legal · United States edition
It’s easy to be a Police Officer.
Becoming a police officer in the US typically needs only a high school diploma, though many departments now prefer some college credit. After passing written, physical, background, polygraph and psychological screening, recruits complete a state-certified academy (12-26 weeks) followed by 12-18 months of field training. Median pay is $76,210 (2025), with certification tied to the hiring state.
Last verified Version 1By Editorial Team
Key facts
United States- Time to qualify
1–2 years
About 1 to 2 years start to finish: 2 to 6 months for the multi-stage hiring process (written exam, physical agility test, background investigation, polygraph, psychological and medical evaluation), then a state-certified academy running 12 to 26 weeks depending on the state, then 12 to 18 months as a probationary officer under a Field Training Officer (FTO) before you're a fully independent patrol officer.
- Cost to qualify
$0 – $3,872
Most officers pay nothing out of pocket: departments hire first, then pay recruits an academy salary while sending them through a state-certified academy -- that is the $0 end of the range. The cost above applies only if you attend an independent, self-sponsored academy before being hired, which some states allow as a way to become a more competitive applicant. Two fetched examples: Navarro College's Basic Peace Officer Course in Texas costs $2,905.43 total (tuition, uniforms, textbooks, background check, CPR certification and firearms ammunition included); Eastern Florida State College's 770-clock-hour Law Enforcement Academy costs $3,871.95 for Florida residents (tuition, screening fee, physical abilities test, books, lab fees and uniforms). On top of either route, expect $500-$1,500 for additional uniforms and gear once hired.
All figures apply to United States. Salaries, licensing, and timelines differ by country — where other editions exist, switch between them at the top of the page.
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How to become a Police Officer — step by step
- 1
Confirm baseline eligibility Ongoing prerequisite
Age (usually 21+), U.S. citizenship or eligible permanent residency, a valid driver's license and a clean criminal record. Check the specific department's posting -- minimums vary by agency, not just by state.
- 2
Apply and pass the written and physical tests 2 to 8 weeks
Most departments start with a written exam and a physical agility test before moving candidates to interviews. Study guides and practice agility standards are published by most agencies and by Discover Policing.
- 3
Complete background investigation, polygraph, psychological and medical screening 2 to 6 months
The longest and most selective stage. Investigators verify your history, employment and references; a polygraph probes past drug use and honesty; a licensed psychologist screens for suitability; a medical exam confirms fitness for duty.
- 4
Receive a conditional offer and attend the academy 12 to 26 weeks
Once hired, most departments pay you a recruit salary while you attend a state POST-certified academy covering law, firearms, defensive tactics, driving, and emergency response.
- 5
Graduate and complete Field Training 12 to 18 months
Academy graduation makes you eligible to be sworn in, but you work under an FTO's direct supervision through a probationary period before you patrol independently.
- 6
Choose a track after probation Ongoing
Patrol, K-9, traffic, detective and other specialized units typically open up once you're off probation, usually through an internal application or promotional process rather than automatically.
Requirements to be a Police Officer
- High school diploma or GEDeducationRequired
The minimum in most states. A growing number of departments prefer or require 60 college credits or an associate degree, and some offer extra pay for a bachelor's degree, but a diploma or GED alone still qualifies you to apply almost everywhere.
- Baseline eligibility: age, citizenship, driving recordcertificationRequired
Most agencies require you to be at least 21 (some accept 18-20 for certain roles), a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who has applied for citizenship, and hold a valid driver's license with no recent reckless-driving or DWI/DUI convictions.
- Background investigation, polygraph and psychological evaluationcertificationRequired
Felony convictions, serious misdemeanors, illegal drug use (current or past), gang affiliation, dishonorable military discharge, and dishonesty during the polygraph or application are common automatic disqualifiers. A licensed psychologist also administers standardized tests (commonly the MMPI-2 or CPI) plus a clinical interview.
- Physical fitness / agility testskillRequired
Agencies test the physical abilities needed for the job directly -- typically a timed run, sit-ups/push-ups, and an obstacle or agility course. Standards vary by department but failing this stage is a common early washout point.
- State POST-certified academy traininglicenseRequired
Every state has a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) board or equivalent setting minimum curriculum and hours; academies run 12 to 26 weeks depending on the state. Certification does not automatically transfer if you move states -- each state evaluates lateral transfers case by case, and some require a bridge course even for experienced officers.
