A court officer, commonly known as a bailiff, could also be a sheriff’s deputy, marshal or constable. While the terminology may vary, the basic eligibility requirements to become a court officer are more or less the same from state to state. You will mostly likely have to be at least 18 years of age and be a legal resident of the state where you live. Additionally, you must also pass several examinations and assessments before you can become a court officer.

Meet Eligibility Requirements

You will need to be at least 18 years of age, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, be a United States resident and be a resident of the state where you are applying to become a court officer.

Pass Court Officer-Trainee Exam

Apply to take the Court Officer-Trainee examination; you may have to pay a nominal processing fee. You can purchase a commercial study guide to help you prepare for the exam, or view sample questions on your state’s website. Expect to spend several hours at the test center on the day of the exam. You may not receive results for up to 6 months after the exam.

Pass Additional Examinations/Assessments

Depending upon the state you reside in, you may have to take several examinations and assessments after getting a qualifying score on the trainee exam to be eligible for a position as a court officer. Among those assessments are a full medical exam, background check, psychological assessment and an evaluation board review.