How to become a state trooper in Kentucky
The Kentucky State Police hires state troopers under the title Trooper. New state troopers start at $64,998 a year. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $64,998 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
| Scale effective | 2026 |
Base pay only. The patrol's advertised ~$71,000 adds a training stipend and per diem to the $64,997.60 base.
Source:[kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov]
Pay for this work across Kentucky
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Kentucky, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 7,890 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $38,780 |
| Median pay | $60,490 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $77,970 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma or GED plus 3 years full-time work experience; OR 60 semester hours from an accredited college/university; OR high school diploma plus 2 years active military duty or 2 years as a full-time sworn officer (KRS 16.040(2))
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Not less than 21 years of age (KRS 16.040(2); the page does not say at application or appointment)
- Valid driver's license with no more than 6 driver demerit points
- Conditional offer pending medical and psychological examinations
Source:[kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov]
Hiring process
- Apply online at JoinKSP.com
- Physical agility test
- Interview
- Aptitude testing (Kentucky Career Readiness Certificate, Level 3 in all parts)
- Polygraph examination
- Background check
- Conditional offer of employment, pending medical and psychological examinations
- 22-week academy
Source:[kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov]
Entrance exam
Kentucky Career Readiness Certificate (KCRC) aptitude test. Online, proctored; measures reading, mathematics and data; Level 3 required on all three parts.[kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov]
Academy
22 weeks, paid. 22-week paramilitary academy (revamped curriculum, June 2026 release; over 1,000 hours for cadets without prior law enforcement experience). Cadets are paid and receive benefits; meals and living arrangements provided by KSP. Cadet Class 108 expected May 2027.[kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (KPPA) - State Police Retirement System (SPRS), Tier 3 hybrid cash balance plan (hazardous)
- Benefit formula: Accumulated account balance ÷ actuarial factor = monthly life annuity. Account = 8% member contributions (hazardous, plus 1% insurance) + 7.5% employer pay credit + 4% base interest + upside sharing interest (75% of 5-year return above 4%; SPRS FY2026 total 6.17%)
- When you can retire: Hazardous members: any age with 25 or more years of service, or age 60 with at least 60 months of service credit
KSP recruitment page: after 25 years of service employees are eligible for disbursement as a lump sum or monthly payment. Tier 3 covers members hired on or after Jan 1, 2014 (Tier 3 placement for new troopers inferred from KPPA tier structure; SPRS listed on the Tier 3 interest table).
Source:[kyret.ky.gov]