ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A FAST, EXCITING, AND REWARDING CAREER?

How to start your career as a CHP Officer

Minimum qualifications to apply:

• High School Diploma/GED

• A candidate must be authorized to work in the United States under federal law at the time of appointment. (Applicants may be in the process of obtaining legal authorization upon application, but will need to show proof of legal authorization to work in the U.S. under federal law before being accepted into the Academy)

• Age 20-35 (Applicants must be 35 on the final filing date of the examination cycle to which they are applying)

• No felony convictions

1) Create user profile (Link Below)

You must create a user profile before applying for the exam.

2) Choose a Division to apply through.  Click here to view the CHP Map.

• Once you submit your application, your testing date will be assigned and  based on the filing period and Division you have selected. 

• An applicant may only apply to one Division per filing period.

3) Testing Dates 2025 CADET Testing Schedule_060525.pdf

• You will be scheduled to take a Physical Ablities Test (PAT) and a Written Examination (PELLET-B).  Where you apply and test has no bearing on where you may be assigned upon successful completion at the academy.

• An applicant is free to choose any Division for the testing portion of the hiring process, once an appllicant has passed testing, the remainder of the hiring process will be completed in the Division where the applicant resides.
  

4) Take the Physical Abilities Test (PAT) and Written Exam.  Learn about the PAT and the Written Exam.

• The best way to prepare for success is to participate in your Division's Applicant Preparation Program. Check upcoming Seminars and Events here.

5) Complete Background investigation

Upon passing the PAT and the Written Exam, you will be invited via email to create an online profile to begin a thorough background investigation.

6) Medical and Psychological Evaluations 

Upon being cleared by your background investigation, you will need to complete both a Medical and Psychological evaluation.

7) Await Academy Invitation 

After completing the hiring process you are ready to attend the California Highway Patrol Academy located in West Sacramento, CA. An academy invitation is an official offer of employment to be hired as a cadet. Once accepted, you will await and report to the academy for training and begin your first steps in the exciting yet challenging journey of becoming a CHP Officer.

We strongly advise the application be completed through a desktop browser.

Check out our Cadet Applicant Study Guide (PDF)  and our CHP Careers Linktree for important insight and information on how to prepare you for the hiring process and the CHP Academy.

Click here to begin your journey to becoming a CHP Officer.

Check out our You are the CHP Brochure (PDF)

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​​If you are interested in diversity, challenges, and opportunities, the CHP invites you to apply to become a part of their professional organization. For more information about this outstanding career opportunity e-mail or call:

Email us at recruiting@chp.ca.gov

To speak with a Recruiter: 916-843-3275

TT/TDD 1-800-735-2929 EOE/ADA