By state
911 Dispatcher Requirements by State
The skills the hiring test measures are the same across the country — but whether you need a state license or certification, and who sets the rules, varies a lot. The table compares 22 states side by side.
Each row is drawn from the official state body, statute or administrative code linked in it. Training hours appear only where the official source states them; a dash means we could not confirm a figure, not that there is none. Which pre-employment test an agency uses is set by that agency, not the state — always check the job posting.
Last checked: October 2, 2026
| State | Oversight body | Licence or certification required? | Basic training hours | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) | No statewide requirement | — | California POST — dispatcher candidate information |
| Texas | Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) | Yes — state license | At least 40 before employment | TCOLE — telecommunications officers |
| Florida | Florida Department of Health — 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Program | Yes — state certification | At least 232 (approved program) | Florida DOH — 911 PST Program |
| New York | NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) | State training standard; no personal state license | — | NY DHSES — PSAP minimum standards |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) — 911 Office | State training standard; no personal state license | — | PEMA — 911 employment (by county) |
| Illinois | Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator, Illinois State Police | State training standard; no personal state license | — | Illinois State Police — Statewide 9-1-1 |
| Ohio | Ohio 9-1-1 Program Office (Department of Administrative Services) | State training standard; no personal state license | At least 80 | Ohio 9-1-1 Program Office |
| Georgia | Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (Georgia POST) | Yes — state certification | 48 (basic course) | GPSTC — become a communications officer |
| North Carolina | N.C. 911 Board (Department of Information Technology) | State training standard; no personal state license | 40 (or 47 on the Sheriffs' Commission track) | N.C. 911 Board — telecommunicator careers |
| Michigan | Michigan State 911 Committee (administered through the Michigan State Police) | State training standard; no personal state license | 80 (two 40-hour modules) | Michigan State 911 Committee — training |
| New Jersey | Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services (OETS) | Yes — state certification | — | NJ Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services |
| Virginia | Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) | Yes — state certification | — | Virginia DCJS — dispatchers certification |
| Washington | Public Safety Telecommunicators Certification Board (State 911 Coordination Office) | Yes — state certification | — | Washington State 911 Coordination Office |
| Arizona | None — set by each agency | No statewide requirement | — | Arizona 9-1-1 Program |
| Massachusetts | State 911 Department (Executive Office of Public Safety and Security) | Yes — state certification | At least 40, plus two days of equipment training | Massachusetts State 911 Department |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (Department of Commerce and Insurance) | State training standard; no personal state license | — | Tennessee ECB — training resources |
| Missouri | Missouri 911 Service Board (Department of Public Safety) | State training standard; no personal state license | 16 or 40, depending on role | Missouri 911 Service Board — training |
| Indiana | Indiana Statewide 911 Board | No statewide requirement | — | Indiana Statewide 911 Board — state-funded training |
| Maryland | Maryland 9-1-1 Board (formerly the Emergency Number Systems Board), Maryland Department of Emergency Management | State training standard; no personal state license | — | Maryland 911 — training |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Office of Emergency Communications (Department of Military Affairs) | State training standard; no personal state license | — | Wisconsin Office of Emergency Communications |
| Colorado | Colorado 911 Resource Center | No statewide requirement | — | Colorado 911 Resource Center — training |
| Minnesota | Emergency Communication Networks division, Minnesota Department of Public Safety | Not settled — check with the state | — | Minnesota DPS — 911 program |
Florida, Texas and California link to our in-depth guides on their state exam or test battery; the other state names link to a short summary of that state's rules.
Don't see your state? The hiring test skills are national — start with the practice modules, and check your agency's posting for the exact requirements where you are.