EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATOR TRAINING
On September 1, 2019 Texas House Bill 1090 officially recognized and reclassified Emergency Telecommunicators as First Responders in the State of Texas. The State of Texas made history by becoming the first state in the country to recognize and reclassify its Emergency Telecommunicators as First Responders. Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1090 into law on June 10, 2019.
9-1-1 Telecommunicators receive specialized training in order to handle a broad range of potential call types in the PSAP. Texas requires all law enforcement Telecommunicators to complete a 40-hour Basic Telecommunicator training course prior to taking TCOLE’s licensing exam within their first year of employment. In addition, Telecommunicators must complete several hours of “field training” before receiving their Basic Telecommunications Certification from TCOLE.
The Texas Department of Public Safety also requires all PSAPs performing law enforcement functions to attend 24 hours of training on the Texas and the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems (TLETS/NLETS) within their first 6 months of employment. CCECD offers this, and additional training in: Law Enforcement Dispatch, Fire Service Dispatch, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Communication Training Officer, Basic Spanish, Ethics, Crisis Communications and more to assist Telecommunicators with advancing to intermediate and advance certification levels.
Telecommunicators are required complete 20 hours of continuing education training every two years or TCOLE training cycle in order to maintain their Telecommunicator license. Seasoned Telecommunicators have an opportunity to progress from a Basic Proficiency Certificate to an Intermediate Proficiency Certificate, Advance Proficiency Certificate and a Master Proficiency Certificate. For more information visit the TCOLE website.
In order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, all call-takers must attend training on Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at least once every six months. This training provides familiarity with the equipment, and keeps them abreast of changes in technology.
CCECD also offers training from various organizations such as the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) that specialize in issues affecting public safety.
CCECD is committed to assisting each Public Safety Answering Point it serves with continuing education training for the professional development of their 9-1-1 Telecommunicators.
TCOLE Training Cycle
The new Telecommunicator Training Cycle started on September 1, 2026. All Texas Telecommunicators must have 20 hours of continuing education credit completed by August 31, 2028. Failure to complete training will put your license in jeopardy.
Texas House Bill #786
HB 786 Amended Occupations Code 1701.3071 to require cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for Telecommunicators.
A state agency, county, special district or municipality that appoints or employs a telecommunicator shall provide training to the telecommunicator of not less than 20 hours during each 24-month period of employment that includes: telecommunicator cardio pulmonary resuscitation training that: 1) use of the most current nationally recognized emergency cardiovascular care guidelines; 2) incorporates recognition protocols for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; and 3) provides information on best practices for relaying compressions-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructions to callers.
TCOLE Training Cycle Ends
TCIC/TLETS Mobile Access (TCOLE #4800 - 8 hours): This in-person course is designed for users who perform TCIC/NCIC functions. TLETS training covers databases such as driver license, vehicle registration, and Financial Responsibility Verification Program (FRVP). In conjunction with TLETS, the training provides law enforcement with the procedural knowledge to query records and access Criminal History Record Information (CHRI). This course requires the TCIC/TLETS Mobile Access Manual. Users must recertify every two years. Prerequisites: Attendee must have a valid TLETS Username and TXDPS Cornerstone ID.
TCIC/TLETS Less Than Full Access (TCOLE #4801 - 16 hours): This in-person course is designed for users who perform TCIC/NCIC functions. TLETS training covers databases such as driver license, vehicle registration, Financial Responsibility Verification Program (FRVP), International Justice and Public Safety Network (Nlets), Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), and Interpol. In conjunction with TLETS, the training provides law enforcement with the procedural knowledge to query records, access Criminal History Record Information (CHRI), confirm hits, and send and receive administrative messages. This course requires the TCIC/TLETS Less Than Full Access Manual. Users must recertify every two years. Prerequisites: Attendee must have valid TLETS Username and TXDPS Cornerstone ID.
TCIC/TLETS Full Access (TCOLE #4802 - 24 hours): This in-person course is designed for users who perform all TCIC/NCIC functions. TLETS training covers databases such as driver license, vehicle registration, Financial Responsibility Verification Program (FRVP), International Justice and Public Safety Network (Nlets), Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), and Interpol. In conjunction with TLETS, the training provides law enforcement with the procedural knowledge to query, enter, modify, clear, and cancel records, access Criminal History Record Information (CHRI), confirm hits, and send and receive administrative messages. This course requires the TCIC/TLETS Full Access Manual. Users must recertify every two years.
TCOLE #3845 - CPR The American Heart Association’s BLS course trains participants to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate breaths and ventilations, and provide early use of an AED. This is a Prerequisite for the Basic Telecommunicator Licensing Course (TCOLE #1080).
TCOLE #3845 - CPR The American Heart Association’s BLS course trains participants to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate breaths and ventilations, and provide early use of an AED. This is a Prerequisite for the Basic Telecommunicator Licensing Course (TCOLE #1080).
TCOLE #3845 - CPR The American Heart Association’s BLS course trains participants to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate breaths and ventilations, and provide early use of an AED. This is a Prerequisite for the Basic Telecommunicator Licensing Course (TCOLE #1080).
TCOLE #3845 - CPR The American Heart Association’s BLS course trains participants to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate breaths and ventilations, and provide early use of an AED. This is a Prerequisite for the Basic Telecommunicator Licensing Course (TCOLE #1080).