The Kentucky State Police is the leading law enforcement agency for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  Becoming a sworn officer in the Kentucky State Police is much more than just a job.  And the benefits extend well beyond those of ordinary professions.

As a Kentucky State Police Trooper, you'll be in a position that offers almost immeasurable rewards in the pursuit of service to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Don't forget the Kentucky State Police also has a number of civilian positions for employment as well.  For more information on career opportunities as a civilian, click here.

The Kentucky State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D.

Advancement & Promotion Schedule for Troopers
KSP Sworn Officer Salary & Benefits | Sworn Officer Positions
Minimum Job Requirements | Disqualifying Factors
Download Trooper Application | Required Application Documents
Cadet Written Exams | Step-by-step Guide to Application
Contact the Human Resources Branch
Civilian Positions with the KSP

Advancement/Promotion for KSP Sworn Officers

After five years of service Troopers attain the rank of Senior Trooper and an additional five- percent increase in salary.

Those with 60 college credit hours can achieve this non-supervisory rank in three years.

Promotion to the supervisor ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and captain is based upon merit and prescribed criteria set out by statute to include testing and evaluation.

Promotional Ladder:

• Sergeant - eligible to compete after five (5) years of service as a Trooper.

• Lieutenant - eligible after three (3) years at Sergeant.

• Captain - eligible after three (3) years at Lieutenant.

The Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police appoints all ranks above Captain.

KSP Benefits

Salary

Cadet troopers will receive $2,223.06 per month during academy training.

Upon graduation this salary will increase to $2445.38 monthly ($29,344.56 annually).

There is typically a five-percent annual increase in salary with no top out level.

Troopers receive a 10-percent salary increase with each promotion.

Troopers also receive five dollars per day for uniform maintenance.

Benefits

Health Insurance: Troopers may choose one of a variety of health insurance plans offered with dependent coverage at additional charge.

Life Insurance: The Commonwealth of Kentucky provides a $20,000 term life insurance policy.

Vacation: Paid vacation time is accrued according to your years of service.

• 0-4 years of employment 12 days per year.
• 5-9 years of employment 15 days per year.
• 10-14 years of employment 18 days per year.
• 15 years & over of employment 21 days per year.

Sick Leave: You accrue one sick day for every month worked. There is no limit to the number of sick days you may accumulate. Upon retirement, all accumulated sick leave goes toward your retirement.

Military Leave: Any trooper who is a member of the military reserve or National Guard is entitled to a maximum of 10 working days per year of paid military leave.

Holidays: Troopers receive 10 and ½ paid holidays per year.

College Tuition Reimbursement: The Kentucky State Police will reimburse the cost of tuition to officers who desire to further their education in fields closely related to their job requirements.

Equipment: All troopers are provided uniforms, necessary weapons, vehicles and other essential equipment and supplies in order to perform their duties.

Retirement: Troopers may retire with 20 years of service and collect 50% of the average of their three highest years of wages and full benefits.

Merit Pay Program, Job Security, State Run Deferred Compensation program, Opportunities for Growth and Advancement, and Take home car are also provided.

Sworn Officer Positions

Minimum Requirements for KSP Sworn Officers

KRS 16.040 (2) requires that all persons appointed as officers shall, at the time of their appointment, be:

• A citizen of the United States.

• Of good moral character and in good health.

• Not less than twenty-one (21) years of age.

• Possess a valid drivers license against which no more than six (6) driver demerit points have been assessed.  You must submit a copy of a valid drivers license at time of application.

• At the time of application, possess a minimum of sixty (60) college hours of credit, or an associates degree from an accredited college or university, or be a high school graduate with at least two (2) years of active military duty or two (2) years experience as a full-time, sworn law enforcement officer.

