.lis.virginia.gov | None found Checked: dcjs.virginia.gov , dcjs.virginia.gov |
| Washington WA | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: cjtc.wa.gov , app.leg.wa.gov , cjtc.wa.gov | Wash. Rev. Code § 5.60.060(3) Source: app.leg.wa.gov | Police & Fire Chaplain Training Academy (Tacoma-Pierce County Chaplaincy, associated with the WSCJTC) Source: tacomapiercechaplaincy.com , whatcomcounty.us , masoncountywa.gov |
| West Virginia WV | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: das.wv.gov , code.wvlegislature.gov | W. Va. Code § 57-3-9 Source: code.wvlegislature.gov | None found Checked: das.wv.gov |
| Wisconsin WI | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: wisdoj.gov , docs.legis.wisconsin.gov , docs.legis.wisconsin.gov | Wis. Stat. § 905.06 Source: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov | None found Checked: wisdoj.gov , docs.legis.wisconsin.gov |
| Wyoming WY | No statewide license; agencies set their own requirements Checked: post.wyo.gov , wyoleg.gov | Wyo. Stat. § 1-12-101(a)(ii) Source: wyoleg.gov | Wyoming Law Enforcement Chaplains Association (WLECA) training seminars Source: wylechaplains.com |
Methodology
Each entry was checked against primary or reputable legal sources: state legislature code sites, official court rules, the state's peace officer standards agency, and established legal databases such as Cornell's Legal Information Institute and Justia. Every claim links to the pages it rests on.
- "No statewide license" means a search of the state's statutes and its officer-standards agency found no license, credential, or registration for law enforcement chaplains. The linked pages are the ones we checked. Arkansas and Maine run a state credential program for chaplains; we found no statute requiring it in either.
- Clergy privilege lists the statute or rule of evidence that creates the privilege. Some states have both; where they do, both are cited.
- Statewide training lists chaplain training offered or listed by a state academy, state police, a state commission, or a state-level association. A national program appears only when a state body hosted or listed it, with the year shown. Single-city or county academies appear only when a state training body is formally associated with them. "None found" means our search turned up nothing that fits.
- "Not yet verified" means we could not confirm the field from a source we trust. We do not guess.
Last verified September 24, 2026. Laws change; check the linked source for the current text.
Please read before relying on this table
This page is educational. It is not legal advice, and it is not a statement of any agency's hiring standards. Privilege law in particular turns on precise wording, court decisions, and the facts of a given conversation. Confirm requirements with the agency you hope to serve, and ask a licensed attorney in your state about privilege and mandated-reporting questions. If you spot an error or a change in the law, let us know.
Where to go next
What confidentiality looks like in practice, and how a chaplain works within agency structure, is the subject of Chaplain with a Badge.
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