Requirements

Must be:

United States citizen        Resident of Ohio (may be waived during application process)              

20 to 34 years of age           Valid drivers license         High school diploma or GED                                                                    

Processing Requirements

Complete a pre-physical evaluation, physical fitness assessment and entrance process.

Complete a 4-6 month application process including a pre-employment polygraph examination, a background investigation, a medical examination, a physical fitness evaluation and assessment, and a psychological assessment.

Complete nearly 7 months of intensive academy training, Trainees are paid $18.66/hr. and receive benefits while in training.  Trainees reside at the Academy 24hrs/day and 5 days/week.

Applicant Processing Steps

Applying for an interview for the position of Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper is the first step in the employment process.

After your application is received you will be expected to successfully complete a series of assessments and to pass a thorough screening process.  You will be notified of dates, times and locations where you must appear to fulfill these requirements.

Detailed explanations of these assessments and the screening procedures are included below.

You will be given notice of your acceptance or disqualification for training as soon as possible after completion of the application process.

Preliminary Screening:

Once you complete an application and it has been received by the Recruitment Section, you will be scheduled for the entrance examination.  Along with the written notification of the date, time and location of testing, you will receive the information about our vision and weight requirements.  All applicants must have a vision specialist complete an Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) Vision Specialist's Report.  If your weight exceeds OSHP weight requirements, you must have your percent of body fat determined by a trained professional in performing body composition analysis.  It will then be necessary for you to bring this completed Vision Specialist's Report and/or Body Composition Analysis with you when you report for the entrance examination. 

Upon appearing for the Multi-Domain Assessment, you will be weighed and measured to determine if you fall within the Division's weight standards.  Your completed body fat composition analysis report will also be reviewed for compliance.  If your weight does not fall within the Division’s weight standards, and you do not bring a Body Fat Composition Analysis with you, you will not be permitted to continue. If you do not bring a completed OSHP Vision Specialist's Report with you, you will not be permitted to take the exam.  You must have uncorrected vision no worse than 20/125 in each eye separately, correctable to 20/20 monocular vision. If your vision is worse than 20/125, you will be instructed regarding your options and you will not be permitted to continue. If your vision does not meet standards, you should call our office at 614-466-6019 or 1-866 TROOPER to cancel your examination and find out what your options are.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has an appearance standards policy that includes information to address tattoos and body art.  The policy reads: Tattoos or body art shall not be visible while in uniform. Applicants who have tattoos or body art that fit these criteria will be required to have them removed in order to continue in the application process.

Physical Fitness Assessment:

The Physical Fitness Assessment consists of four areas of testing; an endurance test, timed push-ups, timed sit-ups and grip strength. Applicants will be required to provide a release signed by a medical doctor releasing the applicant for physical activity.

Endurance Test

You will be required to run the entire length of a one and one-half mile course. This is a timed event.  Time allowed is based on Aerobics Institute's thirtieth (30%) percentile, based on age and gender.

Males               1.5 mile run                             Females          1.5 mile run
20-29               13:08                                      20-29              15:56
30+                  13:48                                      30+                 16:46

One Minute Timed Push-ups and Sit-ups. Each applicant will be given one minute per exercise to complete as many push-ups and sit-ups possible.

Males                          Push-Ups        Sit-Ups

20-29                                26                 35
30+                                   20                 32

Females                      Push-Ups        Sit-Ups

20-29                                 13                  30
30+                                      9                  22

Grip Strength Exercise (Administered at the second Fitness Assessment)

You will be required to pull the trigger of a Highway Patrol issued .40 caliber Sig Sauer Arms, Model P226, semi-automatic pistol a total of 71 times in a designated sequence.

A three-inch ring will be positioned at shoulder level within arms reach. You will be required to pull the trigger, as instructed, while the barrel extends through the ring.

The sequence is as follows:

* You must work the pistol action as instructed.

The trigger pull of the model P226 is approximately 9 ½ pounds.

Upon successful completion of the physical fitness assessment, you will be required to complete the Multi Domain Assessment the same day.

Multi-Domain Assessment:

The Multi Domain Assessment utilizes two different assessment techniques to derive data from three domains.

The Preliminary Screener examines three rating areas:

The first part of the assessment is a written evaluation of Cognitive/Educational potential and Interpersonal/Interactive ability.  Once you complete the written portion, you will be given instructions on how to log-on and complete the on-line Personal History Questionnaire.  Both steps must be completed to be eligible for consideration.

Preliminary Qualification Appraisal:

Applicants who are selected for processing will be required to undergo a pre-employment polygraph examination.

Questions asked during the pre-employment polygraph examination will be taken from your completed Personal History Questionnaire, as well as the initial interview with the polygraph operator. Refusal to take the polygraph examination when requested will result in the rejection of your application.

