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Promotional Process

 

All notifications throughout the Promotional Process will be made by e-mail only from the Illinois State Police Merit Board. 
 

Questions regarding the Promotional Process should be e-mailed to the Merit Board at: promotions@ispmeritboard.org.

 

 

TEST ANNOUNCEMENT

 

The State Police Merit Board's 2026 Promotional Process Announcement for those testing to the rank of Sergeant and Master Sergeant is linked below. 

 

2026 PROMOTIONAL PROCESS ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Published: February 5, 2026
 

TEST DATES

 

The target Master Sergeant Job Knowledge and Assessment Center will be administered August 31-Setpember 4, 2026, in Springfield. 

The target Sergeant Job Knowledge and Assessment Center will be administered September 14-Setpember 18, 2026, in Springfield. 

 

All candidates will be assigned an individual appointment date and time. The Job Knowledge Exam and Assessment Center will be administered in-person only, on the same day, at the location determined by the Merit Board.  Specific information will be provided to candidates at a later date.   

 

Published: February 5, 2026

READING LISTS

 

The 2026 Reading Lists will be published by April 1, 2026.

 

 

 

Published: February 5, 2026

TEST DECLARATION 

 

 

To be eligible to participate in the 2026 Promotional Process, all candidates must complete the online Test Declaration form by required deadline.

The 2026 Test Declaration form will be available from 8:30 AM on May 1, 2026, until 4:00 PM CST on May 31, 2026.  
 
 

If you do not complete the Test Declaration Form by the deadline you will NOT be eligible to participate in the 2026 Promotional Process, therefore, your candidacy will not be considered for the 2026 or 2027 Promotional Certification Lists.  No exceptions will be made. 

 

Questions regarding the Promotional Process should be e-mailed to: promotions@ispmeritboard.org.

 

Published: February 5, 2026

STUDY GUIDE

 
The 2026 Study Guide will be published on July 1, 2026.
 
The study guide provides candidates with an overview of the written exam process and other helpful information.
 
The 2026 Study Guide will be available at: 

Promotional Process Log-In

username: 4-digit Star ID Number (####)
password: year, month, and date of birth (yyyymmdd)

 

E-mail promotions@ispmeritboard.org with any issues with log-in credentials. 

  

Published: February 5, 2026

ORIENTATION

 

The 2026 Candidate Orientation will be published on June 15 and will be available to candidates until 3:00 PM on July 10, 2026. 

The 2026 Orientation information is available at: 

Promotional Process Log-In

username: 4-digit Star ID Number (####)
password: year, month, and date of birth (yyyymmdd)

 

E-mail promotions@ispmeritboard.org with any issues with log-in credentials. 

  

Published: February 5, 2026

POST-TEST REVIEW 

 

The Illinois State Police Merit Board will offer candidates who participate in the 2026 Job Knowledge Exam the opportunity to participate in a Post-Test Review.  

2026 Post Test Review:
Tuesday, September 29, at 8:30 AM, until Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

 

The 2026 Post Test Review Form will be available here: POST TEST REVIEW
Username: four-digit ISP Star ID#
Password: year, month, date of birth (yyyymmdd)

 

E-mail promotions@ispmeritboard.org with any issues with log-in credentials. 

 

Published: February 5, 2026

REMOTE TESTING 

 

Candidates are required to take the Promotional Examination at the designated sites and times determined by the State Police Merit Board except for two deviations: military leave or department authorized training. 

 
If you qualify for either of these deviations, you may apply for Remote Testing by completing a Remote Testing Request Form. The form is available for download at the link below.  The form must be submitted prior to any test administration in order to be considered for remote testing and for proper arrangements to be made.  
 
Please fully complete, sign and date the form and e-mail it to promotions@ispmeritboard.org. All requests will be reviewed and each candidate will receive a decision in writing.