Pre-Employment Requirements

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:
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.
Option 4 No education needed if:
  • The applicant has been honorably discharged from the armed services of the United States after serving active military duty AND has been awarded at least one of the qualifying medals
  • The applicant is an active member of the Illinois National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces AND have been awarded at least one of the qualifying medals. Medals that qualify are as follows: Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal or Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.  Proof must be provided on a DD-214.
  • Have been honorably discharged who served in a combat mission by proof of hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay during deployment on active duty.
  • Have at least 3 years of full active and continuous military duty and received an honorable discharge before hiring.

* The equivalent coursework 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

* The college or university must be accredited by one of the following:

  • 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