Initial Screening Committee Review:

The polygraph operator will write a report based on the admissions, omissions and the overall polygraph interview. The polygraph reports are furnished to a Screening Committee which will review the information and make an initial determination as to your suitability to proceed in the application process.

Conditional Offer of Employment:

Upon approval by the Screening Committee, you will be given a conditional offer of employment.  You must acknowledge the conditions set forth in the offer prior to progressing to the background investigation phase

Background Investigation:

Ohio State Highway Patrol investigators will conduct a complete and thorough investigation of your background to determine your suitability for employment as an Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper.

Your family, friends, neighbors, present and former employers, fellow employees, school officials, physicians, firms with which you have done business, courts and local law enforcement agencies, etc. will be contacted as part of this investigation. An in-depth interview will be held with you at a location of the investigator’s choosing.

The following occurrences in your background could result in rejection of your application:

Answering yes to any of the questions presented above will NOT result in the rejection of your application at this time.  However, if you decide to continue with the selection process, your application will likely be rejected after an official review of your application packet by the Highway Patrol Screening Committee.  You may decide to either continue processing and be rejected at that time, or you may voluntarily withdraw from the selection process by notifying a Recruitment officer.  This is not an all inclusive list, as there may be other reasons your application could be rejected.

Secondary Screening Committee Review:

The completed background investigation will be presented to the Screening Committee which will review the information and make a determination of your qualifications for employment as an Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper.

Medical Examination:

A complete medical examination will be conducted by a licensed physician of the Ohio State Highway Patrol to determine your fitness to perform the duties of a state trooper. 

Applicants will be required to meet the basic requirements as outlined.

Weight shall be in proportion to height in accordance with established standards.

Vision requirements will be based in part on visual acuity and color perception.  An applicant must have uncorrected vision no worse than 20/125 in each eye, correctable to 20/20 monocular vision.  Moderate color vision is required.

Applicants wearing corrective lenses will be required to submit a current OSHP Vision Specialist's Report at the time of the medical examination.  The applicant must have been tested within one year of the medical examination date.

There are other physical, medical, and psychological conditions, which could affect your application.

You may be required to furnish additional information from your personal physician or other health practitioner at your own expense.

The State Highway Patrol's Chief Medical Examiner will make the final determination of physical fitness.  Examinations will be scheduled at the Patrol Academy in Columbus, Ohio. You will be advised of the preliminary results at the conclusion of the examination.

Aerobic Assessment:

An aerobic assessment will be conducted by the State Highway Patrol's certified exercise physiologist to evaluate your body composition, cardio respiratory endurance, strength, and flexibility. 

This assessment will be conducted immediately following the medical examination.

The Physical Fitness Assessment is administered under the guidelines of the Aerobics Institute of Dallas, TX. Applicants must attain, as a minimum, a score in the thirtieth (30%) percentile for his/her age and gender to receive further employment consideration. 

The five areas tested are:

Males              %Fat              Bench             Leg                  Flex                 VO2
20-29               20.6%              .93                   1.74                 15.5                 40.3                
30+                  23.0%              .83                   1.59                 14.5                 38.5                

Females          %Fat              Bench             Leg                  Flex                 VO2
20-29               24.5%              .56                   1.27                 18.3                 33.8                
30+                  26.7%              .51                   1.15                 17.3                 32.3                

You will be required to sign a waiver, prior to appearing for the assessment, relieving the State Highway Patrol of any liability or responsibility for injury incurred while performing the tasks.

It will be necessary for you to bring additional clothing suitable for physical activities.  In addition to these gym clothes, you must have a pair of shoes suitable for running. 

Physical Fitness Assessment:

You will be required to complete the physical fitness assessment a second time to ensure continued physical fitness.  Refer to the requirements stated previously.  This second physical fitness assessment will also include the Grip Strength Assessment.

Psychological Assessment:

You will be required to take a battery of psychological tests which will last approximately four hours.  These tests will be evaluated by a licensed psychologist.

Psychological Assessment Interview:

Each applicant will be scheduled to participate in a personal interview with a licensed psychologist to discuss the results of the psychological tests.  This interview will last approximately one-half hour.

Final Acceptance for Employment:

The entire selection process generally takes four to six months.  Applicants will be informed by letter of final acceptance for employment. Out-of-State residents must obtain an Ohio license and Ohio residency prior to entrance into the Academy.

Written Notification:

Due to the various phases of the selection process, if you fail to successfully complete any phase of the selection process, you will be notified in writing following the completion of that phase. There may be opportunities to re-apply or request re-consideration to re-apply.

If you have any questions, you may contact the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Recruitment & Selection Section:

740 E. 17th Avenue
Columbus, OH  43211-2774
(614) 466-6019 or toll free
1-866-TROOPER

email address:
beatrooper@dps.state.oh.us