Application process

About the Role

State Troopers and Cadets serve as law enforcement officers with statewide jurisdiction, exceeding the authority of local and county police officers. Selected applicants undergo intensive training at the Maryland State Police Training Academy and are assigned to one of the 23 State Police Barracks upon graduation.

Application Process

If selected to continue after the initial online submission, you will receive an invitation to a Virtual Applicant Orientation via PowerPoint presentation. This material includes vital instructions, job duties, academy details, and application process information.

Note: MPTC Regulations require candidates to abstain from controlled dangerous substances (other than marijuana) for three years, and marijuana for 12 months, before Applicant Orientation.

To expedite your application, have official copies of your high school and college transcripts (or GED transcript) ready.

Testing Requirements

• Functional Fitness Assessment Test (FFAT): A point-based test rewarding performance across the 1.5-mile run, sit-ups, and push-ups. A minimum of 16 total points is required to pass. Applicants may retake the FFAT up to three additional times in one year.
• Written Exam: A four-part National Police Officer Selection Test (POST) covering Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Report Writing Skills. Applicants may retake the test up to three additional times if they fail.
• Oral Board Interview
• Polygraph Examination and Background Investigation
• Medical and Psychological Testing

FFAT Scoring Chart

Combined Level Run Time (sec) Run Time (min:sec) Run Points Sit-Ups Sit-Up Points Push-Up Push-Up Points Elite <720 <12:00 10 ≥40 10 ≥35 10 Strong 720-839 12:00-13:59 8 32-39 8 25-34 8 Average 840-960 14:00-16:00 6 27-31 6 18-24 6 Below Average 961-1081 16:01-18:01 4 21-26 4 13-17 4 Poor 1082-1170 18:02-19:30 2 15-20 2 8-12 2 Very Poor >1170 >19:30 0 — 0 — 0

To be admitted to the FFAT, bring your FFAT Invitation Letter, three copies of your completed Medical Waivers, and a valid Driver’s License. Dress in fitness attire; after the FFAT, change into business attire for the written exam at MSP Headquarters.

Written Exam Transfer

If you have already taken the POST exam, you may request to transfer your grades at least one week prior to your scheduled FFAT and Written Exam. The Recruitment Unit will verify your grades against Maryland State Police standards and inform you if you need to retake the exam. If the transferring agency cannot be reached in time, you will be required to retake the POST exam.

All applicants will receive their test grades by email within five business days after the written exam. A valid driver’s license is required for the written exam.

Police Selection Committee

Your application will be reviewed by the Police Selection Committee (PSC), a five-member board from various Maryland State Police units. The PSC will categorize applicants into one of the following competitive bands:

• Best
• Better
• Qualified
• Not-Qualified

Only applicants ranked as Best, Better, or Qualified will be considered for competitiveness within an academy class. The entire application process generally takes 3-5 months, depending on the promptness of applicant responses.

Applicants must submit images of all tattoos and body modifications before a conditional offer will be considered.

Training

Selected applicants attend the Maryland State Police Training Academy in Sykesville, Maryland. The Academy is an intensive, military-style program emphasizing ethics, teamwork, and accountability. Recruits live at the Academy Monday through Friday and undergo daily inspections. Accumulating demerits may result in disciplinary weekends.

The curriculum includes:

• Academics: College-level classes, earning 45 college credits.
• Driving: Emergency vehicle operation under stressful conditions.
• Firearms: Two weeks mastering the Glock Model 17 9mm handgun and patrol shotgun.
• Tactics & Survival: Defensive tactics (including boxing and martial arts) and officer survival skills.
• Physical Fitness: Daily running and pushing physical and mental limits.
• Certifications: Standardized Field Sobriety Test administration and Maryland State Certified First Responder training.
• Law & Reporting: In-depth knowledge of Maryland's Criminal and Motor Vehicle Laws and proficiency in report writing using a personal computer.

After graduation, recruits report to one of the 23 State Police Barracks. For eight weeks, an experienced Field Training Trooper (FTT) supervises them to apply Academy training to real police situations. After satisfactory completion, they begin independent patrol duties.