Contact us
Recruitment & Selection Unit
Human Resources Division
- [email protected]
- Main
- 410-653-4348
MSP Cadet
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
- Create a user account
- Fill out the Online Cadet Application (Applicants only need to complete the application to the indicated stop point.)
- 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
- Complete a functional fitness assessment test:
- Push-Ups: eighteen (18)
- Sit-Ups: twenty-seven (27)
- Flexibility: (while seated)
- 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
- 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:
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Grammar
- Report Writing Skills
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.
- Complete and submit the online application.
- Complete an oral board interview.
- Undergo a polygraph examination and background investigation.
- Undergo a medical and psychological testing.
- 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:
- Best
- Better
- Qualified
- 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.
Trooper qualifications
Selected applicants attend the 26-week MSP Training Academy in Sykesville, MD, living on-site Monday–Friday. Training is rigorous, with military-style discipline, daily inspections, and physical conditioning.
Recruits complete college-level courses (earning 45 credits), master emergency driving, firearms (Glock 17 and shotgun), defensive tactics, and officer survival. They train in sobriety testing, Maryland law, first aid, report writing, and mental resilience.
Graduates are among the nation’s most highly trained officers. After the Academy, new Troopers serve at one of 23 barracks, complete eight weeks of field training, and then begin independent patrol with statewide authority.
The curriculum includes:
- Academics: College-level classes, earning 45 college credits.
- Driving: Training in emergency vehicle operation under stressful conditions.
- Firearms: Two weeks with the Firearms Training Unit, 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 to an unprecedented degree.
- Certifications: Standardized Field Sobriety Test administration for impaired drivers and Maryland State Certified First Responder to aid the sick and injured.
- Law & Reporting: In-depth knowledge of Maryland's Criminal and Motor Vehicle Laws and proficiency in completing reports using a personal computer.
Graduates will report to one of the 23 State Police Barracks, where their authority will be statewide, exceeding that of local and county police officers. For eight weeks, an experienced Field Training Trooper (FTT) will supervise them, allowing them to apply their Academy education and training to real police situations. After satisfactory completion of field training, they will begin independent patrol duties.
- Enforcing the criminal and motor vehicle laws of the State of Maryland
- Investigating traffic accidents
- Investigating and completing criminal investigations
- Providing basic medical attention to ill and injured persons
- Issuing traffic citations and warnings
- Interviewing witnesses, victims and suspects
- Writing field reports
- Arresting and processing suspects
- Preparing cases for court and testifying in court
- Working with community members and other government agencies
To be accepted into the application process, all individuals must meet the following conditions:
- Be a United States Citizen or a permanent legal resident who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces AND has applied to obtain citizenship. For more information regarding qualifications of US citizenship, please visit the Citizenship Resource Center.
- Possess a High School Diploma or GED (If you have a High School Diploma from a foreign country, you must have your diploma checked for equivalency.)
- Possess a valid Driver's License in any state and a satisfactory driving record. Current driving record cannot exceed 3 points. If you exceed this requirement, please wait to apply until you are at or below 3 points.
- Binocular far and near visual acuity, with or without correction, must be 20/20.
- Be at least 20 but not older than 59 and be in excellent physical condition.
- Adhere to our tattoo policy.
- Have a good reputation and sound moral character.
- Do not have any current court orders relating to domestic violence.
- Be truthful in every stage of the application process.
Note: To be eligible for initial certification as a trooper, individuals must not have illegally used a controlled dangerous substance (other than marijuana) within three years of applying. Marijuana use is prohibited one year prior to applying.
- An Associate of Applied Science degree in Police Science can be earned from the Academy at no cost to the employee.
- Each Trooper is assigned an agency take-home vehicle (privilege subject to department policy).
- MSP offers financial incentives for bilingual skills, fitness achievements, and college degrees, provided conditions are met.
- All uniforms and equipment are provided by the Department.
- Mandatory Retirement: Troopers are required to retire at age 60.
- Voluntary Retirement: Voluntary retirement is permitted after 25 years of creditable service or at age 50.
- Military Service Credit: Troopers with prior military service may receive up to 5 years of MSP time credited towards retirement after completing 10 years of creditable service with the Department.
Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP): Troopers with at least 25 years but less than 32 years of creditable service in the Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System have the option to participate in Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP - PDF).
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:
- A notarized Authorization for release of information - PDF - 94.3 KB
- A Military questionnaire and supplemental background sheet - PDF - 217.64 KB
- A notarized Truthfulness Statement - PDF - 450.93 KB
- A Cadet Essential Job Function Questionnaire-Applicant - PDF - 245.25 KB
- A Drug Testing and Employment Agreement - PDF - 91.61 KB
- The Maryland State Police Applicant Polygraph Screening Booklet - PDF - 3.06 MB. This needs to be emailed or mailed to the Recruitment & Selection Unit, Maryland State Police Human Resources Division, 1201 Reisterstown Rd, Pikesville MD 21208
- Supplemental Questionnaire
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.