Pre-Employment Application Form

To begin the application process for the Illinois State Police Trooper position and be considered for Cadet Class 153: January 2026 In-House Lateral Program, the Pre-Employment Form below must be completed by May 1, 2025.

If multiple entries of this form are submitted, all previous entries will be removed and the most recent submission will be utilized.

NOT LATERAL ELIGIBLE?

The Illinois State Police Merit Board will begin processing candidates for Cadet Class 154: Traditional on May 2, 2025, through October 1, 2025. Cadet Class 154 is tentatively scheduled to begin in June 2026, and will be a full-time 27-week academy class.

Cadet Class 153: Lateral In-House Training Program

Applicant Information

First Name *

Middle Name *

Last Name *

Date of Birth *

/ /

You have 2022 characters left.

Gender *

Race and Ethnicity *

Home Address

Address should reflect the address currently listed on your driver's license. This will be verified at a later date.

Street Address *

Apt/Suite/Other

City *

State *

Zip Code *

County *

Contact Information

Email Address *

Confirm Email Address *

Cell Phone Number *

Additional Phone Number

Pre-Employment Requirements

The following requirements must be met to be considered an acceptable applicant. All information provided will be verified at a later date. Any false statements may be considered sufficient cause for disqualification from the Cadet Applicant Process.

I am at least 21 years of age:

I currently possess a valid driver's license:

I have never been convicted of a felony:

I am a citizen of the United States:

I am willing to accept an assignment anywhere in the state of Illinois:

Applicants must meet at least one of the following options:

OPTION ONE: Associate's degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university with a C average or higher.

OPTION TWO: Honorably discharged and been awarded at least one of the qualifying medals by the United States Armed Forces.

OPTION THREE: An active member of the Illinois National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces and been awarded at least one of the qualifying medals as a result of honorable service during deployment on active duty.

OPTION FOUR: Served in a combat mission by proof of hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay during deployment on active duty and recieved an honorable discharge.

OPTION FIVE: Has at least 3 years of full active and continuous United States Armed Forces duty, which also includes a period of active duty with the State of Illinois under Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code pursuant to an order of the President or the Governor of the State of Illinois, and received an honorable discharge.

OPTION SIX: Has successfully completed basic law enforcement training, has at least 3 years of continuous, full-time service as a peace officer with the same police department, and is currently serving as a peace officer.

I currently meet the following:

Click here to view accreditations accepted or military medals

College or University must be accredited by one of the following:

Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Higher Learning Commission
New England Commission of Higher Education
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges
WASC Senior College and University Commission Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges

Qualifying Military Medals:

Southwest Asia Service Medal
Kosovo Campaign Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Korean Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal

NOTE: Proof will be required by sealed, official transcripts and/or military DD-214.

Lateral Eligibility

To be considered eligible for the Lateral In-House Program, candidates must meet all of the following:

1. Must be a current certified police officer, having graduated from an accredited law enforcement academy.

Qualifying Military Police must have successfully completed a Basic Military Police Course:
- United States Army
- United States Marine Corps
- United States Air Force
- United States Navy
Qualifying Department of Army (DA) Civilian Police must have successfully completed the U.S. Army Civilian Police Academy.

(Illinois Department of Corrections experience does not apply towards eligibility. However, it will apply towards retirement.)

2. Must have at least two years of experience while employed as a full-time sworn police officer.

(Applicants who do not have 2 years experience at the time of the application may still be considered if they will have completed 2 years by January 4, 2026.)

3. Must provide documentation of successful completion of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) / International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) approved DWI/DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing training program by January 4, 2026.

4. Must meet all pre-employment requirements and standards established by the ISP Merit Board and successfully complete the Cadet Applicant process.

Applicants are responsible for providing documentation supporting their qualifications which include the following when applicable:

Law Enforcement Officer Certification
Basic Military Police Course Certificate
U.S. Army Civilian Police Academy Certificate showing successful completion of military police training at a federal service school, years of service as documented on a DD-214 Long Form, and any additional police schooling/training applicant may have completed.

Lateral Eligibilty:

Application Referral

How did you hear about the Illinois State Police Trooper application?

What kind of event?

Which college or university?

If other, please describe:

If you were referred by an Illinois State Trooper, please provide the Trooper's name and ID Number:

Trooper's Star ID Number:

Trooper's Name:

January 2026 Cadet Class

The State Police Merit Board is currently accepting applications for the following Cadet Class:

January 2026 - Lateral In-House (application deadline: May 1, 2025)

Select your Physical Fitness Inventory Test (PFIT) and Recruitment Exam date and location:

Please note: to select a new PFIT/Recruitment Exam test date, you must submit a new Pre-Employment Application Form. Any previous entries will be removed.

Certification of Facts:

I certify that the facts set forth on this Pre-Employment Form are true and complete. I understand any false statements may be considered sufficient cause for disqualification.

Fitness Test Waiver & Release of Liability

Click Here to View the Fitness Test Waiver and Release of Liability

IN CONSIDERATION of the granting of my request to be permitted to take the Illinois State Police Merit Board Examinations and particularly that portion thereof known as the Fitness Test, I hereby waive any claim for injuries to my person that may arise out of my taking, and participating in, the Fitness Test as administered by Illinois State Police sworn personnel. As such applicant, I undertake to assume the risk of all dangerous conditions which may exist on the premises where the tests are administered or the equipment and/or facilities used, and waive notice of the existence of such conditions and rely on my inspection of the same.

IN FURTHER CONSIDERATION of my being permitted to take the Fitness Test, I hereby release the State of Illinois, all of its employees and agents, and the institution where the tests are given, its officers and employees from any claim which I may have of any nature whatsoever and for any injuries to my person or damage to my property while taking said Fitness Test.

I have read the foregoing and understand every word of the Release and Waiver. By typing my name below, I agree and accept the terms.

Captcha

Please type the letters and numbers shown in the image. Click the image to see another captcha.

Already verified you are human.

Illinois State Police Merit Board

Pre-Employment Application Form

Cadet Class 153: Lateral In-House Training Program

Applicant Information

Home Address

Contact Information

Pre-Employment Requirements

Lateral Eligibility

Application Referral

January 2026 Cadet Class

Consent & Certification of Facts

Text (SMS) Consent

Captcha