By: All Criminal Justice Schools Staff
Updated: January 8, 2026
Learn how to become a state trooper in North Carolina
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), North Carolina has the eighth largest employment of police and sheriff’s patrol officers in the U.S., employing some 21,650 officers. NC state troopers are fully sworn officers with authority statewide, not just on highways, and the benefit package for state troopers through the State Law Enforcement Officers’ Retirement System (LEORS), is notable for pensions being paid based on years of service averaged on the highest-paying of those years.
State troopers in North Carolina work under the umbrella of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), which itself falls under a larger structure in state government. State Troopers report up through the ranks of the NCSHP, usually to a Sergeant, who reports upward through the ranks until the chain of command ends at Colonel. The Colonel reports to the Secretary of the NC Department of Public Safety (DPS), which is the overseeing agency for the NCSHP. The DPS also oversees state prisons, emergency management, juvenile justice and Alcohol Law Enforcement agencies within the state.
Here are the education and training steps you’ll need to take in order to join this group of law enforcement officers in North Carolina.
In this article
Requirements for state troopers in North Carolina
Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria established by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) and the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission. Here’s an overview:
Basic eligibility requirements
- Age: Applicants must be at least 21 years old and not older than 39 at the start of Basic School.
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Education: A high school diploma or GED is required. While not mandatory, a college degree may be preferred and may enhance hiring prospects.
- License: Must possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license.
- Residency: Must be a resident of North Carolina at the time training begins and willing to live and work anywhere in the state.
- Vision: Corrected vision must be at least 20/20 in each eye. Uncorrected vision should not be worse than 20/100 in each eye.
Preferred experience requirements
- An associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, public safety or a related field is not required, but a degree may strengthen your application and show readiness for the academic and legal side of training.
- Candidates with experience in local or federal law enforcement, military police or combat arms or National Guard or Reserve units experience demonstrates familiarity with chain of command, discipline and high-stress situations.
- Volunteer work, leadership role, or clean background beyond just “meeting the minimum” along with letters of recommendation from community leaders, supervisors or law enforcement officers may be a plus.
- Candidates who score higher than the minimum on the Cooper Fitness Test may be considered more prepared for the physical demands of the academy.
- Beyond just having a license, showing a clean or near-perfect driving history may be considered a reflection of good judgment and responsibility.
Physical fitness requirements
North Carolina State Trooper candidates must successfully pass the Cooper Physical Fitness Test, a standardized assessment widely used in law enforcement to evaluate physical readiness. This test measures cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and muscular endurance through a series of exercises. The Cooper Test typically includes the following events:
- 1.5-mile run: Assesses cardiovascular endurance.
- Push-ps: Measures upper body muscular endurance.
- Sit-ups: Evaluates core strength and endurance.
Performance standards for fitness events are adjusted based on the candidate’s age and gender. While specific minimum requirements can vary, many law enforcement agencies require candidates to meet or exceed the 50th percentile based on normative data.
What may disqualify you
- Criminal record: Applicants must not have any felony convictions or serious misdemeanor offenses.
- Driving record: Convictions for driving while impaired or intoxicated are disqualifiers.
- Pending charges: Applicants should not have any pending criminal or traffic charges.
Education requirements
Candidates must meet specific educational requirements. The minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate. This aligns with the standards set by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission for law enforcement officers statewide.
A high school diploma or GED is mandatory, but possessing a college degree is not required to apply. However, candidates with an associate or bachelor’s degree, especially in fields like criminal justice or public safety, may have enhanced prospects during the selection process and for future promotions within the agency.
Additionally, applicants must demonstrate a reading comprehension level of at least the 10th grade, as assessed by standardized testing. This ensures that candidates can effectively understand and correctly interpret the legal and procedural materials essential for the role.
