How to become a corrections officer in New York
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) hires state corrections officers under the title Correction Officer Trainee (advances to Correction Officer, Grade 15). New officers start at $66,365 a year, rising to $84,024 after about 7 years. You must be at least 18.
Pay
| Starting salary | $66,365 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $84,024 |
| Years to top | 7 |
| Scale effective | 2025-05-29 |
Start is paid during the Academy and first year; $69,762 after one year; job rate $84,024 (G-15) after 7 years. Range includes a $5,000 statewide geographic pay. Extra location pay: +$4,623 in NYC/Nassau/Suffolk/Rockland/Westchester, +$1,846 in Dutchess/Orange/Putnam. Inconvenience, pre-shift briefing, expanded duty and hazardous duty pay also possible.
Source:[doccs.ny.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 18
- Education: High school diploma, high school equivalency diploma (e.g. GED), or higher degree
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- No felony convictions
- Pass background investigation (character and fitness), psychological evaluation, medical standards evaluation, medical exam and substance abuse screening
- No cannabis use (tested pre-employment)
- NYS residency no longer required for appointments on or after September 1, 2025
Source:[cs.ny.gov]
Hiring process
- Apply to the continuous-recruitment Civil Service exam (online training and experience questionnaire, pass = 70)
- Background investigation and fingerprinting (applicant pays fee)
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical standards evaluation, medical exam and drug screening
- Appointment as Correction Officer Trainee and Academy
Source:[cs.ny.gov]
Entrance exam
Correction Officer Trainee exam (No. 20-615010; Spanish Language 20-616010). Online training and experience questionnaire, not a written multiple-choice test; continuous recruitment (reissued 10/2025); retest every six months.[cs.ny.gov]
Academy
8 weeks, paid. Minimum 8-week formal training at the NYS DOCCS Training Academy in Albany, part of a 12-month trainee program before advancing to Correction Officer.[doccs.ny.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System (NYSLRS ERS), Article 14-CO State Correction Officers plan
- Benefit formula: 25+ years: one-half (50%) of final average salary; under 25 years: 1.66% of FAS per year with under 20 years, 2% per year with 20+ years (reduced before age 63)
- When you can retire: Tier 6: any age with 25 years of service if retiring directly from a DOCCS/OMH institution; otherwise as early as age 55 with reduction before 63; 5 years to vest
New hires (joined on/after April 1, 2012) are Tier 6. For 25+ years at ages 55-63, benefit is the better of 50% of FAS or 2% per year (max 30 years) less the early-age reduction.
Source:[osc.ny.gov]
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-23. Pay plans change; confirm with the employer before applying.