Agency: New York State PoliceApplication Deadline: August 17, 2026Entrance Exam Deadline: September 1, 2026Academy Start: August 2027
🚨 Application Deadline: August 17, 2026. The New York State Police is now accepting applications for the August 2027 Academy Class. This is one of the most competitive law enforcement careers in New York, offering top-tier pay, strong benefits, and long-term job security. Entrance exam deadline: September 1, 2026. Apply and get official details at joinstatepolice.ny.gov.
Application Deadline
Aug 17, 2026
apply online first
Entrance Exam Deadline
Sep 1, 2026
schedule via Pearson VUE
Academy Starts
Aug 2027
class start date
Academy Pay
$70,748*
up to, based on hire date
Graduation Pay
$82,608+
varies by region
5-Year Pay
$127,049+
varies by region
The New York State Police is accepting applications for the August 2027 Academy Class. Becoming a State Trooper is widely regarded as one of the most competitive and rewarding law enforcement careers in New York — Troopers work statewide patrol, highway safety, and specialized investigative assignments, with a clear path to strong long-term pay, full benefits, and a 20-year retirement.
No prior police experience is required. The selection process consists of an online application, a computer-based entrance exam, a Physical Ability Test (PAT), a medical exam, and a thorough background investigation. Candidates are placed on an eligibility list, and as Trooper positions are authorized, candidates are contacted in rank order for processing toward the Academy.
Apply by August 17, 2026 — joinstatepolice.ny.gov
Entrance exam deadline September 1, 2026. No prior police experience required. Veterans may be eligible for preference credits. August 2027 Academy Class.
Questions? NYSPMemberHiring@Troopers.NY.Gov | New York State Police Member Hiring Unit, 1220 Washington Ave, Bldg. 22, Albany, NY 12226
Key Dates
Milestone
Date
Application Deadline
August 17, 2026
Entrance Exam Deadline
September 1, 2026
Physical Ability Test (PAT)
TBD — typically held ~6 months before Academy start
Academy Start Date
August 2027
ℹ️ How the exam itself works: After submitting your online application, you’ll receive an authorization email from Pearson VUE to schedule your entrance exam. The exam is administered at Pearson VUE testing centers — over 250 locations nationwide, including 50+ in New York State — and carries a $44.00 fee payable directly to Pearson VUE. The exam itself is a two-hour, 150-question multiple-choice test measuring cognitive ability along with behavioral characteristics and attitudes. A comprehensive study guide is provided by the State Police.
NY State Trooper Salary & Pay Scale
Total compensation includes base salary plus hazardous duty and expanded duty pay, and varies by region. Pay is generally highest on Long Island, followed by NYC/Westchester, then the rest of upstate New York.
Career Stage
Upstate
NYC / Westchester
Long Island
Academy
Up to $70,748*
—
—
Graduation
$82,608
$86,232
$91,191
1 Year
$109,620
$113,498
$119,837
5 Years
$127,049
$130,929
$137,265
*Academy pay based on hiring date.
Hiring Requirements
Basic Qualifications
✓Age: Must be at least 21 years old at time of appointment, and appointed before age 43 (military service may extend this limit by up to 7 years)
✓Residency: Must be a New York State resident
✓Driver’s License: Must have a valid NYS driver’s license
✓Physical Ability Test: Must pass push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run
✓Schedule flexibility: Must be able to work rotating shifts, including holidays
Education Requirements
Candidates must have a High School Diploma or equivalent AND one of the following:
+30 college credits from an accredited institution
+Military service with an honorable discharge
+Police training that is MPTC certified (Municipal Police Training Council)
Additional sources of credit toward the education requirement may include:
✓CLEP / DSST exams
✓Military training
✓FEMA courses
✓Professional certifications
✓College transfer credits
Hearing & Vision Requirements
!Vision: Must be correctable to 20/30 in each eye. Uncorrected vision cannot be worse than 20/100.
!Color vision: Color blindness may be disqualifying.
!Hearing: Hearing thresholds must not exceed 30 dB, with standard testing protocols applied.
The Selection Process — Step by Step
The process is job-related and competitive, designed to determine your potential for success in the Academy and as a Trooper. No prior police experience is required.
1
Submit your online applicationApply at joinstatepolice.ny.gov to begin the entrance exam application process. You won’t be able to schedule your written exam until the NYSP reviews and authorizes your application.
2
Schedule and take the entrance examOnce authorized, you’ll receive an email from Pearson VUE to schedule your two-hour, 150-question computer-based exam ($44 fee, payable to Pearson VUE) at one of 250+ testing centers nationwide.
