Tennessee Highway Patrol to Begin Accepting Applications for New Trooper Cadet Class

NASHVILLE –- The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) announced it will soon begin accepting applications for the next Trooper Cadet Academy. Men and women interested in a career as a state trooper can begin the application process online only beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24, through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, June 30. The new Trooper Cadet class is scheduled to begin February 1, 2016.

Individuals interested in applying for the position of state trooper must be at least 21 years old, a U.S. Citizen and have a high school diploma or equivalent.  Two years of college or military or previous law enforcement experience is preferred. No applicants with felony convictions will be considered. 

Legislation enacted in October 2012, called the Tennessee Excellence, Accountability and Management Act (TEAM Act), revised the hiring method to incorporate an interview process that tests an applicant’s knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies.  As a result, selected applicants will be required to successfully pass the physical agility test prior to being admitted for an interview. There is no longer an examination portion to qualify for the state trooper position.  The THP anticipates the agility test and interview appointments to begin September 2015.      

If hired, individuals must obtain a valid Tennessee driver’s license prior to the class start date February 1, 2016, and are required to successfully complete a Level II background investigation, which includes a credit check and polygraph test.  Recruits must also pass a psychological and medical examination, including a drug screening.

Those interested in and qualified for the position of state trooper should submit an employment application to the Tennessee Department of Human Resources. All applicants must apply online at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/tennessee/default.cfm beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24. The application link will not be activated until 12:01 a.m. on June 24.  Applications will not be accepted after June 30. Once approved by the Department of Human Resources, applicants will be notified of their qualification status via email.

There are currently 883 authorized commissioned officer positions within the THP.  Trooper cadets will be assigned to vacant positions across the state upon graduation.  The starting salary for a trooper cadet during the training academy is $2,733 per month. The Trooper Cadet Class will last 20 weeks.  

Upon graduation and commissioning as a Tennessee state trooper, the salary will increase to $3,024 per month and include a paid pension plan, low cost health insurance and paid holidays. Troopers are also provided a uniform, equipment and patrol vehicles.  

With regular pay increases, a state trooper can earn $53,928 per year after 10 years of service under the current pay structure. 

For additional information on becoming a state trooper, visit http://www.tn.gov/safety/thp/school.shtml  

For more information about applications and testing, interested individuals are encouraged to contact the Tennessee Department of Human Resources Applicant Services Division at (615) 741-4841.     

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.