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Trooper Career · Cadet Testing & Hiring Process
Before beginning the testing process, you must submit an application. Applications should be sent to:
Washington State Patrol
Human Resource Division
PO Box 42620
Olympia WA 98504-2620
Once the application has been received in our office, it will be reviewed and a letter sent to the applicant notifying them if their application has been accepted. If the application was accepted, they will also be notified of their testing date.
The trooper cadet testing process consists of four phases:
   
Phase One
Phase one consists of two written tests and the Cooper Institute Physical Fitness Test.
Written Tests:
- The first test is designed to evaluate an applicant’s judgment and common sense. The test contains situational questions with multiple-choice answers.
- The second test is designed to evaluate the applicant’s observation, written communication, and reading skills. This test identifies similarities of an applicant’s work preference and experience in comparison to those of persons who have been successful in a police organization. See Phase One Preparation Guide.
Physical Fitness Test:
Refer to the fitness video for demonstrations of the following three tests:
 One Minute Push up:
- The applicant will get into the front leaning rest position on the floor and perform one push up to properly locate the foam block position in relationship to their chest as demonstrated in the video.
- The foam block will be approximately even with the hands of the applicant.
- The applicant will begin by lowering the entire body as a unit while maintaining a generally straight line from the shoulders to the feet.
- Lower the body until the chest comes in contact with the foam block.
- Raise the body back to the start position for one repetition.
- The only rest position is the front leaning rest position, with the body straight from the shoulders to the feet. If this position is broken by raising the buttocks or sagging in the middle, the test will be over.
- The applicant will do as many correct pushups as they can in one minute.
One Minute Sit up:
- Using mats placed on the ground, the applicant will lie on their back with their knees bent at a 90-degree angle (or greater).
- The feet of the applicant submitting to the test will be held to the ground by an assisting applicant.
- The applicant’s fingers MUST remain interlocked behind the applicant’s head throughout the exercise.
- The start position will be the down position.
- At the command “Go,” the applicant will begin by raising their body until their elbows touch their knees, and will then lower their body until their shoulder blades touch the ground. This counts as one repetition.
- The only rest position is the up position. However, applicants cannot maintain that position by holding the knees in any way.
- The hips are required to remain in contact with the ground during the exercise.
- The applicant will do as many correct sit-ups as they can in one minute.
1.5 Mile Run:
- The test will be conducted using a mostly level course.
- A grader will give the command “Go” and will start a stopwatch.
- The applicant must complete the run without assistance.
- A grader will call out the time as the applicants cross the finish line.
*Applicants are required to pass all three tests in order to continue to the next phase.
Refer to the Cooper Institute Physical Fitness Test and Norms for Law Enforcement Standards.
What to wear during Phase One testing:
Business attire and bring athletic clothing for the physical fitness portion of the test.
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Phase Two
Upon completion of phase 1, applicants will be notified if they qualify to advance to phase 2. If the applicant qualifies for phase 2 testing, they will be scheduled within the same month as the phase 1 testing was conducted.
Phase two of the testing process consists of an oral board interview.
The oral board interview consists of general personal background questions and situational questions requiring the applicant to formulate a response to solve or deal with a given problem.
Applicants are required to bring copies of the following documents to their oral board interview:
- Birth Certificate
- Drivers License
- Five year complete driving record from the Department of Licensing. This is available on-line by visiting DOL’s website http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/requestyourrecord.html
- Military Discharge Certificate (DD-214 form, page - member 4)
- Personal History & Background Questionnaire completed in full:
- SEALED Official College Degrees obtained
- SEALED Official High School Transcripts or SEALED Certificate of successful completion of a GED
- Social Security Card
At this phase in the testing, the applicant’s height and weight will be confirmed to ensure they meet departmental standards.
Applicants may be notified if their scores advanced them into phase three upon completion of the oral board interview.
What to wear during Phase Two testing:
Business attire.
Phase three consists of a pre-employment polygraph examination and an extensive background investigation. All applicants are required to submit to a pre-employment polygraph examination. Once the polygraph has been completed, the background investigation begins.
The background investigation solicits information about the applicant by contacting personal references, employers, neighbors, friends, school, law enforcement agencies, etc. The background investigation averages 2 to 3 months to complete.
Applicants will be notified by mail whether or not their accumulative scores will advance them to an eligibility roster. Approximately two months before hiring begins, applicants on the eligibility roster may be given a conditional offer of employment. Hiring of the applicant is contingent upon the successful completion of phase four.
What to wear during Phase Three testing:
Business attire.
Phase four consists of the following:
- Medical examination
- Post offer psychological test
- Psychological interview with the department psychologist
All applicants are required to provide evidence of a current TB (Tuberculosis) test.
What to wear during Phase Four testing:
Business attire.
Additional Information
Applicants may only test three times in a 12 month period.
Applicants who have failed during one of the phases may reapply as follows:
- Phase one – 30 days from the test date
- Phase two – 30 days from the oral board interview
- Phase three – 1 year from the date of the applicant’s notification letter
- Phase four – To be determined by review by the Human Resource Division Commander
Note: Applications are only valid for 90 days. If you have applied more than 90 days ago, you will be required to submit a new application.
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