Louisiana Police Academy Requirements

The Louisiana police academy requirements are intended to set a high standard potential officers. Below are all the requirements and disqualifying factors. Be aware that there is a lot of competition for police jobs so going above the minimum requirements is advised. 

Prerequisites to Academy –
Step 1: Entrance Exam

The entrance test is a pass/fail exam. Results are mailed within 4-6 weeks after the exam. Once an applicant has passed the written exam, the applicant is advised by the State Police Commission that the next phase of the process will be handled by the Office of State Police. If an applicant fails the written test, re-application can be made by sending a letter to the State Police Commission requesting to be scheduled for another test date.

Step 2: Availability/Personal Data Questionnaire Packet

After passing the written test, and when the department schedules an academy class, applicants are mailed a packet, including an Availability/ Personal Data Questionnaire to be returned within two weeks.

Step 3: Physical Condition Assessment

In order to be considered for employment, applicants must pass a Physical Condition Assessment. The Physical Condition Assessment is comprised of three events: push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5 mile run for time. Applicants are graded by Cooper’s Standards for Law Enforcement Personnel.

Step 4: Background Investigation and Polygraph

A background investigation will be conducted of all applicants who turn in the Availability/Personal Data Questionnaire packets. While the backgrounds are being conducted, a polygraphist will contact each applicant to schedule a polygraph exam. This process can take several months for completion, depending on when an academy class is scheduled.

Step 5: Oral Interview

Applicants will receive a letter informing them of their scheduled date for appearance before an oral interview board.

Step 6: Selection of Candidates

Upon completion of the applicant process, applicant information will be assembled in a candidates’ pool. This information will be reviewed for available positions by members of the selection board. Candidates will then be selected in a nondiscriminatory manner.

Step 7: Conditional Offer of Employment

All selected candidates will receive a letter for Conditional Offer of Employment. If a candidate accepts the offer, he/she must sign and return the letter before a specified deadline.

Step 8: Medical Examination, Drug Test and Psychological Evaluation

Upon acceptance of the Conditional Offer of Employment, candidates are required to report for a medical exam, drug test and a psychological evaluation by a licensed, contracted physician on our staff. Another physical condition assessment will be given during this step.

Step 9: Final Offer of Employment

After passing the medical exam, drug test and psychological evaluation, candidates will receive a letter for a Final Offer of Employment. They will be required to sign and return the letter before a specified deadline.

Step 10: Start of Academy

Begin 17 week process of completing the police academy.
*As described on the Louisiana State Police website

Age Requirement – Louisiana police academy requirements state that State Trooper recruits must be at least 21 years of age at time of employment. There is no upper age limit. Note: The on-line application asks if you are at least 21 years of age, or will be 21 within six months.

Residency and Citizenship Requirement – Applicants must be a resident of Louisiana and possess a valid Louisiana driver’s license upon appointment as a State Police Cadet.  Applicants must be a United States citizen at the time of initial application.

Educational Requirement – Applicants must possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) time of application.  Correspondence or mail-order high school diplomas are not accepted. Additionally, 2 or more years of responsible work experience or attendance at an institution of higher learning following high school graduation are required.

Applicant will be required to take a written/oral examination, psychological test, as well as a polygraph examination.

Automatic Disqualification Factors

Applicants are advised that the Louisiana State Police will automatically disqualify any applicant who does not meet the general requirements as detailed below.  In addition, the following information is provided regarding our criteria for automatic disqualification:

• Falsification, omission, or misrepresentation of any information during the completion of the Polygraph Screening Booklet, the Polygraph Examination, the Formal Application for Employment, and any other documents/processes associated with the Cadet Selection Procedures.
• Substance abuse/use within a prescribed time frame and/or that is beyond what is considered experimental by the Louisiana State Police.
• Criminal arrests/behavior which would not reflect well on the Louisiana State Police.

The core purpose of the Louisiana State Police is to seek justice, preserve peace, and improve the quality of life for all.  As such, the Department has established the core values of Honor, Service, Integrity, Respect, Trust, Courage, and Duty, and is seeking applicants who possess these traits and conduct themselves accordingly.  Certain issues within a person’s background have been identified which will result in automatic disqualification, including but not limited to:  criminal conduct (actual arrest and/or admission of behavior whether or not arrested) and substance abuse.

A preliminary determination will be made by the Louisiana State Police based upon information supplied; therefore, applicants must be forthright and honest in documenting their conduct.  Be advised that this preliminary determination is not binding as it is made based upon information provided by the applicant only.  Should an applicant continue in the selection process, the conduct will then be discussed and documented with an Louisiana State Police Officer.

Applicants are advised that all information provided to the Louisiana State Police is to contain no misrepresentation, falsification, omissions, or concealment of material fact and that, upon submission of any official document (on-line or otherwise), applicants swear or affirm that all information provided is true, complete, and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.  Applicants are further advised that all information provided is subject to later investigation.

Physical Readiness Test – Minimum standards to pass the Physical Fitness Test require the ability to:

Entrance Standards – Male

Entrance Standards – Female

NOTE:  Louisiana Police Academy eligibility requirements are subject to change at any time.