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Qualifications

The below qualifications should be met to join the OHP

Minimum of 21 years of age, but no older than 45 when the academy starts.

  • Applicant must be a citizen of the United States.

Duty station assignments will be announced during the latter half of the Patrol Academy.

DON’T HAVE 62 COMPLETED SEMESTER HOURS BUT HAVE AT LEAST 24 COMPLETED SEMESTER HOURS?
You may qualify for up to 38 college credit hours toward your degree if you successfully complete the OHP Academy. Click here for more details.

  • Prior to graduation from the OHP Academy, possess an associate’s degree or a minimum of sixty-two (62) successfully completed semester hours from an accredited college or university. See above announcement if you only have 24 completed semester hours.    
  • Have successfully completed, prior to graduation from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy, thirty-two (32) semester hours from an accredited college or university and have three (3) years of honorable active military service or reserve military service. See above announcement if you need semester hours to qualify.
    • NOTE: Applicants with prior military OR law enforcement shall receive credit from OHP for up to ten (10) semester hours for each year of honorable service up to a maximum of three (3) years or thirty (30) semester hours.

New physical fitness requirements (Entire fitness test must be completed in 22 minutes or less, including the rest.)

  • 500 meter row
  • 40 air squats
  • 30 sit-ups
  • 20 push-ups
  • mandatory 5 minute rest (option to perform up to 10 pull-ups within the first minute of rest for a bonus of 3 seconds per pull-up off total time)
  • 1 mile run 

Disqualifications

Any applicant having used any illegal drug including, but not limited anabolic steroid, methamphetamines, heroin, phencyclidine (PCP), LSD, cocaine, crack cocaine, illegal inhalants, ecstasy, rohypnol, or a prescription drug that was not prescribed and not used for its intended purpose, at all within three (3) years of January 1 of the application year will be disqualified and removed from the application process.

Any applicant under the age of twenty-three (23), who has used marijuana (including any synthetics, waxes or oils) within one (1) year of January 1 of the application year will be disqualified and removed from the application process.

Any applicant twenty-three (23) years of age or older, who has used marijuana (including any synthetics, waxes or oils) within two (2) years of January 1 of the application year will be disqualified and removed from the application process.

Having a history of illegal drug use that tends to establish a pattern will be grounds for disqualification from the hiring process.

  • Applicants, who exhibit an established pattern of illegal drug use of any class of controlled substance, including marijuana, as defined in Oklahoma State Statutes, shall be grounds for disqualification from the hiring process. This includes prescription drugs not prescribed to the applicant for their use, anabolic steroids, and designer type drugs. Evaluation will be based upon how the drug was obtained, the number and frequency of use, the intended purpose, type of drug, and from whom the drug was obtained.
  • The suitability of an applicant, who has illegally used any class of a controlled substance that does not establish a pattern of abuse, including marijuana, will be evaluated on the basis of the circumstance(s) of involvement, use, length of use, intent, and quantity of use.
  • Applicants who have established a pattern of selling, manufacturing, distributing or cultivating illegal drugs, including marijuana will be disqualified.
  • Applicants who have used an illegal drug (no matter how many times or how long ago) while in a law enforcement, prosecutorial position, or in a position which carries a high level of responsibility or public trust will be disqualified and removed from the application process.

Applicants with military service must submit a copy of their most current military history form (DD-214 Member-4 Copy, or NGB-22) with the biographical questionnaire during the application process.

Military service will be reviewed using the following guidelines:

  1. Applicants who possess an honorable discharge will be eligible for further consideration.
  2. Applicants who possess a general discharge under honorable conditions will be considered; however, all disciplinary action will be thoroughly investigated to determine whether the applicant is eligible for further consideration.
  3. Any applicant who possesses a dishonorable discharge or bad conduct discharge will be disqualified and removed from the application process.
  4. Applicants who were discharged from military service for ineptitude, unsuitability, undesirability, or like causes will be grounds for disqualification.
  5. Male applicants who failed to register for Selective Service will be disqualified and removed from the application process.

