page updated:
08/14/07

How do I become a trooper?

To become an Ohio trooper may begin by contacting a local Patrol post or the Patrol's Recruitment Office to submit an application. Information can also be sent through the Ohio Needs You! Web site. Prospective troopers are subjected to an extensive testing process before receiving final acceptance to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Once placed into an Academy Class, a cadet will undertake a seven-month training process which requires the individual to live at the Academy. Those successfully completing all steps and the training process will be appointed to the rank of trooper.

The pre-requirements for consideration are:

• Must have a high school diploma or GED;
• Must be a U.S. Citizen;
• Must be a resident of Ohio (may be waived);
• Must have a valid driver license;
• Must be a minimum of 20 years of age and must be able to complete processing and enter an Academy Class before reaching the 35th birthday.

The processing requirements include successful completion of:

• A three-hour written entrance exam;
• A four to six-month application process which includes a background and polygraph examination, a medical examination, a physical fitness evaluation, a physical fitness examination, and a psychological evaluation.;
• A 29 weeks of intensive Academy training.

Is a college education required?

A college education is not required to be considered for a trooper position.

Prospective troopers receive 29 weeks of intensive training at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy. The curriculum is divided into 14 major disciplines: Administration; Intro to Highway Patrol; Crash Investigation and Enforcement; Patrol Car Operations; Police Technique and Procedures; Investigation; Criminal Law, Evidence, and Procedure; Motor Vehicle Laws; Human Behavior; Firearms; Civil Disorders; Officer Safety; First Aid; and Human Diversity.

Yes, all Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers are required to successfully complete the Patrol's Academy training.

How do I apply?

Contact a local Patrol Post or the Patrol's Recruitment Office (614) 466-6019 (EXT-4) to obtain an application or sumbit your contact information online - Ohio Needs You! Web site

There are many advancement opportunities within the Patrol. Every new trooper has the potential to rise through the ranks, all the way to the rank of Colonel. All troopers have the opportunity to participate in the promotional process, which is conducted through a written test and a series of assessment center exercises which simulate real-life scenarios. Afterwards, the candidate is evaluated on knowledge, skill, and his/her reflection of the Patrol's Core Values.

How do I become an Ohio State Highway Patrol Auxiliary Officer?

Interested individuals should contact their nearest Patrol post to begin the Auxiliary application process.

There are a wide variety of support positions within the Patrol. Included in these are: dispatchers, driver examiners, motor vehicle inspectors, load limit inspectors, motor carrier enforcement officers, and police officers. In addition, there are a number of civilian positions encompassing nearly every educational discipline.

To check current employment opportunities within the Patrol and other areas of state government, visit the State of Ohio Job Search Web Page.

What are the salary and benefits for a cadet in training and for a trooper upon graduation?

State Trooper Benefit Sheet

Can a waiver be obtained for the maximum age of 34 due to prior military service or law enforcement experience?

Answer: The Ohio Revised Code 5503.02 stipulates that applicants must enter academy training prior to their 35th birthday. There are no exceptions or waiver.

If a person is already a police officer in Ohio or another state, do you still have to complete training and graduate from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy to become a state trooper?

The answer is yes. Every applicant whether already a police officer or not and wishes to be an Ohio State Trooper must complete the training at the Ohio state Highway Patrol Academy as part of an academy Class. Lateral entries from other states are not accepted.

Does my military credit count toward my final exam score for entrance into the academy?

Prior military service is counted toward the Civil Service Examination which is administered to all cadet trainees prior to graduation from the academy. The entrance examination is a separate exam that does not recognize military service, or college, ECT.

How are assignments determined upon graduation?

By the last four weeks of training, cadet trainees will be aware of his/her post assignment as determined by the Division. Assignments are based on field post openings. Each member of the cadet class will be given the opportunity to select five assignments from a list of available openings throughout the state. Although they will not be guaranteed one of the five listed, the Division takes their requests into consideration along with any extenuating circumstances they may have.

When I am in the academy can I go home during the week, have visitors, and receive telephone calls?

Liberty may be granted after phase one of training. Liberty is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. Cadets may also have friends visit in the main lobby of the academy and make telephone calls during liberty. Liberty is not guaranteed and is earned based upon class performance.

During all other times, you will not be permitted to make or receive telephone calls of a non-emergency nature. In emergency situations special permission to make telephone calls may be granted by the Academy Commandant.

Since the highway patrol academy is a live-in academy, when will my time off begin?

Your time off will begin at approximately 6 p.m. on Friday evening and will conclude at 7:30 a.m. Monday morning. You may return to the academy on Sunday evening between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. or Monday morning between 6 a.m. and 7 am. You must sign “in” and “out” of the academy for liberty and time off throughout your training period.

Because of the intense training schedule all recruits will be confined to the academy complex from 7:30 a.m. Monday until Friday evening except for Wednesday night liberty. Free time will be available during this time period, and you must learn to use it wisely.

For those individuals who have set the goal of becoming a state trooper and who are not 21 years of age and have decided to further their education, what major should they select?

The Ohio State Highway Patrol encourages their officers to further their education beyond high school. It is not necessary criminal justice be selected as a major. Many officers elect to pursue a degree in a management field in anticipation of pursuing advancement within the Division. It may be beneficial to pursue a particular trade that may be of interest to you.

Enlistment into one of the Branches of the United States Military is also an option that may be considered. The training program that is experienced while attending the Ohio State Highway Patrol, although not exactly emulating military style “boot camps”, is a para-military academy teaching both core values and recognizing rank structure and protocol. Prior military experience can be beneficial in adjusting to the para-military atmosphere at the academy.

Upon completion of the academy, the newly appointed trooper may enroll in a college program through Columbus State Community College. This program will award 41 college quarter hours towards an associates degree in criminal justice on condition of further participation in completion of college classes through Columbus State. This opportunity will be explained further upon acceptance and entrance into the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy.

It is also important to know that tuition reimbursement is available to all troopers who desire to further their education. The course of study must be through an institution that is authorized by the Ohio Board of regents or is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Prior approval must be received before the start of the course and the course work must be job-related or related to a higher-level position within the Division.