3
Pass the Physical Ability Test (PAT)Typically held on a weekend, approximately six months before an Academy class begins. Includes push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run, scored against age- and sex-based standards.
4
Complete candidate processingIncludes a background investigation questionnaire, a tattoo and body art review, and (where applicable) review of military service documentation.
5
Pass the medical exam and background investigationA thorough background investigation verifies all information provided during the application process, alongside a comprehensive medical evaluation.
6
Join the eligibility list and await rank notificationAs new Trooper positions are authorized, candidates are notified in rank order. Keep your contact information updated so NYSP can reach you when your rank is reached.
7
Report to the Academy — August 2027Successful candidates begin the Academy training class, leading to appointment as a New York State Trooper.
✓ Military deferment available: If you’re on qualifying active-duty military orders, you may be placed on a special military deferment list. Attach a copy of your current orders or service contract to your deferment request form.
Benefits & Time Off
★
120 hrs
Annual Leave
★
24 hrs
Personal Leave
★
104 hrs
Sick Leave
★
12 weeks
Paid Parental Leave
✓Health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance
✓Retirement: Eligible to retire after 20 years of service at 50% of salary
✓Equipment: All uniforms and equipment provided
How to Apply
All applications are submitted online at joinstatepolice.ny.gov. There is no in-person application option — the entire process, from initial application through exam scheduling, runs through the online portal and Pearson VUE.
Wait for your application to be reviewed. Once authorized, you’ll receive an email from Pearson VUE with instructions to schedule your entrance exam.
Step 3
Schedule and complete your entrance exam at a Pearson VUE testing center before September 1, 2026. The fee is $44.00, payable directly to Pearson VUE.
Step 4
If you pass, await notification of the Physical Ability Test (PAT) date, then continue through candidate processing, medical exam, and background investigation ahead of the August 2027 Academy start.
ℹ️ Already took the 2024–2025 exam? If you previously tested and cannot attend the current regional PAT processing, you will be reinvited one final time to a Spring 2026 PAT processing. Keep your contact information current so NYSP can reach you.
Veterans’ Preference
Military personnel applying to become a Trooper may be eligible for veterans’ preference credits, and the maximum appointment age of 43 may be extended by up to 7 years for qualifying military service. Be prepared to provide documentation of your service during the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the NY State Trooper application deadline?
The application deadline is August 17, 2026.
When does the academy start?
The Academy begins in August 2027.
What is the starting salary?
Troopers can earn over $70,000 during the Academy and over $82,000 upon graduation, with graduation pay reaching as high as $91,191 on Long Island. Pay rises substantially with tenure — over $127,000 upstate and up to $137,265 on Long Island after 5 years.
What fitness test is required?
Candidates must pass a Physical Ability Test (PAT) including push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run. The PAT is typically held about six months before an Academy class begins.
Do I need prior police experience to apply?
No. No prior police experience is required. The selection process — entrance exam, PAT, medical exam, and background investigation — is designed to evaluate your potential for success in the Academy and as a Trooper, regardless of your professional background.
How much does the entrance exam cost, and where is it administered?
The entrance exam carries a $44.00 fee payable to Pearson VUE. It’s a two-hour, 150-question computer-based test administered at Pearson VUE testing centers — over 250 locations nationwide, including 50+ across New York State.
What education do I need?
A High School Diploma or equivalent, plus one of: 30 college credits, honorably discharged military service, or MPTC-certified police training. Additional credit sources like CLEP/DSST exams, military training, FEMA courses, professional certifications, and college transfer credits may also count.
What are the age requirements?
You must be at least 21 years old at the time of appointment and appointed before turning 43. Qualifying military service may extend that upper age limit by up to 7 years.
Is passing the entrance exam enough to be hired?
No — passing the entrance exam places you on an eligibility list. You’ll then need to pass the Physical Ability Test, a medical exam, and a thorough background investigation. As new Trooper positions are authorized, candidates are contacted from the eligibility list in rank order.
🚀 Final tip: Apply early and begin preparing now. NY State Trooper exams are extremely competitive, and early preparation — for the entrance exam, the Physical Ability Test, and the background investigation — gives you a major advantage over candidates who wait until the deadline.
Apply by August 17, 2026 — August 2027 Academy Class
Academy pay up to $70,748. Graduation pay $82,608–$91,191 depending on region, rising past $127,000 after 5 years. No prior police experience required. Entrance exam deadline September 1, 2026.
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