Gov. Beshear: Kentucky State Police Extend Application Deadline To Become a State Trooper
Starting Salary of $71,000 with opportunity for overtime and guaranteed post assignments; most applications submitted since 2020 so far
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 19, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) announced that the deadline to apply to become a state trooper and attend the next academy class has been extended through Oct. 30.
“Kentucky State Police play a critical role in protecting our commonwealth and our people and we are committed to supporting these brave leaders for all that they do,” Gov. Beshear said. “To those who have stepped into these roles or are considering this as a career path forward, know that all of Kentucky is grateful.”
Applicants can apply through KSP’s online portal. Sworn officers begin their careers with an annual salary of $71,000 and are eligible for 100 hours of overtime, along with additional federally funded overtime opportunities. For the first time in agency history, cadets will also receive mileage reimbursement while attending the academy. They will complete a newly revamped 22-week training curriculum that includes weekend breaks to visit home and allows them to begin their careers sooner without compromising the high-quality law enforcement training KSP has provided since its inception.
Cadets without prior law enforcement experience will receive over 1,000 hours of classroom and field study. Cadets will be trained in various critical topics, including constitutional law, juvenile and traffic laws, crisis response, criminal investigations and community relations. Specific training areas also cover weapons use, first aid, high-speed pursuits, crowd control, hazardous material handling and implicit bias education.
“The level of interest in Cadet Class 108 is exciting for the Kentucky State Police, with more applicants than we’ve seen since before 2020. Extending the application deadline to Oct. 30 gives more people the opportunity to apply for Class 108, which begins in May 2027,” said Recruitment Branch Commander Captain Charles Hedgespeth. “Oct. 30 is also graduation day for Cadet Class 107. We encourage prospective applicants to watch the livestream and see firsthand the accomplishment they could one day achieve. If you’re considering a career with the Kentucky State Police, I encourage you to take the first step and apply.”
Cadet Class 108 is expected to begin in May 2027. Applications are available at JoinKSP.com, along with the minimum requirements and disqualifications and a list of required supporting documentation (physical standards requirements and testing information). For questions or assistance with applying, email the KSP Recruitment Branch at KSPRecruitment@ky.gov.
Candidates selected for final hiring from posts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 14 and 16 will receive guaranteed assignments at their home post location. All other applicants will be assigned to their home or a bordering post based on positions and agency need. To see a list of post locations, click here.
In addition to professional development opportunities, the KSP Academy allows cadets to earn an associate of applied science degree while completing training. Since this initiative began in 2017, 150 cadets have successfully earned their degree.
The Beshear-Coleman administration’s top priority is the safety of all Kentuckians. The Governor’s public safety actions are creating safer communities and a better Kentucky.
The 2025 Crime in Kentucky Report, released in June, shows that, from 2024 to 2025, reports of serious crime decreased by 8.14%.
For four straight years, overdose deaths have decreased in Kentucky. In 2025, the commonwealth saw 22.9% fewer overdose deaths than the year prior.
Since Gov. Beshear took office, fewer Kentuckians have returned to prison after their release. For two years in a row, recidivism rates in the commonwealth have decreased, meaning that nearly 70% of those released from state custody have not returned.
In January, 32 troopers graduated from Cadet Class 106 and are now serving the commonwealth. Cadet Class 107 arrived at the KSP Academy in May and will graduate later this month.
For more information about KSP’s commitment to creating a better Kentucky by making the commonwealth’s streets safer, communities stronger and the nation more secure by providing exceptional law enforcement, click here.
For more about the Beshear-Coleman administration’s work to build a safer New Kentucky Home, click here.
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