Sheriff, Chief, and Marshal Eligibility

Background Checks for Agency Heads

This webpage was created in response to Washington Senate Bill 5974, which took effect on May 1, 2026 and requires that the WSCJTC post on its website a list of all candidates for sheriff who have submitted the request for a background check. 

On April 29, 2026, a Thurston County Superior Court judge granted a preliminary injunction to block the immediate enforcement of SB 5974. This injunction includes sections of the bill that affect elected sheriffs. The remaining portions of the bill that concern appointed sheriffs, chiefs, and town marshals will remain effective as of May 1, 2026.

Under RCW 43.101.095, any person seeking employment as a peace, corrections, reserve, or limited authority officer—which includes chiefs, and marshals, and appointed sheriffs—must submit to a background investigation to determine if they meet eligibility requirements and are suitable for employment. In addition, the appointing authority for chiefs, marshals and appointed sheriffs must submit an Eligibility Requirement Verification Form to the WSCJTC certifying that the candidate meets the eligibility requirements for the position.

All files, papers, and other information obtained as part of the background investigation are confidential and exempt from public disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW. The verification by the WSCJTC that the background investigation has been completed, and whether it has been passed or failed, is a public record.

Agencies are still required to submit a Notice of Hire form for all sheriffs, chiefs, or marshals immediately upon hire.

Eligibility Requirements for Chiefs of Police, Town Marshals, and Appointed Sheriffs

RCW 35.21.333(j)(i) and RCW 36.28.025(2)(d) require eligibility verification of a police chief, town marshal, or appointed sheriff prior to their hire. The appointing authority must submit to the WSCJTC an Eligibility Requirement Verification Form no earlier than six months prior to their hire certifying that the candidate meets the eligibility requirements for the position.

For internal promotions to chief, marshal, or appointed sheriff with no break in service, the appointing authority should submit a new criminal check request to WSP then submit the Eligibility Verification Form to WSCJTC.

Chief, Marshal and Appointed Sheriff Eligibility Requirement Verification Form

Per RCW 35.21.333, a person seeking appointment to the office of chief of police or marshal of any city or town is eligible only if that person:

• Is a United States citizen;
• Must be at least 25 years of age;
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• Has not been convicted of a felony;
• Has not been convicted of a gross misdemeanor, unless the conviction has been vacated;
• Has not and does not engage in conduct meeting the criteria requiring denial or revocation of certification under RCW 43.101.105(2);
• Has received at least a general discharge under honorable conditions from any branch of military service if the person was in the military service;
• Has completed at least five years of regular, full-time law enforcement employment with a government law enforcement agency;
• Within nine months of assuming office, unless otherwise extended by the WSCJTC, has obtained certification required under chapter 43.101 RCW and has never had their certification denied, revoked, voluntarily surrendered, or reinstated by any other state; and
• Has completed a background check that verifies that the person has met the eligibility requirements.
  • The background check must be completed no earlier than six months prior to the date of appointment, and confirmation must be submitted to the WSCJTC that the background check verified that the person meets the eligibility requirements.
  • The appointing authority is responsible for any cost associated with the background check.
  • A person seeking appointment to the office of chief of police or marshal shall provide a sworn statement under penalty of perjury to the appointing authority stating that the person meets the requirements of this section.

Timeline for Form Submission

• Eligibility Requirement Verification Form – no earlier than six months prior to the date of appointment, but before the Notice of Hire.
• Notice of Hire Form – by the date of hire. 

Resources

• RCW 36.28.025 – County Sheriff Qualifications
• RCW 43.101.095 – Peace and corrections officer certification—Background investigation
• Chief, Marshal, and Appointed Sheriff Eligibility Requirement Verification Form
• How to Submit Eligibility Requirement Verification Form

Frequently Asked Questions