ISP: State Troopers

Career Overview

Salary Benefits

Eligibility Requirements

Traditional Academy Initial Standards:

Must be a United States citizen.
Must be at least 21 and less than 40 years old when appointed as a Trooper.
Must meet a minimum vision standard (corrected or uncorrected) of 20/50 acuity in each eye and 20/50 distant binocular acuity in both eyes.
Must possess a valid driver's license to operate an automobile.
Must be willing, if appointed, to reside, and serve any place, within the state of Indiana, as designated by the Superintendent.
Must be a high school graduate as evidenced by a diploma or equivalency diploma issued by an accredited high school.
In addition to the high school requirements, must meet one of the additional requirements listed below:

Must have attained sixty (60) college credit hours from an accredited institution prior to the application deadline, bachelor’s degree preferred. Credit hours must be evidenced by a certified transcript.
Have completed or be currently serving with at least three (3) continuous years of military service and, if separated, must have received a favorable discharge.
Have a minimum of three (3) continuous years of full-time, paid, law enforcement experience (sworn or merit) having graduated from a state accredited police academy (entry level law enforcement basic training curriculum with a minimum of 600 training hours); in which the essential job functions were performed at a satisfactory or above level, as witnessed by the employer or documented by employee evaluations. The required three (3) years is determined by date of certification and does NOT include time prior to academy graduation.

Note: Paid law enforcement experience does not include employment as a reserve officer, special deputy, jailer or matron, radio operator, etc., even if these duties were performed as a sworn or merit officer; it includes only full time, paid employment as a sworn or merit officer performing true law enforcement functions.

Lateral Academy Initial Standards

Must be a United States citizen.
Must be at least 21 and less than 40 years of age, when appointed as a Trooper.
Must meet a minimum vision standard (corrected or uncorrected) of 20/50 acuity in each eye and 20/50 distant binocular acuity in both eyes.
Must possess a valid driver’s license to operate an automobile.
Must be a high school graduate as evidenced by a diploma or equivalency diploma issued by an accredited high school.
Factors that the Department will consider for placement into a lateral academy:

Probationary Troopers must be willing to be assigned to fill vacancies to meet the needs and best interests of the Department.
Must have a minimum of three (3) continuous years of full-time, paid law enforcement experience (sworn or merit) having graduated from a state accredited police academy (entry level law enforcement basic training curriculum with a minimum of 600 training hours), in which the essential job functions were performed at a satisfactory or above level, as witnessed by the employer or documented by employee evaluations.

Note: Paid law enforcement experience does not include: employment as a reserve officer, special deputy, jailer or matron, radio operator, etc. even if these duties were performed as a sworn or merit officer; it includes only full time, paid employment as a sworn or merit officer performing true law enforcement functions.

Applicants who are not actively employed as law enforcement officers at the time of application must not have been separated from law enforcement employment for more than two (2) years prior to the academy start date and must otherwise meet Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) requirements and applicable Training Board guidelines.
Non-Resident applicants graduating from a law enforcement academy outside the state of Indiana must complete the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy/Law Enforcement Training Board waiver process as determined by the Superintendent.

No exception will be made for anyone who does not meet all requirements. No applicant will be discriminated against with the respect to hire, tenure, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment or any matter directly or indirectly related to employment because of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry. The Indiana State Police adheres to all provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Department will endeavor to select, hire and retain the best qualified applicants available.

The Indiana State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates must meet minimum selection criteria and successfully complete the application and selection process prior to being granted a conditional offer of employment to attend the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy.

Indiana State Government is an E-Verify employer, and all new employees are required to have their employment eligibility verified through the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration. To remain in accordance with the law, the Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that we certify the identity and work eligibility of all new employees. Therefore, if hired, your presentation of proper documentation is required by the law. The Employment Eligibility form (Form I-9) and all other needed documentation can be found at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf. Please note that if you submit a document from list B of form I-9, this document must contain a photo ID to establish identity. All new employees must present the required documents in person, on your first day of employment.

Selection Process

Lateral Assessments

Military Benefits

Physical Ability Testing

Recruit Academy

Educational Opportunities with Indiana Tech

Find Your Recruiter

ISP CrossFit

Frequently Asked Questions

Becoming an Indiana State Police trooper is a big step - and a monumental challenge. It is understandable that many questions may arise in making such a decision. To make the process a bit easier, we have listed below several of the most common questions asked by potential recruits. If you do not find your question here, please feel free to contact your ISP Recruiter:

Indiana State Police Recruit Academy Selection Process

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question 1: How do I become an Indiana State Trooper?

Answer 1: All applicants must complete the online Trooper Application, in its entirety.

Question 2 : What are the requirements to become an Indiana State Trooper?

