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Become a California Highway Patrol Officer: Minimum Qualifications
Age:
20-35 years of age (as of written test date).
Vision:
The candidate must read from a standard Eye Test chart.
If eyeglasses or hard contact lenses are worn, uncorrected vision must be no less than 20/40 in each eye and corrected to 20/20 in each eye. Applicants who have successfully worn soft contact lenses for the past 12 months are not required to meet an uncorrected standard, as long as their corrected vision is 20/20 in each eye. Normal color vision is required as assessed by the Farnsworth-Munsell D-15 test. An X-Chrom Lens is prohibited.
Health:
Good health. Must be free from any physical, mental or emotional condition that would prohibit the full performance of all the essential duties and functions of a CHP officer.
Education:
High school diploma, GED, or California High School Proficiency Examination.
Highly desirable: possession of a degree, Associate of Arts or higher, from an accredited college; also, additional course work or advanced skills in the following areas: English, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary and composition; reading and comprehension; mathematics (used for traffic accident calculations); typing and computer skills (many officers use computers for reports, and most patrol vehicles currently have or will have computers); bilingual; physical fitness; other helpful courses may be social sciences such as sociology and psychology.
Conduct:
No felony convictions and good personal conduct; must possess a California driver license upon appointment to the Academy. The CHP has strict guidelines relating to the personal characteristics required for employment as a law enforcement officer. During the QAP Oral Interview, and later during the Background Investigation, a candidate is evaluated relative to an established set of automatic disqualification criteria. Candidates are asked questions relating to the RECENCY AND FREQUENCY of traffic citations, at-fault automobile collisions, illegal drug usage, arrests and convictions.
If you have any concerns regarding whether you may have an issue in your background which may lead to disqualification, it is highly recommended that you contact the CHP Applicant Investigation Unit for assistance PRIOR TO beginning the selection process. While our investigators cannot divulge the CHP's specific disqualification criteria, through a candid dialogue with you they can provide guidance and assistance in helping you evaluate your personal characteristics as they relate to the CHP's automatic disqualification criteria. The Cadet Hiring Unit can be reached Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) at (916) 375-2180.
Citizenship:
United States Citizen or permanent resident immigrant who is eligible and has applied for citizenship; must be a United States citizen at time of appointment.
For additional information and applications, contact the CHP at:
1-888-4A CHP JOB
(1-888-422-4756)
TT/TDD
1-800-735-2929
EOE/ADA
or by e-mail