Hospitals, military-adjacent contractors, hotels along the River Walk and a steady stream of events — San Antonio has no shortage of posts that call for a commissioned officer. Level 3 is the door.
Three Things People Get Wrong About Level 3
- It is not Level 4. Level 3 is the commissioned security officer course required by §35.141(a)(2). Level 4 is the separate personal protection officer course. You need Level 3 before Level 4, not instead of it.
- It does not replace Level 2. When you apply for the commission, DPS wants copies of both certificates — see §35.81(a).
- Your employer cannot teach it to you in-house. Level 2 allows a licensee’s designated person to deliver training. Level 3 does not.
Where the Course Material Comes From
The Level 3 curriculum is prepared by and obtained from the Texas Department of Public Safety. It is delivered by a DPS-approved school and taught by a DPS-approved instructor. Both conditions have to be met. If you are shopping around San Antonio for a class, that is the first question to ask.
Part 1: The Online Portion
ETXSTA offers Part 1 100% online. This covers the classroom side of a commissioned officer’s job: the legal boundaries, use of force, the duties attached to carrying on duty, and the written examination. For officers already working nights at a medical center or a hotel, being able to do this portion at home is the practical difference between getting commissioned this month and putting it off again.
Part 2: What Has to Happen in Person
- Defensive tactics
- Firearms handling
- A firearms proficiency exam
The price of the online course covers the online training only. The in-person firearms qualification is booked separately.
The Range Test and the Shotgun
If you have shot a License to Carry qualification, this one will look almost identical. The commissioned officer rules additionally set out a shotgun course of fire, giving students the option to qualify with a shotgun as well as a handgun.
Mind the Score
Level 3 and Level 4 school examinations require a minimum of 75% to pass under §35.144(c). The License to Carry written test uses a lower threshold, so do not carry that number over.
Your Certificate
You finish with a certificate of completion (PSP 30), which becomes part of your commission application to DPS alongside your Level 2 certificate.
Start From San Antonio
ETXSTA is a DPS-approved school, and Part 1 runs entirely online — no drive, no classroom day burned. Enroll, work through the material, then schedule your hands-on portion.
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