Disqualifications on becoming a KSP Trooper

Applicants shall be disqualified from further participation in the selection process or removed from the register if it is determined that:

• An applicant does not meet any one (1) of the qualifications for appointment as an officer.
• An applicant has made a false statement of material fact on the application or in response to any questions or requests for information during the selection process.
• An applicant has used or attempted to use political influence, coercion or bribery to secure an advantage in any phase of the selection process.
• An applicant has cheated during the course of any examination required during the selection process, or has attempted to gain an advantage over other applicants by any dishonest or intentionally misleading act or omission.
• An applicant has failed to comply with any instructions from the department relating to the selection process.
• An applicant has been dismissed for cause from any public agency, or has resigned while charges of misconduct were pending.
• An applicant has been convicted of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude.
• An applicant is a current user of a controlled substance, unless prescribed by a physician.
• An applicant is addicted to any controlled substance or intoxicant.
• An applicant has more than six (6) driver demerit points against his operator license.
• An applicant test positive for an unlawful controlled substance as determined by a blood or urine analysis.

EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2002

Agency policy requires that tattoos or body piercing shall not be visible while in any agency issued uniform.

Download KSP Trooper Application

To download a Kentucky State Police Cadet Application, click here.

To download the Kentucky State Police Testing Date selection form, click here.

NOTE:  The Kentucky State Police Cadet application and Testing Date selection forms are provided in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (.pdf).  You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the application.  Click here to download Acrobat Reader for free.

NOTE: No application can be processed without all required documents.

Requirements/Guidelines for Application

All submitted applications must be typed or printed legibly in ink and have a copy of the following attached:

• Copy of Testing Date Selection Form (click to download form)
• Copy of a certified Birth Certificate.
• Copy of a valid Drivers License.
• Official college or university transcripts (if applicable).
• Notarized letter from employer in law enforcement certifying length of employment (if applicable).
• Copy of DD214 form if a veteran of the military -or- if currently active, a notarized letter from commanding officer verifying length of service (if applicable).
• High school diploma or GED certificate required if military or law enforcement experience is used to satisfy requirements.

Taking the Cadet Candidate Written Exam & Content Based Task Test (CBTT)

2004 Testing Dates:

• February 14, 2004
• March 20, 2004
• April 24, 2004

Testing Location/Map

Both the Cadet Candidate Written Exams and the Content Based Task Test (CBTT) will take place in Richmond, Kentucky at the Eastern Kentucky University campus in the Stratton and Funderburk Buildings.

Click here for detailed directions and a map of the location of the Written Exam and CBTT.

Select a testing date:

All applicants must choose a date and location to report for the written examination. You should indicate your selection in writing, and return with your completed application. Confirmations will be mailed upon receipt of the completed application.  Application deadline - seven days prior to chosen test date.

To download the Kentucky State Police Testing Date selection form, click here.

Please choose a date for the written examination and return to:

Human Resources Branch
919 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601

Selection form should be returned no later than seven days prior to date chosen. The test will begin at 9:00am, we will begin check in at 8:30am.

Return documents to:

Kentucky State Police
Human Resources Branch
919 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601

Step-by-step guide to becoming a Kentucky State police Trooper

On the following steps, simply click on the provided link for more information about the details and process of each step.

• Obtain and complete Cadet Trooper Application, click to download.  Submit all required documents with Cadet Trooper Application.

• Select written examination and Content-Based Task Test date, click to download Testing Date selection form.

• Take written examination, click for more.

• Content-Based Task Test, click for more.

• Oral Board Interview, click for more.

• Polygraph examination, click for more.

• Background investigation, click for more.

• Conditional offer of employment, click for more.

• Medical / Psychological examination, click for more.

• Kentucky State Police Academy, click for more.

Human Resources Branch

You can request more information on a career with the Kentucky State Police, contact our Human Resources Branch by:

Sending an e-mail message to us.

NOTE: This email address is for career inquires only. For other  information requests, please see our contact information page to determine the appropriate contact.

OR

Write or visit us during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) at the Human Resources Branch located at:

Kentucky State Police
Human Resources Branch
919 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601

OR

Call the Human Resources Branch at (502) 695-6360 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM).

OR

By visiting your local Kentucky State Police Post.  Click here to find the KSP Post closest to your location.

The Kentucky State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D.