How to Become a Police Officer in Iowa

Who can apply

• You must be a U.S. citizen and an Iowa resident, or intend to become one when hired (unless your city or county allows out-of-state residence by ordinance).
• You must be at least 18 when appointed.
• You need a valid Iowa driver's license.
• You need a high school diploma or GED.
• You cannot have a felony or a crime of moral turpitude, such as domestic violence, assault or harassment, stalking, theft, perjury, any sex crime, or drug dealing. The Academy Council may grant a waiver in some cases.
• You must have uncorrected vision of at least 20/100 in both eyes, correctable to 20/20, adequate color vision, and normal hearing (or pass a functional hearing test). A physician exam is required.
• You must not be addicted to drugs or alcohol, must not be opposed to using force when needed, and must not have been decertified in another state.

Step by step

1. Pass the state-required National Police Officer Selection Test (POST), with at least 70 percent on each of its four sections.
2. Pass the ILEA physical fitness test (push-ups, sit-ups and 1.5-mile run at the 40th percentile for your age and sex).
3. Get hired (or sponsored) by an Iowa agency. You must also pass the MMPI-2 psychological test, a background check with fingerprints, and the minimum medical exam.
4. Your agency files a Report of Hire with ILEA at least 30 days before the academy starts.
5. Pass the fitness test again at academy entry, then complete the 16-week, 639-hour ILEA Basic Academy or a certified regional academy.
6. Become certified within one year of your employment date. The year is extended up to 180 days automatically if you are attending an academy that you entered within 12 months of hire.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: State rules require a basic course of at least 620 hours. ILEA's Basic Academy is 639 hours over 16 weeks in Johnston; recruits train Monday through Friday and go home on weekends. The Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Iowa Department of Public Safety academies train their own officers (17 to 22 weeks). Western Iowa Tech Community College runs a shortened academy for recruits with a 2- or 4-year criminal justice or police science degree.

Exam: Before hire, entry-level applicants must take the National Police Officer Selection Test (POST) from Stanard & Associates and score at least 70 percent on each of the four sections. Agencies may require higher scores. The MMPI-2 psychological test is also required for applicants in the final selection stage. POST and MMPI scores are valid for 12 months. Officers certified in another state take ILEA's certification-through-examination (CTE) written exam instead.

What it costs in Iowa

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

How long it takes

Officers must be certified within one year of being hired, extended up to 180 days if you are already in an academy. The ILEA Basic Academy itself is 16 weeks.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: Every year officers must complete firearms qualification, mental health training, de-escalation training, and at least 12 more hours of law enforcement in-service training. CPR is renewed every 2 years, and child and dependent adult abuse reporting training every 3 years. Officers returning after more than 12 months out of Iowa law enforcement must make up 24 to 60 extra hours within one year.

Good to know in Iowa

Fitness standards: You must meet the 40th percentile for your age and sex. Men 20-29: 29 push-ups and 38 sit-ups in one minute each, and a 12:51 1.5-mile run. Women 20-29: 15 push-ups, 32 sit-ups and 15:26. You get one more attempt if you fail.

Officers from other states: Officers certified elsewhere can become certified through examination (CTE). Apply before you are hired. You must meet Iowa's minimum standards, attend a CTE course week at ILEA, pass skills proficiencies and pass a written exam (20 short tests if under 5 years of service, 14 if 5 or more). You get two chances to pass. If your certification elsewhere is revoked, suspended or under review, you cannot be certified.

Military and federal officers: Military and federal officers who meet the criteria in Iowa House File 901 can also use the CTE path.

Gap in service: An out-of-state officer who has not served as an officer during the 12 months before hire must attend a certifying academy.

Missing the certification deadline: The one-year clock starts on your first day as an Iowa officer and does not restart if you change agencies. The Academy Council may grant up to 180 more days only for a documented undue hardship. If you are not certified in time, you cannot work as a regular or reserve officer in Iowa for at least 12 months.

Sources

• Iowa Admin. Code 501 Chapter 2 - Minimum Standards for Iowa Law Enforcement Officers
• Iowa Admin. Code 501 Chapter 3 - Certification and basic training
• ILEA - Hiring Steps for Agencies
• ILEA - Basic Academy
• ILEA - PT Standards
• ILEA - Fees (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027)
• ILEA - Reciprocity (Certification Through Examination)
• ILEA - Annual In-Service
• ILEA - Regional Academies