Answer 2: Traditional Academy Initial Standards:

Must be a United States citizen.
Must be at least 21 and less than 40 years old when appointed as a Trooper.
Must meet a minimum vision standard (corrected or uncorrected) of 20/50 acuity in each eye and 20/50 distant binocular acuity in both eyes.
Must possess a valid driver's license to operate an automobile.
Must be willing, if appointed, to reside, and serve any place, within the state of Indiana, as designated by the Superintendent.
Must be a high school graduate as evidenced by a diploma or equivalency diploma issued by an accredited high school.
In addition to the high school requirements, must meet one of the additional requirements listed below:

Must have attained sixty (60) college credit hours from an accredited institution prior to the application deadline, bachelor’s degree preferred. Credit hours must be evidenced by a certified transcript.
Have completed or be currently serving with at least three (3) continuous years of military service and, if separated, must have received a favorable discharge.
Must have a minimum of three (3) continuous years of full-time, paid law enforcement experience (sworn or merit) having graduated from a state accredited police academy (entry level law enforcement basic training curriculum with a minimum of 600 training hours), in which the essential job functions were performed at a satisfactory or above level, as witnessed by the employer or documented by employee evaluations.

Note: Qualifying law enforcement experience includes only full-time, paid employment as a sworn or merit officer performing law enforcement functions. Employment as a reserve officer, special deputy, jailer or matron, radio operator, or other non-full-time law enforcement position shall not be considered qualifying experience toward the required three (3) years of service.

Applicants who are not actively employed as law enforcement officers at the time of application must not have been separated from law enforcement employment for more than two (2) years prior to the academy start date and must otherwise meet Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) requirements and applicable Training Board guidelines.
Non-Resident applicants graduating from a law enforcement academy outside the state of Indiana must complete the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy/Law Enforcement Training Board waiver process as determined by the Superintendent.

No exception will be made for anyone who does not meet all requirements.

Question 3: Can I have tattoos/body modifications?

Answer 3: Tattoo's and Mutilations:

Mutilation: For the purposes of Regulation 6, the definition of mutilation is the purposeful, knowing or intentional disfigurement, modification or alteration of one’s natural appearance which could bring discredit upon the Department, or create a non-uniform appearance which might hinder the Department esprit de corps. Such mutilations may include, but are not limited to brands, ear gauges, nose gauges, facial piercing, tongue trimming, tongue splitting, tongue studs, cranium cosmetic implants or any other implant that does not project an anthropomorphic appearance.

All Sworn, Capitol Police Section and Motor Carrier Inspector employees are prohibited from:

Having any tattoo or mutilation on the head, neck or hands except:

Employees may display a ring tattoo on the fourth finger of the left hand between the metacarpophalangeal joint (knuckle joint) and the proximal interphalangeal joint (first joint closest to the knuckle joint).
A ring tattoo shall be a solid band or shall be covered by a ring or silicone band, if not solid.

Exposing any tattoo or mutilation which can be seen:

at any time while wearing the issued short-sleeve uniform shirt; or
while wearing the long-sleeve uniform shirt with one’s arms extended straight downward in a position of Attention.

Exposing any tattoo or mutilation which can be seen while wearing non-uniform attire for those Department personnel who are not required to wear the issued Department uniform.
Exposing any tattoo or mutilation while on duty or while operating a Department commission. This includes exposing any tattoo or mutilation while wearing non-uniform attire to any Department training, meetings or any other Department function (Firearms, Control Tactics, post meetings etc.).

Question 4: What does the ISP Selection Process consist of?

Answer 4: The selection process requires the successful completion of:

A written examination, physical abilities test, structured oral interview, polygraph examination, background investigation, medical, and psychological examination.
22-26 weeks of an intensive para-military style training academy.

Note: Successful applicants are required to sign two documents during the selection process. The two documents are the Terms of Employment and the Conditional Offer of Employment.

Terms of Employment: A document indicating you will notify the Department of any changes that have occurred since your background investigation was completed (employment, marital status, place of residence, dependents, contact with law enforcement, etc.).
Conditional Offer of Employment: A document indicating you will be invited to attend the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy after successful completion of the Department’s medical examination, psychological examination, and toxicology screening. You should not make any financial-related decisions based solely on the Conditional Offer of Employment until after being notified you have passed the medical and psychological examinations and toxicology screening.

Question 5: What can I expect on the written examination? How can I prepare for the written examination?

Answer 5: The Written Examination is conducted to evaluate the applicant‘s current academic level. To prepare for the written examination, it is encouraged that an applicant use any of the SAT/ACT study websites or Police Exam Study Guides commercially available.

