Introduction
PLEASE NOTE: THE ONLINE APPLICATION DOES NOT FULLY SUPPORT MOBILE DEVICE USE.
The Maryland State Police Trooper application process will require you to access your online employment center account throughout your process. You must remember the username and password you create when you start your application.
Any questions or concerns regarding the Maryland State Police Trooper application and application process should be directed to Maryland State Police Recruitment and Selection Unit personnel at
msp.recruiting@maryland.gov.All email correspondence to MSP staff should utilize an appropriate subject line indicating the purpose of the email.
***The Maryland State Police Recruitment and Selection Unit would appreciate information regarding the success of its recruitment initiatives. Please complete and submit the Trooper Applicant Internet Survey.
GRADE
50
LOCATION OF POSITION
The position of Maryland State Police Trooper is a Statewide position. Troopers may be assigned and reassigned to any county within the State of Maryland.
To apply, you must be willing to work in any Maryland county.
*Please note, to apply, you DO NOT have to be a resident of Maryland. However, all applicants selected and hired for the position of Trooper will be required to be a resident of Maryland before graduation from the six (6) month MSP academy.
Main Purpose of Job
Maryland State Police offers a full range of police services to the residents of Maryland. The basic duties and responsibilities of every Maryland State Trooper include the following:
• Enforcing the criminal and motor vehicle laws of the State of Maryland
• Issuing traffic citations and warnings
• Investigating traffic accidents Investigating and completing criminal investigations
• Interviewing witnesses, victims and suspects
• Writing field reports
• Arresting and processing suspects
• Preparing cases for court and testifying in court
• Providing basic medical attention to ill and injured persons
POSITION DUTIES
Career Opportunities: Although no trooper candidate is selected for immediate entry into a specialized unit, the Maryland State Police offers a wide range of assignments for experienced Troopers. After graduation from the MSP academy, field training, and initial assignment to a field installation, Troopers may request a reassignment to a specialized unit, such as:
- Accident Reconstruction
- Automotive Safety Enforcement Division
- Aviation Command
- Canine Unit
- Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division
- Computer Crimes
- Crime Lab
- Criminal Investigations
- Dive Team
- Drug Enforcement
- Executive Protection
- Homeland Security
- Licensing Division
- S.T.A.T.E. Team (SWAT)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Every member of the Maryland State Police is held to the same standards. To be accepted into the application process, you must:
- Be a United States citizen (for more information regarding qualifications of US citizenship, please visit (http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship); or a Permanent Resident who has been honorably discharged from the United States Military Forces AND has applied for citizenship.
- Be at least 20 years of age but not older than 59.
- Possess a valid High School Diploma that is recognized by the State Board of Education or a GED (If you have a High School Diploma from a foreign country, you must have your diploma checked for equivalency. For more information, please visit (www.naces.org/members.htm.).
- Possess a valid Driver's License in any state, and have a satisfactory driving record. Please note your current driving record CAN NOT exceed 3 points. If you exceed this point requirement, please wait to apply until you are at or below three current points.
- Be eligible to obtain a Maryland Driver's License.
- Binocular far and near visual acuity, with or without correction, must be 20/20 or better.
- Meet the MSP standards of medical fitness.
- Have a good reputation and sound moral character.
- Not have any current court orders relating to domestic violence.
- Be truthful in every stage of the application process.
An individual is ineligible for initial certification as a trooper if the individual has illegally used a controlled dangerous substance or narcotic drug for any purpose within the three years before the application for certification (not including marijuana). All applicants must be abstinent from marijuana use within the preceding 12 months.
SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS
For information regarding Maryland State Police's Body Modification and Tattoo Policy, please visit http://mdsp.maryland.gov/Careers/Pages/BodyModificationandTattooPolicy.aspx
*The MSP currently allows the processing of trooper applicants who have full and partial tattoo "sleeves." Certain limitations do apply, including the requirement to wear the long-sleeve uniform shirt while on duty. The recruiting staff can determine if your tattoo(s) fall under this requirement during your processing.
SELECTION PROCESS
The entire Maryland State Police trooper application process generally takes six (6) months to complete. The application process is designed to help select those applicants who are most qualified. Below you will find an overview of the process.
