By: All Criminal Justice Schools Staff
Updated: January 8, 2026
Learn how to become a state trooper in Arkansas
The Arkansas job growth outlook for state troopers is better than the national average’s predicted growth, said O*Net, a subsidiary of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While the national job growth rate for police and sheriff’s patrol officers is 3.1% through 2034, O*Net reported an11% projected growth through 2030, adding an additional 560 law enforcement officers to the field. The fact that the ASP is regarded as one of the more professional and disciplined state police forces in the region may contribute to this desirable growth rate.
In Arkansas, the oversight of state troopers is managed by the Arkansas State Police (ASP), which operates under the Arkansas Department of Public Safety (DPS). They are primarily responsible for patrolling Arkansas’s interstate and state highways. They handle traffic enforcement, accident response and DUI enforcement. Additionally, some troopers join special units and are assigned to investigate major crimes like homicides, sexual assaults and narcotics trafficking.
All-in-all, Arkansas is considered a good state for troopers. Here are the education steps and requirements you’ll need to meet in order to join the state trooper squad in Arkansas.
In this article
Requirements for state troopers in Arkansas
Basic eligibility requirements
To become an Arkansas State Trooper, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria and successfully complete a structured hiring process. The Arkansas State Police (ASP) maintains high standards to ensure that only qualified individuals are selected.
- Age: At least 20 years old at the time of application and 21 by the time of recruit school graduation.
- Education: Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.
- License: Must have a valid driver’s license at the time of application.
- Vision: Binocular vision with normal color vision and depth perception; peripheral vision of 140 degrees; uncorrected visual acuity of at least 20/100, corrected to 20/20 in each eye.
- Selective service: Male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service System.
Preferred experience requirements
- Higher education: Degrees in criminal justice, psychology or related fields demonstrate commitment and provide foundational knowledge.
- Military experience: Veterans often possess discipline, leadership and stress management skills valuable in law enforcement.
- Prior law enforcement experience: Experience in other agencies can indicate readiness and familiarity with law enforcement duties.
- Community involvement: Engagement in community service reflects a commitment to public service and community relations.
- Clean driving record: A history of safe driving may be favorable, given the patrol nature of the job.
Physical fitness requirements
Candidates must pass a timed Physical Assessment Test (PAT), which includes the following components:
- Vertical jump: Able to jump a minimum of 13 inches.
- Sit-ups: Must complete at least 24 in one minute.
- Push-ups: Must complete at least 17 in one minute.
- 300-meter run: Candidates must complete the run in 78.4 seconds or less.
- 1.5 mile run: Must be completed in 18 minutes and 37 seconds or less.
What may disqualify you
- Any conviction of a felony offense under state or federal law is a disqualifier, regardless of when it occurred.
- Any misdemeanor conviction involving domestic violence or domestic assault disqualifies you under federal law from possessing a firearm.
- If you were dishonorably discharged from the armed forces, you’re ineligible.
- No visible tattoos on the neck, hands, head or face.
- Recent or repeated illegal drug use, especially hard drugs, may disqualify you. ASP conducts a thorough background check and drug screening.
- A poor driving record, including a DUI/DWI conviction, frequent at-fault accidents, or license suspensions may lead to disqualification.
- Providing false information during the application process.
- Failure to meet required physical fitness standards or being deemed psychologically unfit for duty can result in rejection.
- While not always a hard disqualifier, serious financial problems such as bankruptcy due to poor decisions, wage garnishments or history of unpaid debt, may raise concerns about judgment or susceptibility to corruption.
- Failure to register for Selective Service is required if you are male and between the ages of 18–25. Failure to register may disqualify you.
Education requirements
To become an Arkansas State Trooper, the minimum educational requirement is a high school diploma or a GED. This is a mandatory qualification for all applicants, said the Arkansas Department of Public Safety
While not required, possessing an associate or bachelor’s degree may be advantageous. Higher education may enhance your application by demonstrating advanced critical thinking, communication and leadership skills. It may also be beneficial for advancement within the Arkansas State Police, as specialized units and leadership roles sometimes favor candidates with additional education.
For out-of-state certified law enforcement officers, Arkansas offers a lateral entry path:
- Certification evaluation: Your existing law enforcement certification and training is assessed to determine equivalency with Arkansas standards.
- Refresher training: If your prior training meets certain criteria, you may be required to complete a Law Enforcement Officer Refresher Course instead of the full Basic Police Training Course.
- Additional requirements: Depending on your experience and training hours, supplementary or remedial training may be necessary to align with Arkansas standards.
It’s important to note that while your prior experience and training may facilitate the transition, you must still meet all other Arkansas State Police requirements, including background checks, physical fitness assessments and other evaluations.