Knowing the difference between North Carolina law enforcement officers
Since law enforcement officials in North Carolina perform different duties and are supervised by potentially different agencies, it’s important to understand the basic differences between the types of law enforcement personnel using the name. Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of state troopers, sheriff’s patrol deputies, and municipal police officers in North Carolina:
State troopers:
Jurisdiction: Entire state of North Carolina
Employer: NC Dept. of Public Safety
(NCSHP Division)
Main duties: Enforce traffic laws on highways, investigate crashes, assist with statewide emergencies and support local law enforcement
Reports to: Commander of the Highway Patrol
Notable: Troopers drive solo patrol cars statewide and may be relocated based on need
Police officers:
Jurisdiction: Specific city or municipality
Employer: Police Chief and city officials
Main duties: Enforce laws within city limits, respond to 911 calls, conduct investigations and patrol neighborhoods
Reports to: City Police Chief
Notable: Many municipal police departments have specialized units such as K-9, cybercrime and SWAT
Sheriff’s patrol officers:
Jurisdiction: Entire county including unincorporated areas
Employer: Elected County Sheriff
Main duties: Enforce laws in unincorporated areas, serve civil processes and warrants, transport inmates and operate county jails
Reports to: Elected County Sheriff
Notable: Sheriff is the only elected law enforcement role in NC
Next steps after applying
After applying to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, here’s what typically happens next:
Application review
- Once you complete the application, it’s reviewed by a recruiting officer
Complete a reading comprehension test
- The test result must indicate at least a 10th-grade reading level
Take the Cooper Fitness Test
- Pass the Cooper Institute physical fitness test with a minimum score of 50%, adjusted for age and gender
Pass the Law Enforcement Candidate Record Test
- Successfully take a written test measuring verbal skills and memory
Undergo a polygraph test
- Pass a lie detector exam
Pass an exhaustive background check
- Complete a thorough background check, including local, state and FBI records
Interview with the Applicant Review Board
- Appear for—and successfully complete—an interview with the Applicant Review Board
Pass a medical and psychological evaluation
- Pass an intensive medical exam and psychological evaluation
Once you complete all of the above steps you’re ready to enter the NCSHP Training Academy.
What happens at the NCSHP Academy?
The training facility for North Carolina state troopers is officially known as the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Training Academy and is located in Raleigh. The academy serves as the central hub for trooper training in the state, offering programs such as the Basic Patrol School and the Basic Hybrid School. The facility includes various amenities to support cadet development, including dormitories, classrooms and specialized training areas. The training program for troopers varies based on prior law enforcement experience:
Basic Patrol School: This is a 12-week program conducted at the NCSHP Training Academy, designed for individuals who have already completed Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) and obtained certification.
Basic Hybrid School: For applicants without prior BLET certification, this path involves:
- Completing the BLET program at a local community college, which typically spans approximately 20 weeks and encompasses 868 hours of instruction.
- Attending the 12-week Basic Patrol School at the NCSHP Training Academy in Raleigh
Recruits will study the following curriculum:
- Legal studies: North Carolina criminal and traffic laws, arrest procedures and constitutional law.
- Firearms training: Safe handling, marksmanship and qualification with service weapons.
- Driver training: Emergency vehicle operations and pursuit driving techniques.
- Physical fitness: Regular conditioning to meet the physical demands of the role.
- Defensive tactics: Self-defense techniques and suspect control methods.
- Ethics and professionalism: Emphasis on integrity, accountability and community relations.
- Crisis intervention: Handling situations involving mental health crises and de-escalation strategies.
- Cultural diversity: Training to effectively serve diverse communities.
Once you successfully complete the training program, you’ll be sworn in as North Carolina State Trooper and begin your assignment across the state.
What happens after graduation?