Please note, that it is the goal of the Maryland State Police to hire applicants who possess the qualifications and the dedication to become a Maryland State Police Trooper. Please understand that if you successfully complete all phases of this process, you MAY receive a Final Offer of Employment. Trooper candidates are hired based on the needs of the Department. Successful completion of all phases of the hiring process does not guarantee a Final Offer of Employment.
- Completion of the initial section of the online application up to the indicated stop point
- Completion of an Applicant Orientation (virtual)
- Functional Fitness Assessment Test
- POST written examination
- Submission of the full application with required additional documentation
- Oral Interview
- Polygraph Examination
- Background Investigation
- Medical Testing
- Police Selection Committee
BENEFITS
The Maryland State Police offers a comprehensive compensation package for its Troopers. For more information on Maryland State Police Trooper's salary and benefits, please visit:https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Careers/Pages/StateTrooper.aspx
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
If you have any questions about this recruitment, please contact the Maryland State Police at 410-653-4281
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.
We thank our Veterans for their service to our country and encourage them to apply.
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.
Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
FAQs
Your test scores are valid for 4 years. To pass the exam you need to get a 70 or above on both the NYPD and New York State police exam.
Is the NY state trooper exam hard? ›
But being a trooper is no easy work. The test is pretty tough: A minimum performance score is required on each of the subtests and are scored in a pass/fail manner. The minimum physical fitness norms for hiring are included in a chart following the description of the subtests.
How long is the NYS Trooper exam? ›
The NYSP Entrance Examination is a two-hour test consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions to measure cognitive abilities, along with behavioral characteristics and attitudes. A comprehensive study guide for the exam is provided by the State Police.
How many people take the NY State Trooper exam? ›
After successful completion of all requirements, including a background investigation, candidates will then receive a Conditional Offer of Appointment to the position of New York State Trooper. During its most recent recruitment campaign which ended on October 1, 2023, 12,691 individuals applied to take the exam.
What is the cut off age for NYS police? ›
Must be appointed prior to 36th birthday, except the maximum age may be extended one year for each year of full-time active military duty - up to a maximum of 7 years. Must be a New York State resident and have a valid New York State driver's license at time of appointment.
What is the salary of a NYS trooper? ›
As of May 24, 2024, the average annual pay for a State Trooper in New York is $71,299 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $34.28 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,371/week or $5,941/month.
Is being a nys trooper a good job? ›
98% of New York State Police employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. Employees also rated New York State Police 3.7 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.6 for culture and values and 4.6 for career opportunities. What are the pros and cons of working at New York State Police?
Do you need to go to college to be a state trooper in NY? ›
Have a high school graduate or equivalency diploma, at time of application. College credits are required to be processed.
How many push-ups for police test? ›
Push-ups: Men - complete at least 15 push-ups in one minute. Women - complete at least 10 push-ups in one minute. Sit-ups: Men - complete at least 25 sit-ups in one minute. Women - complete at least 17 sit-ups in one minute.
What questions are on the NYS Trooper exam? ›
Specifically, the examination contains questions covering two broad areas: cognitive ability and personality attributes. It is important to note that the examination does not measure job knowledge or any specific skills that require specialized training.
Location: New York State Police Training Academy – Albany, NY Length: Basic School - 28 Weeks (1.095 hours); Advanced and In-Service - Various Program Objective: To provide participants with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to serve effectively at the entry level as a law enforcement officer in the State ...
What is the score range for the NYS exam? ›
Scale Scores range from 148 – 423. The percentile range is displayed in quartiles; it shows whether your child's performance falls in the bottom 25% (0-25%), between 26% and 50%, between 51% and 75%, or in the top 25% (76-100%) of all students in New York City in your child's grade level and on this test.
What is a good score on the civil service test in NY? ›
Typically, a score of 70% or above is good enough to pass. Your score places you on a ranking list, comparing you to others who have taken the exam. The better you do, the higher your rank, which can put you ahead of other applicants interested in civil service jobs.
What is a score in law enforcement? ›
The Police Written Exam that is best known for using the T-score is the PELLETB in California. A T-score is computed based upon a large number of test takers and looks like a bell-curve. A T-score of 50% means that you are “average.” A score of 60 or higher is considered “above average” and 40 is “below average.”
How long is NYS police training? ›
The Police Academy training lasts for approximately six months, during which recruits undergo intensive classroom instruction and physical training. The curriculum includes topics such as law, firearms training, defensive tactics, community policing, and emergency vehicle operation.