The written examination covers the following subject areas:

Vocabulary: These questions test your knowledge of the most accurate definition of the word provided.
Language Skills: These questions test your ability to use proper punctuation and sentence structure.
Spatial Relationships: These questions test your ability to appropriately read a map diagram and answer questions related to it.
Math Reasoning: These questions test your knowledge of basic mathematics (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).
Study Guide: These questions are related to the information contained in the study guide prior to the start of the test. These questions will test your ability to recall information contained in reading materials and your ability to recall information viewed in photographs.

An overview of the Written Examination can be found at the following link: Written Examination Study Guide. The outline is intended to provide guidance on what you will learn during the study session and what to look for in the actual examination. There are no example questions within the linked document. You will receive the actual study material on the day that you are assigned to take your Written Examination. You will be allowed to use a basic functioning calculator for the math section of the written examination.

Question 6: Is the physical ability test pass/fail?

Answer 6: Yes. All applicants must meet the exit standards that are posted at the following link: Physical Ability Training in order to remain in the selection process. Those applicants meeting the standards will be allowed to continue in the selection process. Those applicants who well-exceed the standards will receive favorable consideration for placement into the Recruit Academy during the final selections.

Question 7: How will I be trained at the Recruit Academy?

Answer 7: Prospective Troopers receive approximately 22-26 weeks of intensive training at the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. The curriculum is divided into several major disciplines. These disciplines include criminal law, traffic law, crash investigations, defensive tactics, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, mechanics of arrest, field sobriety testing, crime scene investigations, interviews/interrogations, report writing, verbal judo, Spanish for law enforcement, first-aid and numerous other courses of instruction.

Question 8: If a person is already a sworn police officer in Indiana or another state, do you still have to complete the entire training and graduate from the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy to become an Indiana State Trooper?

Answer 8: No, Lateral Officers with at least three continuous years of merit full-time law enforcement service as of January 18, 2026, will be eligible to participate in the nine-week lateral academy (Monday – Thursday). The academy will convene on Sunday, January 18, 2026, and conclude Thursday, March 19, 2026. There will be a fourteen-week FTO period following graduation.

Question 9: Can a waiver be obtained for the maximum age of 40 due to prior military service or law enforcement experience?

Answer 9: No. Indiana Code 10-11-2-10 and Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) 240 stipulate applicants must be appointed (graduate the academy) prior to their 40th birthday. There are no exceptions or waivers.

Question 10: Is there a fee to attend the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy? What are the salary and benefits for a cadet in training and for a Trooper upon graduation?

Answer 10: There is no fee to attend the Academy. During academy training, Recruits receive $2,692.31 bi-weekly as a Trooper Trainee. At the completion of academy training, the annual Probationary Trooper salary is $70,000. Visit our “Salary and Benefits” tab for more information about health and retirement benefits available to recruits at the following link: Salary and Benefits. The current pay matrix for sworn employees is available at the following link: Trooper Matrix - Effective July 2023.

Question 11: How are District assignments determined upon graduation?

Answer 11: Near the completion of the academy training, Trooper Trainees will be given an opportunity to submit a "wish list" of their district assignment preferences. The Superintendent and his staff will take these requests under advisement as well as the field openings and the needs of the Department when making district assignments. All applicants must be willing to reside anywhere within the State of Indiana upon being appointed. See the minimum eligibility requirements provided for.

Question 12: What is the residency requirement once I am assigned to a District?

Answer 12: ISP police employees assigned a particular geographical work area must reside within the following geographical boundaries served by the assignment:

Personnel assigned to a District shall live within the District or an adjoining county in which the District facility is located. EXAMPLE: Indianapolis, District #52 is located in Marion County. ISP police employees living in Morgan County, which adjoins Marion County, would meet the residency requirements; and
District Commanders may require District enforcement personnel to reside in a specific county to meet the needs of the Department when the affected employee is:

Newly assigned (new hire or transfer*) to the District; or
When an employee requests an inter-District transfer.

Question 13: Can I go home during the week, have visitors or receive telephone calls while I am in the academy?

Answer 13: The Indiana State Police Recruit Academy is a resident academy Monday through Friday. Liberty may be granted and Recruits may make telephone calls when authorized by the Academy Command Staff. Liberty is not guaranteed and is earned based on class performance. In emergency situations, special permission to make telephone calls may be granted by the Academy Commander. During all other times, Recruits will not be permitted to have visitors of a non-emergency nature.

Question 14: Since the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy is a resident academy, when will my time off begin?

Answer 14: Your time off will begin at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Friday evening and will conclude at 7:00 a.m. Monday morning. You may return to the academy on Sunday evening as directed by the Academy Staff, usually between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., or on Monday morning between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. You must sign “in” and “out” of the academy for liberty and time off throughout your training period. Reporting times may vary based on training needs, but you will be notified in advance of such changes. Free time may be available during this time period.

