SC Highway Patrol Employment Process

Before You Apply

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is currently accepting applications. Please read ALL instructions on the following pages carefully before applying.

Basic Requirements

At least 21 years of age before day one of Basic Training
A valid South Carolina Driver's License or a valid Driver's License from your current State
U.S. Citizen
High School Diploma or GED
20/20 vision OR no more than 20/200 corrected to 20/100 or below
NO CRIMINAL RECORD
Driving record should be clear of any suspension for the last 5 years as a result of alcoholic beverage or dangerous drug violation, or leaving the scene of an accident. The overall driving record will be evaluated placing emphasis on the severity, date and age, time span, and number of violations accumulated.

Employment Disqualifiers

Please read the following information carefully before applying. The list below includes the automatic disqualifiers. If you meet any of these, you are disqualified from employment.

Under 21 years of age at the time when recruits report to training academy
Not a United States Citizen
No High School Diploma or G.E.D.
Dishonorable Discharge from the military
Convicted of any crime punishable by imprisonment in a federal or a state prison
Convicted of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs within the past 5 years
Driving record should be clear of any suspension for the last 5 years as a result of alcoholic beverage or dangerous drug violation, or leaving the scene of an accident. The overall driving record will be evaluated placing emphasis on the severity, date and age, time span, and number of violations accumulated.
Any conviction of Criminal Domestic Violence
Cannot meet minimum vision standards: (20/20 vision OR no more than 20/200, corrected to 20/100 or below)
Any felony conviction (whether convicted as a juvenile or an adult)

Body Piercings and Tattoo Policy

Body piercings which are visible anytime while on duty and/or in uniform are prohibited. This does not apply to piercing of the ear lobes on female troopers/officers.

The display of any offensive image, phrase, or other expression contained within a Visible Tattoo/Body Art shall be prohibited. Offensive images, phrases, or other expressions shall include but not be limited to:.

Depictions of nudity, violence, or criminal activity;
Sexually explicit/vulgar art, words, or profane language;
Symbols likely to incite a strong negative reaction in any group; or
Initials, symbolism, or acronyms that represent criminal or historically oppressive organizations, gangs, or activities.

Visible Tattoos/Body Art may not contain any unapproved reference to SCDPS or any of its divisions or any political affiliation or message.

Tattoo Location:

Tattoos/Body Art are not permitted on the neck, face, head, or the area of the chest that would be visible while an SCDPS officer is wearing official attire or in uniform wearing a properly-fitting crew neck t-shirt.
Tattoos/Body Art are not permitted on the hands with the exception of a single band tattoo on one finger of either the right or left hand that cannot exceed 3/8 of an inch in width.

Appearance While in Uniform:

Except as specified in Section (IV)( B)(2)(b), under no circumstances shall a Tattoo/Body Art be seen by another while the officer is in any SCDPS uniform or off duty in a position to be recognized as an SCDPS officer (i.e., working special assignments or off duty assignments while considered to be representing the department in uniform or approved civilian attire).

Officers with approved and previously-defined Visible Tattoos have the following options to cover the Tattoo(s)/Body Art:

The Tattoo(s)/Body Art shall be covered by a Tattoo/Body Art cover-up sleeve without any design or logo that most closely matches the skin tone of the officer and completely covers the Tattoo(s)/Body Art. Cover-up sleeves shall be approved by the appropriate Division Director or his/her designee and provided by the officer. The officer shall ensure the cover-up sleeve remains clean, in good working condition, and professionally presentable to the public at all times.

Credit Standards

The credit history and financial conditions of the applicant will be reviewed. Credit history will not be a sole basis for disqualification. Below is a list of minimal credit standards. (If any of these apply to you, your application will become inactive until they are resolved.)

An unsatisfied judgment
An unpaid State or Federal tax lien
Accounts written off as bad debt with a remaining balance
Accounts turned over to a collection agency with a remaining balance
Voluntary or involuntary repossessions with a remaining balance
A student loan in default
An account with a payment 120 days past due with a remaining balance
A foreclosure account with a remaining balance
An account “included in bankruptcy” with a remaining balance

Applicants who are given the opportunity to review their credit reports may submit documentation which indicates that they have taken responsibility for the accounts in question. (For example, paid in full receipts/letters, payment plan letters.)

Out of State Applicants

As you take part in this hiring process, please understand the following:

You must make several different trips to Columbia, SC to complete this hiring process. These trips are at the expense of the applicant.
You cannot do multiple steps on one visit.
All applicants must undergo a thorough state agency background investigation.
You will need to establish South Carolina Residency and acquire a South Carolina Driver’s License before your hire date.
Out of State Law Enforcement Certifications are not recognized. You must complete the SC Criminal Justice/SCHP Basic Training program.

How to Join

The employment process to become a State Trooper is one of the most rigorous and challenging employment processes in law enforcement. It all begins with your online State Application, and all of the remaining steps that follow will be based on it. Meticulous attention to detail, accuracy, and honesty will ensure you move forward in this process.

Step 1: Submitting Your Application

Once you have read and agreed to the disqualifiers and residency requirements in the links above, and you are ready to apply.

Visit the SC Careers page to submit your application.

Please note: You will need to set up an account with a username and password BEFORE you apply.

Fill out all information on the application and ensure you have a valid e-mail address included, as all correspondence will be done through e-mail.

Step 2: Gathering Required Documents

Once you have submitted an application at careers.sc.gov, and met all requirements, you will be sent an e-mail detailing the next steps in the employment process. Start gathering the items now, and have them ready to be submitted once you complete step one.

