How to Become a Police Officer in New Hampshire

Who can apply

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You need a high school diploma, a high school equivalency certificate, or a transcript showing 2 years of accredited college.
• A felony conviction under any U.S. or foreign law bars appointment unless you were pardoned. PSTC also considers annulled criminal records.
• Your hiring agency must fingerprint you and check your criminal and motor vehicle records everywhere you have lived.
• After a conditional job offer you must pass a physical exam by a licensed health care provider, a background investigation and a psychological screening.
• You must pass the PSTC physical fitness entrance test.

Step by step

1. Get hired by a New Hampshire law enforcement agency. The full-time academy only accepts officers already employed by an agency.
2. Your agency fingerprints you, runs record checks and a background investigation, and arranges the medical exam and psychological screening.
3. Before carrying a firearm on duty, complete the basic firearm safety and familiarization course. Until certified, you may work only in the direct presence of a certified officer.
4. Pass the physical fitness entrance test.
5. Complete the PSTC 16-week full-time police academy within 6 months of your hire date, passing all written and practical tests.
6. PSTC certifies you and sends notice to your agency.

Training and exam

Training: Every newly appointed police officer must complete the PSTC police basic training program within 6 months of original appointment. The full-time academy is 16 weeks. The Council can extend the deadline for good cause (such as no available academy, illness, injury or military service), but not beyond 2 years from the hire date. Officers who live or work in New Hampshire must train at a PSTC program. Part-time officers attend the Council's part-time officer training program.

Exam: To graduate you must pass all written and practical academy tests. PSTC says the minimum passing grade is 70% in every subject, not just overall. The physical fitness test (1.5-mile run, push-ups and sit-ups) must be passed at the 35th percentile for your age and gender (Cooper Institute norms) at entrance and exit.

Other costs to budget for

• Your agency may charge you for the required medical or psychological exam after a conditional job offer, or make repayment part of a minimum-service contract.
• The medical clearance and fitness test every 3 years are the officer's cost unless the employer pays.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: Each year certified officers must complete in-service training: 2 hours each of implicit bias and cultural response, ethics, and de-escalation, for a total of 24 hours a year since 2025 (not counting firearms, first aid or defensive tactics). Officers must also meet the annual firearms requirement. Every 3 years you must get a medical clearance and pass the fitness test (1.5-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups at the 35th percentile), unless you were certified before January 1, 2001. Failing puts your certification on probation for up to 2 years, then suspension.

Good to know in New Hampshire

Officers trained in another state: PSTC can certify you through a reciprocal process if your training was at least equal in scope to New Hampshire's. PSTC says that if the gap equals 30% or more of the academy hours, you must attend the entire New Hampshire academy.

Leaving and returning: Your certification lapses if you are not employed as an officer in New Hampshire within 30 days after leaving a job. If rehired, your agency can ask for recertification without more training unless the academy curriculum has materially changed.

No re-hire loophole: Being fired and rehired does not restart the 6-month academy deadline unless you were out of police work for at least 2 years.

Credit, vision and blood pressure: PSTC hiring requirements also include a good credit history. Its medical standards call for corrected distance vision of at least 20/30 in the weaker eye and resting blood pressure no higher than 150/95. Many agencies add their own tests, such as a polygraph, written test or oral interview.

Sources

• N.H. Admin. Rules Pol 100-800 - Police Standards and Training Council
• NH PSTC - Full-Time Police Academy
• NH PSTC - Frequently Asked Questions