FAQs

No, but you must be a Georgia resident upon graduation.

The minimum age requirement is that you must be 21 years of age upon graduation from the Academy. The Georgia State Patrol does not have any upper age restrictions. Please understand that all Cadets are expected to perform at a high level of physical endurance.

It depends on the arrest. Check out our employment disqualifiers for further details.

Our needs are determined by a number of factors, and are different for every Trooper School. We are continuously hiring at this time.

We do our very best to coordinate steps in the hiring process for our out of state applicants. As hard as we try, there will be situations beyond our control that will require you to make multiple visits to Georgia. Typically, we will coordinate the medical, psychological exams and the final interview on sequential dates. Physical assessments and polygraphs usually require separate visits.

It is very important. This will be looked at during the background investigation phase of the hiring process. Check out our employment disqualifiers for further details.

The Department makes every effort to assign new troopers to their requested post locations, but the needs of the Department are taken in to account. Currently, the Department has staffing needs at most post territories.

No, the Georgia State Patrol does not offer incentive pay for prior law enforcement or military experience.

Yes, we do not have an abbreviated academy for prior law enforcement. Our Academy is 20 weeks long with a 12-week Field Training phase.

Cadets remain at the Academy four weeks prior to being granted leave. After the first month, you can go home on Friday and return on Sunday evening. (This is for the four months of training at the training center). Immediately following, you will be assigned to Field Training at three various posts throughout the state. Typically, you would spend one month at each of the three posts. Lodging is usually available at no cost to you at one of the Posts within a Troop.

The most difficult things about Trooper school are the mental and physical fatigue and stress. We are a para-military Academy that tests all your capabilities. If you prepare both mentally and physically, our Academy is completely attainable and something to forever be proud of upon graduation.

Yes, you get paid and you receive the complete benefits package once you are hired.

There is no set frequency for pay raises. As with all state employees, pay raises are granted by the Georgia General Assembly and are not guaranteed at any interval.

After you are hired, you will be given specific instructions on what to bring.

Yes. All equipment is provided by the department.

Once you have attained the rank of Trooper First Class (approximately 18 months after graduation), you may compete for promotion.

Yes, upon graduation you will receive a patrol car along with appropriate equipment.

$34,392 annually if employed as a Cadet prior to the start of the Trooper Academy. The salary is $36,832 annually while in Trooper school and $47,350 annually upon graduation. After 18 months and meeting expectations, you will receive a promotion to Trooper First Class 1 with a salary of $52,583 annually.

We occasionally provide short term employment for candidates prior to the start of Trooper School. These opportunities are limited, and availability depends on business and operational needs.

No, lateral transfers are not accepted. However, we do encourage former and current law enforcement officers to apply.

Applicants must complete an online application which you can do by clicking on the APPLY NOW button on the homepage. You will be provided a background packet and the physical assessment dates after completing the online application. Please take your time and provide responses to each item. Bring the background packet with you to the physical assessment test.

The hiring process can take from 2 to 6 months depending on when you apply in the hiring cycle.

Business casual is requested for your polygraph and meeting with the background investigator. Business attire (coat and tie) is requested for your panel interview with the Department Staff.

As you complete each step of the hiring process, you will be notified of what to do next. Some steps have several weeks in between them. As long as your contact information is correct, the best thing to do is to be patient and wait.

• Failure to have your application complete and accurate.
• Having lived and worked out of state.
• Military service records.
• Extensive driving/criminal history.
• Having incorrect contact information for your references.
• Your references failing or slow to return our telephone messages.

1. Original Birth certificate and/or Certified Copy of Court Orders authorizing any name change. If name change due to marriage or divorce, include Certified Copies of Marriage Certificate(s) and Divorce Decrees as applicable.
2. Original Certificate of Naturalization (if you are a Naturalized Citizen) All sworn positions require you be a citizen of the United States.
3. If you provide a self-addressed stamped envelope, your Birth certificate or Certificate of Naturalization will be returned.
4. Official Grade Transcripts from: • High School – (Must be an accredited school) or GED diploma (if applicable) • College • Vocational/Technical Schools
5. A recent Full Length Photograph (head-to-toe)
6. Photocopy of DD-214 for each period of military service (must be Member-4 copy showing lines 23-30 regarding separation and discharge information) • Photocopy of Selective Service Registration Card if you are a male applicant between the ages of 18 and 26 years of age. Proof may also be obtained online from the selective service System Website at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfVerification.aspx or at the Selective Service automated line telephone (847) 688-6888.

Go to http://www.gapost.org/ for detailed information.

Yes. If you are not certified as a Peace Officer.

It depends on the number of candidates that show up for that location. We usually allow for four hours, but it usually does not take that amount of time.

Yes, the DPS Uniform and Appearance policy has changed to allow applicants with some visible tattoos in a short sleeve uniform to wear a long sleeve uniform shirt.
Applicants with tattoos or brands will be disqualified for either of the following

1. Tattoos/brands that depict or support criminal behavior, drug usage, nudity, profanity, promiscuity, subversive groups, bigotry, etc.
2. Tattoos/brands on the neck, face, head, hands, and fingers that are visible while on duty and/or in a long sleeve uniform shirt. Tattoos on the arm must not be below the crease of the wrist. Exceptions include tattoos/brands that are covered by one ring per hand, or by a watch band on either the left or right wrist. Uniform members with tattoos visible in a short sleeve uniform shirt (generally, below the crease of the arm and tip of the elbow) will wear the class A uniform (long sleeve shirt).

The DPS does not allow the use of a long sleeve cover-up to hide any visible body art, tattoos, brands, or images that are visible in the short sleeve uniform.

1. Aviation Division
2. Motorcycle Unit (POST 49)
3. S.W.A.T.
4. Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team
5. Criminal Interdiction Unit
6. Implied Consent Unit
7. DUI Nighthawks
8. Governor’s Task Force
9. Dive Team
10. Executive Security
11. Capitol Hill (POST 50)
12. Office of Professional Standards

State employees are also offered access to health insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance and many more benefits including a retirement plan. All state employees receive sick leave in the amount of ten hours per month. State employees also receive annual leave in differing amounts based on the number of years employed with the state. Minimum amount is ten hours per month going up to 14 hours per month.