Langley started his career in 1970 in Custer County, Oklahoma working as an office deputy. He was hired on with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) as a special agent in 1977. As a special agent, Langley was assigned to the Lawton, Oklahoma office.
Before beginning his law enforcement career, Langley received a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and a Master's degree from Oklahoma State University (OSU). He has served with the United States Army Reserve and the Oklahoma Army National Guard. Langley earned a Doctor of Education degree in Applied Educational Studies from Oklahoma State University.