To become a state trooper, you apply to your state police or highway patrol, meet its minimum age (usually 21, sometimes 20) and education rules (a high school diploma or GED in most states), pass a fitness test, written exam, background check, polygraph, medical and psychological exams, then graduate from a live-in academy that runs 17 to 26 weeks in the states I checked. Every state sets its own rules, so read your own state's requirements page first.
There's no national trooper standard. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says police candidates usually must be at least 21 and graduate from their agency's academy, but the details come from each state. I read four official state pages on 26 October 2026 so you can see how much they differ.
Trooper requirements in four states
| State | Age | Education | Academy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | Not stated on the page I read | High school transcripts or GED test scores required | 26 weeks in Sykesville, living on site Monday to Friday |
| Tennessee | At least 21 | High school education recognized by a state Department of Education | 17 weeks, on campus (lateral class up to 11 weeks) |
| New Hampshire | Not stated on the page I read | Associate degree or 60 credits, or a diploma or GED plus 2 years as a certified officer or in the military | Not stated on the page I read |
| Maine | 21, or 20 with 60 college credits, before the academy | High school diploma or GED | Basic Law Enforcement Training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy |
New Hampshire is the one that catches people out: a diploma alone isn't enough there unless you also have two years of police or military service. If you've got neither, you'll need an associate degree or 60 college credits.
The hiring process, step by step
- Check your state's minimum qualifications. Age, education, a valid driver's license and a clean record are the usual basics.
- Apply online. Maryland, for example, starts with an online application and a virtual orientation for applicants who advance.
- Pass the fitness test. Maryland scores a 1.5-mile run, sit-ups and push-ups and needs at least 16 points in total. Tennessee uses a timed physical agility test.
- Pass the written exam. Maryland uses the National Police Officer Selection Test, covering maths, reading comprehension, grammar and report writing.
- Get through the oral board, polygraph and background check. Tennessee's background check covers criminal records, driving history, credit, education, military service and past jobs.
- Pass medical and psychological exams. Tennessee includes a drug screen and vision rules: uncorrected no worse than 20/100, corrected to 20/20 in one eye, and no color blindness.
- Graduate from the academy. Expect military-style training. Maryland recruits also earn 45 college credits during the 26 weeks, and train in emergency driving and firearms.
The Maryland fitness test in numbers
If you want to know what a state fitness test looks like, Maryland publishes its scoring chart. You need at least 16 points across the three events, and higher totals help you compete for an academy place:
| Level | 1.5-mile run | Sit-ups | Push-ups | Points per event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elite | Under 12:00 | 40 or more | 35 or more | 10 |
| Strong | 12:00 to 13:59 | 32 to 39 | 25 to 34 | 8 |
| Average | 14:00 to 16:00 | 27 to 31 | 18 to 24 | 6 |
| Below average | 16:01 to 18:01 | 21 to 26 | 13 to 17 | 4 |
Three average scores get you 18 points, which passes, but Maryland's selection committee then ranks applicants as best, better, qualified or not qualified, and only the top three groups compete for academy classes. Military applicants must start the process at least six months before their separation date, and applicants with prior police experience still complete the whole Maryland academy.
What disqualifies you
Read your state's disqualifier list before you pay for fitness coaching or test prep. Tennessee's background check covers credit, driving history, education, military service and past jobs as well as criminal records, so in my view it's smarter to raise an old problem with a recruiter early than to hope it won't come up in the polygraph.
Tennessee spells it out: no felony convictions and no conviction for a misdemeanor of moral turpitude, which it defines as force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor (including DUI) or controlled substances. Maryland's whole process generally takes 3 to 5 months, so a DUI from years ago is something to raise early rather than hope nobody finds.
Pay and outlook
BLS put the median wage for police and sheriff's patrol officers at $76,210 in May 2025, and $77,310 for police and detectives overall, as of October 2026. Overall employment is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, with about 60,100 openings a year. Trooper pay is set by each state, so check your state's salary page before you apply.
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Trooper, police officer or sheriff's deputy?
| Role | Who hires you | Where you work |
|---|---|---|
| State trooper | State police or highway patrol | Statewide, often highways and rural areas |
| Police officer | City or town police department | Within city limits |
| Sheriff's deputy | County sheriff's office | County |
If investigation appeals more than patrol, see how to become a detective, and if you'd rather work federal cases, read how to become a US marshal.
My verdict
State trooper is a solid career if you're fit, clean and willing to move anywhere in your state, because Tennessee, for one, gives you your duty assignment after the academy. Don't waste months on a generic police course: read your own state's minimum qualifications page, train for its exact fitness test, and if you're in a state like New Hampshire, sort the college credits first.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to be a state trooper?
It depends on the state. Tennessee requires at least 21, and Maine accepts 21, or 20 with 60 college credits, before the academy.
Do you need a degree to be a state trooper?
Usually not. Most states accept a high school diploma or GED, but New Hampshire needs an associate degree or 60 credits unless you also have 2 years of police or military service.
How long is state trooper academy?
In the states I checked, Tennessee runs 17 weeks and Maryland 26 weeks, both live-in.
What disqualifies you from being a state trooper?
Felony convictions disqualify you, and Tennessee also bars misdemeanors of moral turpitude such as theft, violence, DUI or drug offenses.