Attend the swearing-in ceremony
- You’ll be formally sworn in as a North Carolina State Trooper
- You’ll receive your badge, service weapon, hat and patrol car if you’re part of a take-home unit
Enter the Field Training Officer (FTO) Program for further study
The program lasts for several weeks and is an on-the-job probationary period evaluation, including:
- Real-world traffic stops
- Crash investigations
- Report writing
- Radio communication
- Public interactions
Receive a duty assignment
- After field training, troopers receive their permanent duty assignment
- Assignments are based on agency needs, but they may consider a cadet’s home county or region, or special skills or preferences
Enter a one-year probationary period
- Probationary status lasts for 12 months
- During this time, they must prove their competency and judgment in the field and maintain good conduct while meeting performance standards
Advancing in your state trooper career
Advancing your career as a North Carolina State Trooper involves a structured progression through ranks, based on experience, performance and additional qualifications. Here’s an overview of the typical career path and advancement opportunities within the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP):
Pursue a degree
While not required, higher education may greatly help and may consist of earning:
- An associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration or a related field
- A master’s degree, especially for upper-level leadership roles
Professional development
Programs such as the Administrative Officers Management Program (AOMP) earn 15 college credits and a certificate of completion. This 12-week academic program is held at the NCSHP Training Academy in Raleigh, and enhances leadership and management skills in preparation of administrative positions.
Apply for promotions
Promotions typically follow this path:
| Rank | How you get there |
|---|---|
| Trooper Cadet | Undergo training at the NCSHP Academy in Raleigh |
| Probationary Trooper | Completes field training under supervision |
| Trooper | Perform standard patrol duties and law enforcement responsibilities |
| Senior Trooper | Take on additional responsibilities, including mentoring new troopers and handling more complex assignments |
| Master Trooper | Recognized for experience and leadership; may act as a field training officer or take on specialized roles |
| Sergeant | Supervise a shift within a patrol district, overseeing troopers’ activities |
| First Sergeant | Command a patrol district, managing operations and personnel |
| Lieutenant | Assist in troop-level management, overseeing multiple districts or specialized units |
| Captain | Lead an entire troop, responsible for strategic planning and coordination |
| Major | Oversee major divisions such as Support, Operations, Training or Professional Standards |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Serve as Deputy Commander or Director of Support Operations |
| Colonel | Serve as the Commander of the NCSHP, appointed by the Governor |
Factors influencing promotion:
- Experience: Time-in-service is a fundamental criterion, with certain ranks requiring minimum years of service.
- Performance evaluations: Consistent, high-quality performance can accelerate promotion opportunities.
- Education: While not mandatory, higher education may be advantageous. Programs such as the Administrative Officers Management Program at NC State University offer specialized training for public safety professionals seeking advancement.
- Special assignments: Engaging in specialized units or roles, such as training officer, may provide experience that supports promotion.
North Carolina state trooper salaries and job outlook
The annual median wage of state troopers in North Carolina may not be as high as other states, according to the BLS, but North Carolina’s salary is ample when compared to the state’s lower than average cost of living. Take a look at median salaries for North Carolina-based police and sheriff’s officers:
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
10%$44,850
25%$49,160
50%$58,030Median
75%$68,570
90%$80,920
Median Hourly Wage$28
Job growth3.1%
Total Employment21,650
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $65,800 | $50,070 | $80,990 |
| Burlington, NC | $65,440 | $55,730 | $83,310 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $65,230 | $49,300 | $89,010 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $60,160 | $48,290 | $80,650 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $59,840 | $47,980 | $76,660 |
| Greenville, NC | $56,840 | $45,330 | $70,840 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $55,840 | $40,040 | $80,240 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $54,990 | $43,990 | $83,550 |
| Asheville, NC | $54,270 | $45,680 | $78,620 |
| Wilmington, NC | $53,600 | $47,040 | $74,050 |
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.
Job outlook for North Carolina
The job growth outlook for state troopers in North Carolina is better than the national average for job growth, said O*Net, a subsidiary of the BLS. While the national job growth rate for police and sheriff’s patrol officers is 3.1% through 2034, O*Net reported an 11% projected growth through 2030 for North Carolina, which adds an additional 1,920 officers to the field.
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: