An official website of the State of Maryland.

Maryland.gov Translate

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Maryland Department of State Police

State Trooper Cadet

On this page

The Maryland State Police Cadet program immerses young men and women, aged 18+, in the duties of State Troopers. Its primary goal is to equip them with the necessary experience and preparation to transition into Trooper roles upon reaching the age of 21.

Cadets are assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, under the supervision of a Trooper,  to perform duties that do not require police authority. Their primary tasks include conducting safety audits and compliance reviews for businesses in the commercial vehicle industry.

The hiring process for Cadet Candidates is structured, rigorous and detailed. It is designed to help select those applicants who are most qualified.

How to apply

  1. Create a user account
  2. Fill out the Online Cadet Application (Applicants only need to complete the application to the indicated stop point.)
  3. Applicants who advance past the online application stage will receive a Virtual Applicant Orientation in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. This presentation contains important information about the next steps in the application process and should be reviewed carefully. 

To expedite your application process, please request official transcripts from your high school and all colleges attended after orientation. If you have a GED, please request an official transcript of your test scores. These documents are required upon full completion of the application.

Fitness assessment test

  1. Complete a functional fitness assessment test:
    1. Push-Ups: eighteen (18)
    2. Sit-Ups: twenty-seven (27)
    3. Flexibility:  (while seated)
    4. 1.5 Mile Run: maximum time of 15 minutes and 20 seconds (15:20)

See the steps for the Functional Fitness Assessment test

Find out how the Maryland State Police measure your fitness level and physical preparedness for the Academy.

Written exam

  1. Take a written exam using the four part National Police Officer Selection Test (POST) examination. Each section will evaluate a different critical job function that a Maryland State Trooper will perform:
    1. Mathematics
    2. Reading Comprehension
    3. Grammar
    4. Report Writing Skills

Applicants are encouraged to use the following study guide - PDF (pdf) to prepare. 

After completing your written exam, please request official transcripts from your high school and any colleges you have attended to help move your application forward. If you have a GED, request an official transcript of your test scores. These documents will be required once your application is fully completed.

  1. Complete and submit the online application.
  2. Complete an oral board interview
  3. Undergo a polygraph examination and background investigation
  4. Undergo a medical and psychological testing
  5. Application review by the Police Selection Committee (PSC)  a five-member board composed from various units within the Maryland State Police. The PSC will band an applicant into one of the following competitive categories​:
    1. Best
    2. Better
    3. Qualified
    4. Not-Qualified

Only applicants ranked best, better, and qualified will be ranked to determine competitiveness in an academy class.

The entire application process generally takes 3-5 months to complete. This time frame is dependent on the promptness of applicant responses. 

The MSP offers a Condensed program for out-of-state applicants (excluding residents of VA, WV, PA, NJ, NY and DE) and active-duty military personnel who are currently deployed. While the condensed process maintains the same steps as the traditional Maryland State Trooper application, their timing and order are adjusted.

Applicants with prior law enforcement must successfully complete the entire Maryland State Police Academy training program.

Military personnel applicants must initiate the application process at least six months before your active duty separation date. Please do not submit your application until you are within this six-month timeframe.

Required documentation

Upon approval of your initial application, you will receive an email notification containing instructions on how to proceed with the remainder of the application process.

All Maryland State Police Cadet applications must include the submission of additional required forms:

Pay information

The Current Starting Salary is $38,011. While the starting salary for a cadet is modest, the most significant advantage is that your time as a cadet will count toward your retirement.

Questions?

For any questions regarding the cadet application process, please contact the Maryland State Police by calling 410-653-4348 or by emailing the Recruitment Unit.