Selection Process - How to Become a Trooper
The selection process is job-related and competitive in nature. It is designed to determine a candidate's potential for successful performance in the NYSP Academy, and as a State Trooper. No prior police experience is required. The first step toward achieving your goal of becoming a State Trooper is the completion of our entrance exam application.
After applying, the complete selection process consists of a:
- Written Examination
Subsequent to passing the examination . . . - Physical Ability Test (PAT)
Subsequent to a conditional offer of appointment . . . - Psychological Evaluation
- Background Investigation and Polygraph Test
- Medical Examination
Candidates who appear for further processing will be subject to drug screening at various phases of the selection process.
Eligibility List
Following administration of the written examination, an eligibility list will be established which will remain in effect for a minimum of one year and a maximum of four years. Candidates will be ranked in order of written scores, plus any applicable veteran's credit.
As new trooper positions are authorized, sufficient candidates from the eligibility list will be notified to appear for processing through the remaining phases of the selection procedure.
Candidate Processing Weekend
Candidate processing is typically conducted during a weekend at the New York State Police Academy, in Albany, NY, approximately six months prior to the start of an Academy class.
During candidate processing weekend, candidates will participate in a series of testing and review phases that may include, but are not limited to: college transcript review; physical ability test; vision test; hearing test; fingerprinting; and document review (background questionnaire, driver's license, birth certificate, military records, etc.).
Physical Ability Test
The Trooper Candidate Physical Ability Test (PAT) is typically conducted on a Saturday during a Candidate Processing Weekend, about six months prior to the beginning of a NYSP Academy class.
The test measures a candidate's ability to fulfill the essential job functions of the position. The candidate must perform three (3) physical tests, each which are evaluated on a pass-fail basis.
Candidates are invited to participate in the PAT portion of the selection process according to their rank based upon the score they achieved on the written examination.
Conditional Offer of Appointment
Candidates who successfully complete the Physical Ability Test are offered an appointment to the position of NYS Trooper, which is conditional upon:
- The successful completion of the Medical examination.
- Completion of a background investigation.
- The number of potential vacancies.
Psychological Evaluation
The Psychological Evaluation, given to candidates who successfully complete the Physical Ability Test, consists of:
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A written test: A written psychological evaluation which is typically administered on the Sunday of the processing weekend.
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A psychological interview: The interviews are conducted at various locations throughout the state in the months following a processing weekend. Candidates schedule their appointments with NYSP Psychologists during the processing weekend.
Background Investigation and Polygraph Examination
To help determine character and fitness and to verify information provided by the applicant, each potential appointee will be the subject of:
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A thorough background investigation: Applicants must authorize access to educational, financial, employment, and criminal history records. Family, neighbors, associates, and others will be interviewed. Derogatory information will be evaluated and may result in disqualification.
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A Polygraph examination: Examinations are conducted at various locations statewide subsequent to processing weekend.
Candidates who receive a satisfactory evaluation on the background investigation and meet all other administrative requirements will be considered eligible for appointment.
Medical Examination
Approximately one month prior to appointment to an Academy class, medical examinations will be conducted at the New York State Police Academy in Albany, NY, by a NYSP Division Physician. Each potential appointee will be required to authorize access to mental health records.
The Division Physician will examine the candidate's medical condition and general ability to perform the essential related job functions. Elements of the examination involve candidates hearing, dental condition, height/weight proportions and visual acuity.
If the Division Physician should recommend that a candidate is unable to perform the essential functions of the position, the conditional offer of appointment may be revoked by the Superintendent and the candidate will be disqualified.
The selection process has been developed through analysis of the Trooper position.
