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. Applicant must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age. 
    • An applicant twenty (20) years of age may apply if they have successfully completed an associate’s degree or 60 credit hours at an accredited college or university.
  2. Applicant cannot have been convicted of a felony.
  3. Applicant must be a citizen of the United States.
  4. Applicant must possess a valid driver’s license at the time of completing the application.
  5. Applicant must be willing to accept an assignment anywhere in the State.
  6. Applicant must have completed, with a C average or better, one of the following education requirements:

Education Requirements

  Option 1

  Associate's degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university 

  Option 2   

  No education needed if applicant meets one of the following:

  • Honorably discharged AND has been awarded at least one of the qualifying medals by the United States Armed Forces . Proof must be provided on a DD-214.
  • 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 as a result of honorable service during deployment on active duty. Proof must be provided on a DD-214.
  • Honorably discharged AND served in a combat mission by proof of hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay during deployment on active duty. Proof must be provided on a DD-214.
  • Have at least 3 years of full active and continuous military duty and received an honorable discharge before hiring. Proof must be provided on a DD-214

College or university must be accredited by one of the following:

  •  Middle States Commission on Higher Education 
  •  Higher Learning Commission
  •  New England Commission of Higher Education
  •  Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  •  Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on   Colleges
  •  WASC Senior College and University Commission
  •  Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges

 


Qualifying Military Medals:

  • Southwest Asia Service Medal
  • Kosovo Campaign Medal
  • Korean Defense Service Medal
  • Afghanistan Campaign Medal
  • Iraq Campaign Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal