The Utah Highway Patrol, a division of the Utah Department of Public Safety (801-965-4518), has many areas of emphasis, including: public service; impaired drivers; occupation restraint usage; safety education; local law enforcement support; criminal interdiction; community policing; commercial vehicle safety; accident investigation and reconstruction; and human resource development.
To become a Utah State Trooper in Utah, you must complete the following steps:
- Register with the Utah Department of Human Resources Management
- Meet all minimum requirements for employment
- Take the P.O.S.T. Entrance Exam
- Undergo a suitability assessment
- Undergo a background investigation, meet with the Oral Board and complete all remaining evaluation/tests
- Complete all Utah State Trooper training requirements
Step 1: Register with the Utah Department of Human Resources Management
All Utah State Trooper recruitment opportunities are posted on the Utah Department of Resources Management’s website. To receive email alerts when Utah State Trooper jobs are available, you must create an account, click on the “Subscription” tab, select “Public Safety/Corrections,” and select “Officer-83124.”
Step 2: Meet all Minimum Requirements for Employment
Before applying for a job as a Utah State Trooper you must first ensure you meet all minimum employment requirements. In particular, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 21 years old upon the initial test date
- Possess a high school diploma or a GED
You are not eligible to work as a Utah State Trooper if:
- You have a tattoo that is visible while in a short-sleeve uniform.
- You have more than 3 traffic violations within 2 years of the initial test date.
- You have been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (or have pled guilty to a lesser charge) within 2 years of the initial test date.
- You have been involved in any activity involving the abuse of alcohol.
- You have been convicted of or used hard drugs within the past 5 years of the initial test date.
- You have been convicted of or used drugs not classified as hard drugs within the past 2 years of the initial test date.
- You have been convicted of, sold, manufactured, or cultivated illegal drugs within the past 5 years of the initial test date.
- You have been convicted of a felony as an adult.
- You have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
- You have been convicted of any crime of dishonesty (theft, fraud, tax evasion, deceptive business practices, etc.) within the last 4 years of the initial test date.
- You have been convicted or unlawful sexual conduct within the last 4 years of the initial test date.
- You have been convicted of crimes involving physical violence within the last 4 years of the initial test date.
- You have been convicted of minor crimes (other than traffic) within 1 year of the initial test date.
- You have a dishonorable military discharge.
Step 3: Take the P.O.S.T. Entrance Exam
If you meet the minimum requirements for employment as a Utah State Trooper you will be contacted to take the written exam called the P.O.S.T. Entrance Exam. This exam tests reading, writing, and mathematical skills.
The P.O.S.T. exam may be taken at a number of locations (appointments are required), and all applicants must pay a fee and bring their state- or government-issued identification to the testing location. Out-of-state applicants may make other arrangements (call Kelly Chin in Human Resources at 801-965-4687) to complete the P.O.S.T. Entrance Exam.
Test results are usually available within 2 weeks of the exam date.
Step 4: Complete a Physical Assessment Test (PAT)
All candidates must pass all events of the PAT, and failure to do so will result in the elimination of the candidate during the recruitment period. You can expect to complete the following assessments during the PAT:
- Muscular endurance (bent-knee sit-ups)
- Strength test (push-ups)
- Cardiovascular endurance (1.5 mile run)
Step 5: Undergo a Suitability Assessment, Background Check and Meet
with the Board
You must undergo a suitability assessment to work as a Utah State Trooper. This video-based, multiple-choice test involves the assessment of both your cognitive and interpersonal skills. You will be required to analyze situations and make quick judgments. Your observation skills, reading, basic writing competency, and factual reporting may also be assessed. Only those candidates who pass the suitability assessment can move onto the background investigation portion of the recruitment process.
Submit to a background investigation.
Meet with the Oral Board for an interview.
Once the Oral Board has recommend you for employment as a Utah State Trooper you will need to complete the remaining portions of the recruitment process, which includes undergoing a polygraph examination; a pre-employment drug test; a psychological evaluation; and a comprehensive medical examination, which includes hearing and vision screening.
Step 6: Complete all State Trooper training requirements
All Utah State Troopers, upon being hired, must complete a required course of training, which includes:
- Completing 15 weeks in the Peace Officer Standards and Training
- Completing approximately 100 hours of instruction with the UHP Training Section (includes firearms, emergency vehicle operations, self-defense, and introduction to the Field Training Officer program
- Completing the Field Training Officer program, which lasts 8 to 12 weeks