Jobs and Careers

Highway Patrol Certified State Trooper

State of South Carolina

UKfull_timeVerifiedPosted 9 Jul 2026

💰 $80,622/yr($58,222/yr – $80,622/yr)

About the role

Posting number: 180802

Department: Department of Public Safety

Job classification: Law Enforcement Officer III

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Safety, Law Enforcement

Summary

Enforce all vehicle laws and other criminal laws. Patrol the highways of the state of South Carolina. Investigate collisions. Serve as a witness in criminal and civil courts. Maintain reports concerning enforcement activities. Provide information to public regarding vehicle laws. Responsible and accountable for handling public funds.

Click here to learn more: https://scdps.sc.gov/careers/schp-bonus

Candidates must be hired into full-time equivalent (FTE) positions in one of the six (6) SCHP Critical Market Areas. The Sign-On Bonus will be paid over a series of five (5) payments as described below:

First Payment – The employee will be paid a bonus amount of $1,500 upon the successful completion of all basic training, Criminal Justice Academy Class 1 certification training, field training, and any applicable law enforcement training requirements established for the SCHP.

Second Payment – The employee will be paid a bonus amount of $2,000 after the successful completion of twelve (12) months of continuous service to the SCHP Critical Market Area.

Third Payment – The employee will be paid a bonus amount of $2,000 after the successful completion of twenty-four (24) months of continuous service to the SCHP Critical Market Area.

Fourth Payment – The employee will be paid a bonus amount of $2,000 after the successful completion of thirty-six (36) months of continuous service to the SCHP Critical Market Area.

Fifth Payment – The employee will be paid a bonus amount of $2,500 after the successful completion of forty-eight (48) months of continuous service to the SCHP Critical Market Area.

Examples of duties

State Minimum Requirements -

A high school diploma and experience performing patrol or investigative duties with a public law enforcement agency. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required law enforcement experience.

Agency Minimum Requirements -

Must have at least a high school diploma and the following additional requirements:

In-State Applicants - Must have graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy as a Class One Certified Officer.

- OR -

Out-of-State Applicants - Must have graduated from or completed a basic law enforcement course or equivalent (including Military/Federal Training) based on the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy requirements and be able to provide documentation of completion, in addition to the curriculum or syllabus showing the hours and topics of the training, a completed Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) letter from your current or most recent agency; and a letter of good standing from your current or most recent agency.

Additional Requirements

Must be a US citizen and at least 21 years of age prior to the hire date.
Must be able to perform all essential and marginal job functions of a State Trooper.
Must be a resident of South Carolina and have a valid South Carolina driver's license.
If you are an out-of-state applicant, you must be a resident of South Carolina and have a valid South Carolina driver's license prior to the effective date of hire.
Selected applicants must attend and successfully complete the South Carolina Justice Academy (Special Basic Class) and the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) Training Program.
While in training you are required to live at the SC Criminal Justice Academy during the week and will not be permitted to stay on the weekends.
Selected applicants are required to pass a pre-employment physical fitness test.
You will also be required to participate in daily physical training.
If you are an out-of-state applicant, you will also be required to supply the employment office with the following documentation to be considered for the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy Special