- Field Training Officer (FTO) program and probationexperienceRequired
After the academy you work 12 to 18 months as a probationary officer under a Field Training Officer's direct supervision. Performance evaluations during this period determine whether you get permanent appointment -- academy graduation is not the finish line.
A day in the life of a Police Officer
A patrol shift starts with roll call and equipment checks, then hours of proactive patrol, traffic stops and dispatched calls that range from routine to urgent with no advance warning. Report-writing is a real and recurring part of the day -- every stop, arrest and use-of-force incident needs documentation that holds up later. Shifts rotate through nights, weekends and holidays for most of a career, and overtime for court appearances or ongoing incidents is common. The emotional range within a single shift can be wide: a welfare check, a traffic stop, and a critical incident can all happen within a few hours of each other.
Is it worth it to be a Police Officer?
Worth it if you want a stable, above-median salary ($76,210 median, no degree required), a clear promotion and specialization ladder, and don't mind rotating or night shifts. It is not for you if you want a 9-to-5 routine, dislike close public scrutiny of your daily decisions, or would struggle with the psychological demands of the job -- exposure to trauma, use-of-force decisions made in seconds, and a rigorous background/polygraph/psych screening process that disqualifies a large share of applicants before they ever reach the academy. Growth is only average (3% through 2034), so it's a stable career, not a fast-growing one.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a criminal justice degree is required -- a high school diploma or GED still qualifies you almost everywhere.
- Paying for a private, self-sponsored academy before applying anywhere, when most departments hire first and pay you a recruit salary through their own academy.
- Being dishonest on the background investigation or polygraph about past drug use or minor infractions -- honesty about a disclosable issue is often survivable; getting caught concealing one usually is not.
- Not training specifically for the physical agility test -- it eliminates otherwise-qualified candidates every hiring cycle.
- Assuming academy graduation means you're done -- the 12-to-18-month Field Training and probation period is where many new hires are actually let go.
- Not checking state-specific POST reciprocity before relocating -- certification does not automatically transfer, and some states require a full bridge course even for experienced officers.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a college degree to become a police officer?
No. A high school diploma or GED is the minimum in most states. Some departments prefer or require 60 college credits or an associate degree, and a bachelor's degree can mean extra pay, but it is rarely a hard requirement to be hired.
How much does police academy training cost?
For most recruits, nothing -- departments hire first and pay you a recruit salary while you attend a state-certified academy. If you attend an independent academy before being hired (allowed in some states to strengthen your application), expect roughly $2,900 to $3,900 based on two fetched examples, plus uniforms and gear.
How long does the whole process take?
Typically 1 to 2 years end to end: 2 to 6 months of hiring screening, 12 to 26 weeks of academy training, then 12 to 18 months of field training and probation before you're a fully independent officer.
Does my certification transfer if I move to another state?
Not automatically. Each state's POST board evaluates out-of-state officers case by case; most offer a reciprocity or bridge-training path that's shorter than the full academy, but none guarantee automatic recognition.
How much do police officers earn?
The BLS OEWS median for May 2025 is $76,210 a year. The middle half of the profession earns between $59,290 and $97,600; the bottom 10 percent earns under $47,510 and the top 10 percent over $115,120 -- pay varies significantly by department, shift differential and overtime.
What disqualifies an applicant during the background check?
Felony convictions, serious misdemeanors (especially domestic violence or sexual offenses), current or past illegal drug use, gang affiliation, dishonorable military discharge, and dishonesty on the application or polygraph are the most common automatic disqualifiers. Agencies use discretion on older or less severe infractions.
Sources
Every figure on this page traces to one of these primary sources.
- 1Basic Peace Officer Course tuition — Navarro College Police Academy · accessed August 31, 2026
- 2Basic Requirements to become a police officer — Discover Policing (IADLEST) · accessed August 31, 2026
- 3Law Enforcement Academy estimated expenses — Eastern Florida State College · accessed August 31, 2026
- 4Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (33-3051) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · accessed August 31, 2026
- 5Occupational Outlook Handbook: Police and Detectives — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · accessed August 31, 2026
- 6Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (33-3051.00) Summary Report — O*NET OnLine / U.S. Department of Labor · accessed August 31, 2026
- 7The Hiring Process — Discover Policing (IADLEST) · accessed August 31, 2026