How to Become a Police Officer in West Virginia

Who can apply

• You must be employed (or conditionally employed) by a West Virginia law enforcement agency to enter the certification process through your agency.
• You must pass a medical exam (medical history, physical exam, lab work, ECG, tuberculosis test and drug screen) by a licensed physician or medical testing company chosen and paid for by the employing agency. The medical report is valid for one year.
• You must perform at the 40th percentile (Cooper Institute single-standard norms) on each of three physical ability test elements to enter the academy. You get two attempts per element.
• You must have a background check showing good moral character.
• The Subcommittee may deny certification or academy admission for a felony, or any crime involving dishonesty, unlawful sexual conduct, physical violence or DUI (including pretrial diversion for those offenses), drug addiction or unlawful drug activity, falsified information, or being unable to lawfully carry a firearm.

Step by step

1. Get hired by a West Virginia law enforcement agency. Your employer must tell you about the 90-day application deadline within 30 days of your start date.
2. Within 90 calendar days of hire, submit a complete academy application packet: application sheet, medical history, medical exam report and fingerprint cards.
3. Pass the physical ability test at the 40th percentile to be admitted to the academy.
4. Complete an approved entry-level training academy (core curriculum of at least 850 hours) within 18 consecutive months of your hire date.
5. Pass the entry-level law enforcement examination (written test with a 75 percent minimum, plus medical, physical and good moral character standards).
6. Within 30 days, apply in writing to the Subcommittee for certification.

Training and exam

Training: West Virginia's entry-level core curriculum is designed to provide at least 850 hours of training. Your employing agency must also train you on local ordinances and department policies. You must finish an approved academy within 18 consecutive months of hire; the Subcommittee may grant one extension of up to six months, plus more only for hardship.

Exam: You must pass the entry-level law enforcement examination set by state rule: a written test with a minimum passing grade of 75 percent, continued compliance with the medical standards, the physical ability standards, and a good-moral-character background check. If you fail the written test, you may retake it within 10 days of notice, up to three attempts total. After a third failure you are not eligible for certification unless the Subcommittee approves for good cause.

Other costs to budget for

• The employing agency chooses and pays for the entry medical exam. Any further evaluation of a medical condition that may be disqualifying is at your own expense.
• If you are terminated for missing the 90-day application deadline, you can apply as a private citizen for training and certification at your own expense.

How long it takes

Apply to the academy within 90 days of hire and finish it within 18 months of hire. Equivalent-certification officers must finish the required West Virginia courses within 12 months.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: Certification is reviewed every year. You must complete at least 16 hours of approved in-service training each year, not counting firearms qualification; up to 50 percent can be online. Agencies must also hold firearms qualification at least twice a year (one in low light), at least three months apart. You must notify the Subcommittee within 10 days of being charged with a crime (other than minor traffic offenses).

Good to know in West Virginia

Officers from other states: If you completed a POST-approved basic academy (or equivalent federal training, not military police) and were certified with no revocation or suspension, you can seek equivalent certification. Notify the Subcommittee when hired, submit an academy application within 90 days, and within 12 months complete West Virginia courses in firearms, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, laws of arrest, WV motor vehicle law, criminal law, domestic crimes, and search and seizure.

90-day application deadline: A new uncertified officer who does not have a complete academy application filed within 90 calendar days of hire must be immediately terminated as a law enforcement officer. You can request an extension before the 90 days end.

Failing the physical test twice: After two failures of the physical ability test, you must wait two years before you can be employed as a law enforcement officer. While waiting to retest, you are placed in a non-law-enforcement position.

Rule updated July 1, 2026: The current version of the training and certification rule (149CSR2) took effect July 1, 2026. Another revision is listed as in progress with the Secretary of State.

Leaving the academy: If you voluntarily leave the academy, you are automatically terminated and cannot be conditionally employed as an officer for two years (five years if you are dismissed from the academy). If you were fired for a late academy application because your employer never gave you the required notice, the employer must pay your academy costs if you are later approved as a private citizen.

Returning after a break: Previously certified officers separated for more than 24 but less than 60 months must, within 12 months of re-employment, test for credit or complete eight West Virginia courses (firearms, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, laws of arrest, WV motor vehicle law, criminal law update, domestic crimes, and search and seizure). After more than 60 months you first need Subcommittee approval, and extra training may be required.

Sources

• WV Law Enforcement Professional Standards
• 149CSR2 - Law Enforcement Training and Certification Standards (effective July 1, 2026), WV Secretary of State
• WV Secretary of State - Rule 149-02 versions
• W. Va. Code 30-29-5 - Certification requirements