Recruitment

Thank you for your interest in the Oregon State Police

We are currently not accepting applications.

Please monitor our website for updates, as recruitment may resume in 2026.

If you would like to learn more about career opportunities with OSP, you can contact one of our recruiters or visit our website to familiarize yourself with the hiring process.

To receive a notification when recruitment opens, email osp.trooper@osp.oregon.gov and request to be added to our contact list. Please leave your name and phone number.

In the meantime, you can prepare by:

Reviewing the minimum qualifications and hiring standards
Running through our Physical Fitness Test (OSP PFT)
Familiarize yourself with the POST test, which assesses high school-level reading, writing, math, and grammar skills.
Stay connected via our website and social media platforms for updates and insight into OSP life.

We appreciate your interest and look forward to your application in the future.

Recruit Trooper Hiring Steps

We are pleased you are interested in joining the ranks of Oregon's finest. These steps will help you understand our process. We are committed to helping you achieve your goals and keeping you informed throughout the process.

The hiring process for recruits is extensive. The time from application to appointment can exceed several months. The hiring process consists of seven steps. Read and review all steps and become familiar with the different tests and systems you'll need to access before you begin.

When we are accepting applications:

Step 1, a job application, must be completed within the open application period, which is typically 5-6 weeks.
Step 2: Get scheduled for Entry-Level Testing (ELT). ELT is done in person at various locations and on dates when we are in open recruitment. The dates will be posted at the top of our recruiting page, along with an email address for scheduling. ELT is comprised of three parts.

The Oregon State Police Physical Fitness Test (OSP PFT) is described in detail at OSP Physical Fitness Testing.
An academic exam. The exam consists of reading, writing, and math sections, covering a high school equivalency level of content. See our guide to POST Exam Familiarization.
Complete a pre-offer psychological exam and risk assessment. Step one of this exam is proctored during ELT and does not require preparation or studying. Step two is a Personal History Questionnaire that you will complete at home in the week after ELT.
Generally, plan to dedicate a whole day to completing the ELT steps.

When we are not accepting applications, you can call one of our OSP recruiters, review our website to familiarize yourself with all the hiring steps, and check back frequently.

An online application must be completed by the closing date listed in the recruitment announcement.

We respect, value, and seek applicants who have served the United States in the Armed Forces. Oregon state government provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment. Learn more about this eligibility and what you must provide with your application to qualify for veteran’s preference.

Entry Level Testing (ELT) is done in person at various locations and dates when we are in an open recruitment. The dates and locations will be posted at the top of our recruiting page along with an email address to get scheduled. ELT is comprised of three parts.

The Oregon State Police Physical Fitness Test (OSP PFT) is described here: OSP Physical Fitness Testing.
An academic exam. The exam consists of reading, writing, and math sections, and tests at a high school equivalency level.
Complete a pre-offer psychological exam and risk assessment. Step one of this exam is proctored during ELT and does not require any preparation or studying. Step two of the exam is a Personal History Questionnaire that you will complete at home in the week after attending an ELT session.

Those selected for Step 3 will be contacted by OSP Training and Recruitment Section staff. This is an interview with Oregon State Police Commanders consisting of a panel of Majors and Captains. The interview is conducted in-person, typically 30-40 minutes and is primarily a behavioral-based question interview structure.

Those selected for Step 4 will be contacted by OSP Training and Recruitment Section staff to complete a Recruit Background History Packet. See the Recruit Background Checklist for details needed. These forms must be completed and returned, per instructions on the forms, to the OSP Training and Recruitment Section staff within nine days after completing Step 4. Handwritten forms will not be accepted. Additionally, an applicant must be willing to sign several waivers allowing OSP to conduct a thorough background investigation. Some factors considered during a background investigation include but are not limited to:

Driving history
Criminal history Fingerprint check
Personal references
Employment history
Military Service Records – Discharge Status
Job references
Personal references
Prior contact with law enforcement agencies
Financial status (to include credit history)

Those selected for Step 5 will be given a conditional job offer based upon an applicant meeting the following conditions:

Acceptance of employment to a specific work station (if offered),
Budget availability and funding,
Pass a medical screening, and
Pass a post-offer psychological evaluation.

If you accept the conditional job offer, an appointment to an OSP contracted medical screening clinic will be made for you (see OAR 259-008-0010 (8) Physical Examination). A psychological evaluation will be scheduled in conjunction with the medical screening. This psychological evaluation will be in-person by the contracted Psychologists. You should expect to be at the Psychologist's office for approximately four hours.

Upon successful completion of all conditional appointment requirements:

Attend OSP Pre-Academy (approximately 3 weeks in duration)
Attend DPSST Basic Police Academy (16 weeks in duration)
*Qualified out of state lateral applicants who meet Oregon standards set by DPSST will not be required to attend the Basic Police Academy, but will be required to attend a 2 week PCOD academy through DPSST within a year of appointment
Attend OSP Post-Academy (approximately 6-7 weeks in duration)
Link to Recruit Academy Prep Guide

Contact

Oregon State Police- Sworn Recruiting

3565 Trelstad Ave. SE
Salem, OR 97317

Richardson, Phil 2 August 2017.jpg

Sr. Trooper Phil Richardson
Phone: 503-583-5196

Hours
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday

Oregon State Police
Human Resources
3565 Trelstad Ave SE
Salem, OR 97317
Phone: 503-934-0232
OSPHR@osp.oregon.gov

Hours
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday

Recruitment

Thank you for your interest in the Oregon State Police

Recruit Trooper Hiring Steps

Step 1 - Complete an online job application and any supplemental information.

Step 2 - Entry Level Testing (ELT)

Step 3 -Command Interview

Step 4 - Background investigation

Step 5 - Conditional offer of employment

Step 6 - Medical screening and post-offer psychological evaluation

Step 7 - Appointment