Knowing the difference between Arkansas law enforcement officers
Since law enforcement officials in Arkansas perform different duties and are supervised by different agencies, it’s important to understand the basic differences between the types of law enforcement personnel so you can make the right choice:
State troopers:
Jurisdiction: Statewide, especially highways and interstates
Employer: Arkansas Department of Public Safety
Main duties: Traffic enforcement on highways, criminal investigations, support local agencies and protect state officials
Reports to: Arkansas State Police Director
Notable: Troopers undergo rigorous academy training and specialized divisions, such as SWAT
Municipal police officers:
Jurisdiction: Within city or municipal limits
Employer: City government, for example, Little Rock Police Department
Main duties: Enforce local and state laws within city limits, respond to 911 calls, patrol neighborhoods and investigate crimes
Reports to: Police Chief, who reports to the Mayor or City Manager
Notable: Focused on community policing and city-specific crime trends
Sheriff’s patrol officers:
Jurisdiction: County-wide, including unincorporated areas
Employer: County Sheriff’s Office
Main duties: Patrol rural areas, serve warrants, operate jails, transport inmates, provide court security and civil process service
Reports to: Elected County Sheriff
Notable: Only law enforcement agency directly accountable to voters
Next steps after applying
After applying to the Arkansas State Police to become a state trooper, here’s what typically happens next:
Your application is reviewed
- The Arkansas State Police reviews your submitted application and required documents, including the Physical Fitness Assessment Medical Release Form.
Pass the PAT
- You’ll be scheduled for a Physical Abilities Test (PAT). This test includes exercises such as sit-ups, push-ups and a timed 1.5-mile run.
Pass a written exam
- Candidates who pass the fitness test move on to a written examination that measures cognitive ability and job readiness.
Pass a polygraph test
- A lie detector test is administered to verify the truthfulness of your application and background.
Undergo a background investigation
- A thorough background check is conducted, including criminal history, employment history, credit checks, social media activity and personal references.
Sit for an oral panel review
- You’ll sit for an oral interview with Arkansas State Police officials to assess your demeanor, communication skills and suitability.
Attain Arkansas State Police Commission approval
- Your application package is submitted to the ASP Commission for final review and approval.
- If approved, you’ll receive a conditional offer of employment, pending further evaluations.
Pass medical and psychological evaluations
- Pass comprehensive physical and mental health screenings are conducted to ensure you can handle the physical and emotional demands of the job.
Attend recruit orientation
- Prior to starting the academy, you’ll attend orientation sessions to prepare you for your time at the ASP Recruit Academy.
What happens at the ASP Recruit Academy?
The Arkansas State Police Recruit Academy is an intensive training program designed to prepare recruits for the multifaceted responsibilities of a state trooper. The academy spans 21 weeks, during which recruits undergo over 1,000 hours of comprehensive instruction covering various aspects of law enforcement. Days are structured with a combination of classroom instruction, practical exercises and physical training.
Recruit curriculum includes:
- Cultural diversity and ethics: Education on community relations and ethical decision-making.
- Law enforcement fundamentals: Training in criminal law, traffic enforcement and civil liability.
- Firearms proficiency: Instruction and qualification in the use of firearms.
- Defensive tactics: Techniques for self-defense and suspect control.
- Physical conditioning: Daily physical fitness training to ensure recruits meet the physical demands of the role.
- Emergency vehicle operations: Driving techniques for high-speed pursuits and emergency responses.
- Crisis intervention: Strategies for handling situations involving individuals in crisis.
After graduation
- Upon successful completion of the academy, recruits are sworn in as Arkansas State Troopers and assigned to their respective duties across the state.
Paths to advancement for Arkansas troopers
Advancing your career as an Arkansas State Trooper means taking proactive steps in training, education, performance and leadership. Here’s a brief overview of ways to progress:
Pursue additional education
College degree: While not required, an associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration or a related field may help—especially for administrative or supervisory roles.
Certifications: Take advanced law enforcement courses or certifications through Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy or recognized training providers.
Apply to specialized units
After a certain amount of time in service (usually one-to-three years), you can request assignment or apply for selection into units such as:
- Criminal Investigations Division (CID)
- SWAT / Tactical Unit
- Narcotics Task Force
- Executive Protection Detail
- Aviation Unit
- K-9 Unit
- Highway Patrol Special Response Teams
Note: These units often require internal testing, interviews and sometimes additional physical or skills assessments.
Promote into leadership roles
The ASP ranks typically include the following ladder:
- Corporal
- Sergeant
- Lieutenant
- Captain
- Major
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Colonel (Director)
To help with the promotion steps:
- Secure positive evaluations from superiors
- Pass promotional exams when offered
- Meet time-in-service requirements
- Have a positive disciplinary and performance record
- Demonstrate leadership potential
Arkansas state trooper salaries and job outlook
The annual median wage of state troopers in Arkansas may not be as high as other states like California, Illinois, Washington or even Alaska, which are the top four sites for pay, according to the BLS, but salaries may vary greatly based on factors such as your post location, your experience, certification or specialty unit, rank and education level, said the BLS. Here are median salaries for Arkansas police and sheriffs officers at the state level and for select metro areas:
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
10%$35,950
25%$40,760
50%$48,090Median
75%$57,100
90%$69,420
Median Hourly Wage$23
Job growth3.1%
Total Employment5,490
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $57,610 | $44,610 | $76,940 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $53,130 | $43,110 | $58,910 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $48,120 | $34,660 | $57,620 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $45,600 | $43,280 | $53,370 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $45,270 | $33,090 | $59,870 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Guides to becoming a state trooper
Take a look at the steps you’ll need to take to become a state trooper in other states: