Resources

Official sources for residents, attorneys, courts, and constables: state law, training and certification, county election offices, and court lookups.

Official Links

Laws, Lookups & Agencies

These links go to official state and court websites.

ResourceWhat it's forProvided by
44 Pa.C.S. Chapter 71 — ConstablesThe full text of the state law on constables: elections, deputies, training, powers, and feesPA General Assembly
Certified Constable SearchCheck whether a constable or deputy is currently certified, by name, certification number, or countyPCCD
Constables' Education & TrainingCourse schedules, costs, and enrollment for Basic Training, Continuing Education, and FirearmsPCCD
Find Your Polling PlaceEnter your address to see your polling place, which also tells you your municipality and wardPA Department of State
Magisterial District Judge SearchFind the district court that serves your addressUnified Judicial System of PA
Contact Your Election OfficialsEvery county board of elections in PennsylvaniaPA Department of State
Training

Training & Certification

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) trains and certifies constables. A constable must be certified before performing judicial duties or collecting fees for them (44 Pa.C.S. § 7142).

Basic Training

80 hours. Required before a constable can perform judicial duties. Cost: $1,125.

Continuing Education

20 hours a year (8 in the classroom, 12 online). Required to renew certification. Cost: $210.

Basic Firearms

40 hours. Required for constables who carry a firearm on duty. Cost: $1,485.

Annual Firearms Qualification

Taken every year to stay certified to carry a firearm.

Source: PCCD, Constables' Education & Training. Courses fill on a first-come, first-served basis. Costs are as published by PCCD and may change.

County Offices

County Election Offices

For constable election results, candidate filing dates, and petition requirements, contact your county's election office.

Find your county election office: The Pennsylvania Department of State lists the address, phone number, and website for every county board of elections, including Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland. Contact Your Election Officials →

Source: PA Department of State, Contact Your Election Officials.

Help

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a constable?
A constable is a peace officer elected by the voters of a borough, township, city, or ward to a six-year term. Constables keep the peace at the polls on Election Day, and certified constables also serve the courts by delivering papers, executing warrants, and transporting defendants. See What Constables Do.
How do I find the constable for my area?
Use Find Your Constable: select your county, then your municipality. If you live in a municipality with wards and don't know yours, the state's Find Your Polling Place tool shows your ward.
Is a constable a police officer?
Not in the usual sense. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has described a constable as a peace officer who belongs to the executive branch (In re Act 147 of 1990, 1991). Constables are independent elected officers, not employees of a police department, and they have only the powers state law gives them. For example, the Supreme Court has held that constables cannot make traffic stops (Commonwealth v. Roose, 1998). In 2026, the full Superior Court held that a constable is not a police officer under the Vehicle Code (Commonwealth v. Wiggs). Some other laws do include constables in their definitions for specific purposes. For emergencies, call 911.
How can I check whether a constable is certified?
Search by name or county with PCCD's Certified Constable Search. Only certified constables may perform judicial duties.
When is the next constable election?
Constables are next elected in the 2027 municipal elections: the primary on May 18, 2027 and the general election on November 2, 2027. The winners' six-year terms begin on January 3, 2028. Your county election office publishes the official dates and filing deadlines.
How do I become a constable?
File nominating petitions with your county board of elections and run in the municipal primary and election. If a seat is vacant, the Court of Common Pleas can appoint someone on a petition signed by at least ten qualified electors (§ 7121). Before performing judicial duties, you must complete PCCD Basic Training and file proof of liability insurance. See Elections & Organization.
How do I file a complaint about a constable?
Complaints about court work can be raised with the Magisterial District Judge or the Court of Common Pleas that assigned the work. The court may summon the constable to investigate and report (§ 7157(b)). On a verified petition, the Court of Common Pleas may remove a constable from office (§ 7172).
Why does a seat in the directory show "Unknown / Vacant"?
The directory is built from each county's 2021 election results. Many constable seats had no candidate on the ballot and were decided by write-in votes, and the county records don't always name the winner. If you are the constable for one of these seats, use the button on that listing to send us a message.