The Illinois State Police Merit Board has set the following minimum requirements for persons applying for an Illinois State Trooper position:

1. An applicant must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age. (An applicant twenty (20) years of age may apply if the Option 4 education requirement is successfully met.)
2. An applicant cannot have been convicted of a felony.
3. An applicant must be a citizen of the United States.
4. An applicant must possess a valid driver’s license at the time of completing the application.
5. An applicant must be willing to accept an assignment anywhere in the State.
6. An applicant must have completed, with a C average or better, one of the following education requirements:

Option 1)	A Bachelor's Degree.
Option 2)	An Associate of Arts or Science Degree or equivalent course work* AND meet one of the following two job experience requirements: 3 consecutive years of continuous, full time service, as a police officer, with the same police agency OR three consecutive years of active military duty.
Option 3)	An Associate of Applied Science Degree, ONLY if the degree is in Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice AND meet one of the following two job experience requirements: 3 consecutive years of continuous, full time service, as a police officer, with the same police agency OR three consecutive years of active military duty.
	OR
Option 4)	NO education needed IF the applicant has been HONORABLY DISCHARGED from the military or naval services of the United States after serving active military duty AND has been awarded an AFGHAN or IRAQI CAMPAIGN MEDAL. PROOF MUST BE PROVIDED ON A DD-214.
* The equivalent course work option must meet the following criteria: 9 semester hours in Communication studies 9 semester hours in Social Science studies 6 semester hours in Natural Science studies 3 semester hours in Math studies 9 semester hours in Humanities studies 24 semester hours in other electives

Please note: the college or university must be accredited by one of the following associations:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Western Association of Schools and College