Because of the intense training schedule, all Recruits will generally be confined to the Recruit Academy complex from 7:00 a.m. Monday until Friday evening, except for times when liberty is granted. Training may be conducted away from the academy complex.

Question 15: Is a college education required?

Answer 15: In addition to the high school requirements, must meet one of the additional requirements listed below:

Must have attained sixty (60) college credit hours from an accredited institution prior to the application deadline, bachelor’s degree preferred. Credit hours must be evidenced by a certified transcript.
Have completed or be currently serving with at least three (3) continuous years of military service and, if separated, must have received a favorable discharge. Must have a minimum of three (3) continuous years of full-time, paid law enforcement experience (sworn or merit) having graduated from a state accredited police academy (entry level law enforcement basic training curriculum with a minimum of 600 training hours), in which the essential job functions were performed at a satisfactory or above level, as witnessed by the employer or documented by employee evaluations.

Note: Qualifying law enforcement experience includes only full-time, paid employment as a sworn or merit officer performing law enforcement functions. Employment as a reserve officer, special deputy, jailer or matron, radio operator, or other non-full-time law enforcement position shall not be considered qualifying experience toward the required three (3) years of service.

Applicants who are not actively employed as law enforcement officers at the time of application must not have been separated from law enforcement employment for more than two (2) years prior to the academy start date and must otherwise meet Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) requirements and applicable Training Board guidelines.
Non-Resident applicants graduating from a law enforcement academy outside the state of Indiana must complete the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy/Law Enforcement Training Board waiver process as determined by the Superintendent.

Question 16: Do you earn college credits while attending the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy?

Answer 16: Troopers who graduate from the academy may receive credit towards a degree in Criminal Justice from various colleges/universities throughout Indiana. The number of transferable credit hours will be up to each individual college or university. Vincennes University, for example, offers college credit hours for completing the Recruit Academy and additional college credits with documented full-time police experience. Indiana Tech also has a robust program allowing Recruits to earn up to 51 credit hours while in the Academy. You may view the Indiana Tech program at the following link https://cps.indianatech.edu/indiana-state-police.

Question 17: Do you have an internship program?

Answer 17: Yes. Refer to the “Internship” tab under Career Opportunities at the following link: Internship Program

Question 18: Does the Indiana State Police offer a Ride-Along program?

Answer 18: Yes. The Ride-Along program is an informational experience that places prospective applicants with a working Trooper for a pre-selected amount of time. The participants will observe the Trooper’s operations to help them better understand police practices and aspects of traffic safety while assisting them in making an informed decision about a potential career. If interested in the Ride-Along program, contact your Recruiter:

Question 19: Does my military credit count toward my final exam score for entrance into the academy?

Answer 19: Although you will not receive credit per se for prior military service, the Indiana State Police does look for well-rounded applicants (life experience, military experience, work experience, education, etc.) to attend the academy. Military experience is a desirable employment history the Indiana State Police considers.

Question 20: I was in the military/prior to law enforcement. Can I apply my military/prior law enforcement time to my retirement with the Indiana State Police?

Answer 20: You may purchase your years of military service and/or prior full-time, paid law enforcement experience within Indiana to count toward your years of service. You should also remember you cannot be 40 years of age at the time of the appointment. Mandatory retirement occurs at age 65.

Question 21: Does the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy qualify for the G.I. Bill?

Answer 21: Yes. You will receive additional information on the first day of the Academy. You will be required to complete additional paperwork to receive this benefit. Your specific benefit will be determined by the Veterans Administration and will be based on your individual experiences while you served in the military.

Question 22: I am active military. When is the best time to apply?

Answer 22: The selection process takes approximately five months to complete. Military personnel are encouraged to apply while still on active duty if their estimated time of separation is on/before the Military Obligation Program (MOP) deadline (posted on the ISP Home page). Additional information on the MOP can be found at the following link: Military Obligation Program.

Question 23: What are the opportunities for advancement?

Answer 23: There are many advancement opportunities within the Indiana State Police. Every Trooper has the potential to rise through the ranks. All Troopers have the opportunity to participate in the promotional process, which consists of a written test and structured oral interview. Other factors considered for promotion include years of service, education, military service, and performance evaluations.

Question 24: What other career opportunities are available?

Answer 24: There are a wide variety of civilian support positions within the Indiana State Police. Included in these are Regional Dispatchers, Motor Carrier Inspectors, and Indiana State Capitol Police Officers. In addition, there are a number of civilian positions encompassing nearly every educational discipline. To view current professional staff employment opportunities within the Indiana State Police, please visit the following link: https://www.in.gov/isp/career-opportunities/professional-staff-opportunities/.

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