2026 Process Update

Promotional Process Update

Participation in the SPEAR P3 Ratings Process is no longer a requirement to be eligible to participate in the State Police Merit Board’s Promotional Testing Process. Moving forward, including the 2026 process, P3 rating scores will no longer be used in calculating final promotional test scores.

Previously, final promotional scores were calculated using three components: Job Knowledge Exam, Assessment Exercise, and P3 Rating score, which together comprised 95% of the final score. The remaining five points were awarded for seniority, calculated at 0.2 points for each month served in an officer’s current hard-rank.

Promotional certification scores will now be based solely on the Job Knowledge Exam score and Assessment Exercise results, which together comprise 95% of the final score. The calculation for seniority remains unchanged and has a maximum of five points.

Additionally, the Merit Board will utilize statewide certification lists for each rank, rather than work unit specific lists such as Troops, Zones, or regions. The top 65% of each statewide list will now be considered equally eligible for promotional consideration. These changes promote fairness and consistency by ensuring all candidates are held to the same certification score threshold, rather than varied thresholds based on list placement.

Important Dates

2026 Test Dates

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.

Reading Lists

2026 Reading Lists

The 2026 Reading List for each rank is linked below.

Directive Updates: ISP Directive SRV-017 was previously titled Personnel Early Warning System and is now listed as SRV-017 Resiliency Support System. ISP Directive ENF-051 was previously titled Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) / Law Enforcement Archival Retrieval Network (LEARN), and is now listed as ENF-051 Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR). SRV-017 Resiliency Support System and ENF-051 Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) will be utilized for the job knowledge examination.

All selected Compiled Statutes, Shift Briefings, and Law Bulletins are available through the promotional login using the candidate’s four-digit ISP Star ID number and date of birth password.

Candidate Access

Promotional Process Login

Certain promotional materials are available only to eligible candidates through the Promotional Process login.

Email promotions@ispmeritboard.org with any issues with login credentials.

Required Form

Test Declaration

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

It is no longer a requirement to participate in the SPEAR P3 ratings process to be eligible to participate in the Promotional Testing Process.

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

Candidate Materials

Study Guide, Orientation & Review

Remote Testing

Remote Testing Requests

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 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 email it to promotions@ispmeritboard.org. All requests will be reviewed and each candidate will receive a decision in writing.