Required Documents

Copy of high school diploma or GED certificate
Certified copy of college transcripts (if applicable)
Copy of DD214 if you have served in the military
Copy of birth certificate or naturalization certificate (if applicable)
Copy of your South Carolina driver's license
If you are an out-of-state applicant with a driver's license from a different state, you will need to submit a certified copy of your driver's license for that state and any other state you have held a license in with in the past 5 years.

Step 3: Employment and Selection

There are several phases in the employment and selection process. Find out more about each phase below.

Phase 1

Testing – Physical Ability Test and Nelson Denny written test (Same Day)
- Note: If you are a South Carolina Class 1 Officer, you will not be required to take the Nelson Denny written test.
Polygraph Examination

Phase 2

Background Investigation
Professional Interview (Oral Interview Board)

Phase 3

Medical and Psychological Testing
Employment Offer

Hear more about the employment process in the video below:

Step 4: Beginning Your New Law Enforcement Career

Once you submit all documentation, pass all the requirements, and receive an employment offer of employment, you will start your law enforcement training.

Watch the video below to see a preview of the training you will receive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can’t find my Birth Certificate/High School Diploma/DD214, etc. before my testing date?

You will need to obtain each document listed, however, if you are unable to have them before your testing date, please let us know and we can work with you or reschedule you for a later date to give you more time.

What is the length of time at the CJA and SCHP Training?

Training is currently 23 weeks for uncertified applicants and 7 weeks for pre-certified South Carolina Class One Officer applicants. (1 week of orientation and 6 weeks of SCHP training).

I just applied, what should I expect next?

If your application passes the minimum requirements, look for an e-mail or phone call within the next week or so with more information from the SCHP Employment Office. Be sure to check your spam and junk e-mail box as well.

Do you accept out-of-state law enforcement?

Yes. Certified out-of-state law enforcement officers will receive credit for LE service time. The out-of-state LE service time must be as a certified law enforcement officer who has completed a basic training course/class equivalent to SC LE Class 1 with provided documentation. Applicants will be required to complete a Special Basic course at the SC Criminal Justice Academy to transfer their LE Certification. The applicant may be eligible for up to 15 years of law enforcement service time to determine a starting salary. Learn more on SCHP’s salary and benefits breakdown on this webpage.

Do candidates get to select their duty locations?

Candidates may choose as many counties as they are eligible for based on the agency’s residence policy if they are unable to relocate or can choose to work anywhere in the state if they are willing to relocate.

Is there an age cap?

The South Carolina Highway Patrol does not have an age restrictions so long as the recruit can complete all physical testing requirements.

How long does it take to get hired?

Hiring cycles generally coincide with the next available SCHP Patrol/Criminal Justice Academy (CJA) classes.

What happens if I am not selected for employment?

If you are not selected you may generally be able to re-apply within six months of your rejection letter, unless your rejection was based on one of the following factors:

ANY falsification of application discovered during process: Applicants will be ineligible to re-apply for 2 years from date on rejection letter.
Two (2) Physical Agility Test (PAT) failures within a twelve (12) month period: Applicants will be ineligible to re-apply for 1 year from date on rejection letter.
Two (2) Written Examination test failures within a twelve (12) month period: Applicants will be ineligible to re-apply for 1 year from date on rejection letter.
Non-selection by the Oral Interview Board: Applicants who fail to get the minimum required score during their interview will be ineligible to re-apply for 1 year from date on rejection letter.

Do I have to stay at the academy during training?

Yes, all recruits will stay at the academy from Sunday evenings to Friday afternoons. Trainees are required to leave during the weekends due to the academy being closed.

Will I be paid during training?

Yes, trooper trainees will receive pay and benefits from the date of hire.

What is required for the Physical Ability Test (PAT)?

You can find out more about the PAT here

How should I dress for my scheduled PAT test

Dress as you would to work out or exercise, including proper athletic footwear.

Most Common Issues During the Application Process

Incomplete State Application

Please be very thorough and take your time filling out every single question on application. Pay very close attention to detail. If your state application is missing dates, phone numbers, full addresses for references, or if it has unexplained gaps/dates in employment periods it will not move forward in the process.

Adding a resume does not take the place of a complete application. An incomplete state application with a detailed resume attached is not satisfactory. YES: You must list ALL Employment History.

Spelling and Grammar

An application riddled with misspellings and grammar errors may not move forward in the employment process.

Proof read your application before submitting!

Incomplete Work and Education History

If you fail to disclose a past employer and one is discovered during your background investigation or polygraph, or if you have been terminated or forced to resign from any position in lieu of a termination at any time and you do not disclose this, it is considered a falsification of your application. This will lead to your application not moving forward in the process.

Be 100% honest while filling out the Application. List ALL of your education history starting with your High School/GED information (Dates, Name…..etc) and ALL Employment History.

If you have been terminated from any employment, at any time, be honest and list it. A prior employment termination DOES NOT exclude you from employment with the SCHP, but not being honest about it does!

Drug Use and Criminal History

Please fully familiarize yourself with our minimum requirements for employment. Answer all drug questions and all criminal history questions honestly. Falsifications discovered on any of these questions will lead to the termination of your employment process. Be 100% honest while filling out the application.

E-Mails going to “Junk" or "Spam" Folder

We are discovering that more and more of our e-mails to applicants that include applications, appointments, forms…etc are ending up in these “Junk/Spam" folders and applicants are missing important information from the SCHP.

Check your e-mail to include your “Junk/Spam” to ensure you don’t miss anything.

Do You Have More Questions?

If you have any other questions or need help before filling out your State Application online, please contact an SCHP Recruiter through e-mail at: schprecruiter@scdps.gov.

South Carolina Department of Public Safety