How Do I Become a Trooper?
All requirements must be met prior to completing the online pre-employment application.
1. Must be twenty-one (21) years of age.
(An applicant twenty (20) years of age may apply if they have successfully completed an associates degree or 60 credit hours at a regionally accredited college or university.)
2. Cannot have been convicted of a felony.
3. Must be a citizen of the United States.
4. Must possess a valid driver's license.
5. Must be willing to accept an assignment anywhere in the State of Illinois.
6. Completed ONE of the following options:
OPTION ONE
Associate degree or at least 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university with at least a C average.
OPTION TWO
No education needed if applicant meets ONE of the following:- Honorably discharged AND awarded at least one of the qualifying medals by the United States Armed Forces.
- 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.
- Honorably discharged AND served in a combat mission by proof of hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay during deployment on active duty.
- Three 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 THREE
No education needed if applicant meets ALL of the following at the time of application:- Has successfully completed basic law enforcement training
- Has at least three (3) years of continuous, full-time service as a peace officer with the same police department
- Is currently serving as a peace officer.
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
PLEASE NOTE: Official, sealed transcripts will be required as proof.
Qualifying Military Medals:
• Southwest Asia Service Medal
• Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
• Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
• Kosovo Campaign Medal
• 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
PLEASE NOTE: a DD-214 Long Form will be required as proof.
STEPS IN THE CADET APPLICANT PROCESS
Below is an overview of each step in the Cadet Applicant Process to be an Illinois State Trooper. All steps in the are mandatory to continue in the hiring process, and cannot be rescheduled for any reason. Each step must be successfully completed in the order outlined below to move forward in the process. Failure to participate in any portion will result in removal from the Cadet Applicant Process.
Any candidate who does not meet the Merit Board's Pre-Employment Requirements at the time of application submission will be automatically disqualified.
To begin the application process, submit the online Pre-Employment Application Form. The form allows you to pick a cadet applican testing date. Candidates will complete the PFIT first then the online Recruitment Exam on the same day.
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The PFIT is mandatory to continue in the Selection Process. Applicants who do not successfully complete the PFIT or fail to participate will be removed from the process and required to resubmit a Pre-Employment Application Form.
Practical exercise performance requirements are fitness activities related to law enforcement tasks. The following practical exercise performance requirements have been identified and must be satisfactorily performed for successful completion of the State Police Merit Board's PFIT requirement.
1. Sit & Reach Test
2. One Minute Sit-Up Test
3. One Repetition Maximum Bench Press
4. 1.5 Mile Run
PFIT INFORMATION
The Merit Board will notify each applicant of their Recruitment Exam score via e-mail. Applicants who meet the benchmark score on the Recruitment Exam are placed in the eligibility pool based on their Recruitment Exam score.
An optional study guide is available for purchase at the link below. Practice tests are also available for purchase. This material is not required to participate in the Recruitment Test. Candidates will be required to take the "LST Exam".
LST STUDY MATERIALS
Applicants should be prepared to submit the following documents directly to IO Solutions as soon as possible after completion of the PFIT/Recruitment Exam and Online Application:
- Copy of a valid driver's license
- Recent color photograph from shoulders up (face only). Must be passport quality.
- Copy of birth record as proof of citizenship. The following are acceptable forms:
- Copy of U.S. County/State issued birth record
- Copy of valid U.S. Passport
- Copy of Naturalization Papers
(PLEASE NOTE: Hospital issued birth certificates are not verifiable, and therefore will not be accepted.)
- ORIGINAL, OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS submitted in a SEALED envelope indicating completion of education requirements (if applicable).
- Copy of DD-214 LONG FORM (if applicable) – must show discharge status
- Copy of Law Enforcement Officer Certification (if applicable).
Applicants who do not meet the Pre-Employment Requirements at the time of application submission will be automatically disqualified.
The background investigation may include but is not limited to, the following areas: education, personal, and employment reference check; traffic, criminal, and credit history check; and a personal interview conducted by one or more background investigators.
Once all background investigation information has been compiled, a Background Review Committee comprised of State Police Merit Board Members will meet to review the background investigation to determine whether an applicant advances to the Oral Interview Process.
Polygraph testing may be required at this, or any other stage of the Selection Process.
Part one of the interview process consists of an interview with a State Police Merit Board Member and an Illinois State Police Colonel.
Part two of the interview process includes a written assignment and an oral presentation to a panel of Illinois State Police Officers.
Qualified applicants are then ranked based on their Oral Interview score. Military Veterans are given five veterans preference points at this step in the process.
The Board may certify more applicants than the number of vacant positions at the time of certification. All Certified applicants shall be eligible for appointment for a period of time designated by the Board.
After Certification, the Illinois State Police will make a conditional offer of employment to enough applicants to fill the vacant positions in the next scheduled Cadet Class. Applicants are then scheduled for a medical examination, psychological examination, and drug screening. These exams are administered by the Illinois State Police.
Cadets will be required to successfully complete PFIT the first week of Academy training.
The Academy is a 28-week, para-military environment. Cadets are required to stay at the Academy Sunday through Friday each week.
During the training period, cadets are furnished lodging, meals and most necessary supplies and equipment. Most weekends, Cadets are free to travel home.
CONNECT WITH A RECRUITER
Connect with an ISP Recruiter to learn more about the career of a Trooper.
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APPLICATION FEE WAIVER PROGRAM
Apply for the State Police Merit Board's Application Fee Waiver Program.
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