The following shall be considered grounds for disqualification from the hiring process. The date used to determine the below disqualifications will be January 1 of the application year.

  • Being prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle
  • Having been convicted two (2) or more times for DUI, DWI, or DUI (Drugs)
  • Having been convicted of one (1) DUI, DWI, or DUI (Drugs) within the past three (3) years
  • Having been convicted of three (3) or more traffic violations, or a conviction of failing to maintain financial responsibility within the last 12 months, will disqualify the applicant for a period of three (3) years from the date of the last traffic violation or date of conviction for failing to maintain financial responsibility
  • Having been convicted of six (6) or more traffic violations, or a conviction of failing to maintain financial responsibility within the last 24 months, will disqualify the applicant for three (3) years from the date of the last traffic violation conviction
  • The applicant's driver license has been suspended for refusal to submit to a chemical test within the last ten years
  • Applicants who are currently on probation for any traffic offense or have had their driving privileges suspended or revoked within the last thirty-six (36) months are ineligible and will be disqualified for a period of three (3) years from the date the probation was completed or date the suspension or revocation was lifted
  • Currently delinquent or having been delinquent in child support payments within the last five (5) years as determined by a court or the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office
  • Having been or currently on court-ordered supervision or probation for any felony or misdemeanor offense
  • Having been convicted of any felony
  • Having been convicted of a crime involving domestic abuse
  • Currently being under indictment or criminal investigation
  • Being prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition
  • Having committed theft(s) while in a position of trust or in a pattern that shows habitual theft will disqualify the applicant

Applicants must be of good moral character and habits. An investigation will be made regarding character, habits, previous employment, or other matters necessary to satisfactorily establish good moral character, habits, honesty, truth, and veracity. Credit history and financial condition of the applicant will be reviewed. Credit history will not be a sole basis for disqualification.

Applicants must answer truthfully and fully all questions asked of them. Any misrepresentation or omission of any material fact on the application, other department forms, during the background investigation, or in any phase of the selection process may disqualify the applicant.

If an investigation discloses a willful misrepresentation, omission or falsification, the application will be rejected and the applicant may be disqualified from applying in the future.

Having committed sufficient criminal activities to establish a pattern of disregard for the law will disqualify the applicant.

Having committed any detected or undetected crime of a serious or aggravated nature will disqualify the applicant. This may include, but is not limited to, murder, manslaughter, robbery, kidnapping, rape or any other sex crime, sexual assault, lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child, incest, and/or crimes against nature

Commission of a detected or undetected serious crime as an adult, which constitutes a felony, domestic violence, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, repeated misdemeanor offenses, or a crime involving violence that occurred within 10 years prior to the submission of the application will disqualify the applicant.

Any undetected crimes occurring beyond the ten (10) year period will be subject to further review.

Having been involved with seditious movements, terrorist activities, or any efforts to violently overthrow the United States government will disqualify the applicant.

Disciplinary action in prior employment, the military or educational institutions will be a basis for further evaluation. If applicants are disqualified for disciplinary actions, they cannot reapply within 1 year from the date they were disqualified.

Other indications of criminal history will be individually evaluated.

  • Exposed body art or intentional mutilations are not permitted on the neck, face, head, hand, or any area of the chest visible in any authorized uniform or attire other than the exceptions contained herein.
  • Exceptions:
    • No body art shall be created or exposed on a member’s hands apart from a single wedding band style tattoo of no more than one (1) inch in width displayed on a single finger. No other body art may be visible or added to or upon the hands.
  • Conforming body art shall not display any language or symbols that are profane, vulgar, offensive, anti-government, discriminatory, racist, or pornographic in nature.
  • The final decision on whether a piece of body art violates this section shall lie with the Chief or his designee.
  • Nothing in this policy is to be construed as prohibiting body modifications necessitated by deformity, injury, medical or dental needs. Such needs may be reviewed by the Chief’s Office on a case-by-case basis.
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