Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to become a police officer in Arkansas
- Certification
- CLEST Basic Law Enforcement Officer Certificate (then General, Intermediate, Advanced and Senior certificates)
- Minimum age
- 21. A person may be hired at 20 to attend the basic academy but may not perform law enforcement functions until age 21 (12 CAR § 1-106(c)(2), formerly CLEST Rule 1002).
- Education
- High school graduate or passed GED. Homeschool diplomas only if the Commission approves. A transcript showing at least 12 college credit hours with at least a C average may substitute (12 CAR § 1-106(c)(6)).
- Citizenship
- U.S. citizen, or a nonimmigrant legally admitted under the Compact of Free Association (Marshall Islands) (12 CAR § 1-106(c)(1)).
- Driver's license
- Must possess a valid driver's license (12 CAR § 1-106(c)(10)).
- Disqualifiers
- Any felony record (guilty plea or conviction of any offense punishable by state or federal imprisonment), even if pardoned or expunged. A misdemeanor domestic-violence conviction (per 18 U.S.C. § 922). Other criminal records are weighed by the hiring department. Applicants must also have good character (background investigation), pass a physician's exam, and be found competent and recommended in a psychological exam (DSM-5 disqualifying conditions; substance use in remission at least 3 years). Fingerprint checks and a personal interview are required (12 CAR § 1-106(c)).
- Basic academy
- Basic law enforcement training course: a minimum of 520 hours (12 CAR § 1-109(a)(6)-(7)). The CLEST FAQ describes the ALETA basic course as 13 weeks. To graduate: at least 70% in each academic block and on each exam, and 80% on the commission firearms course. Part-time, specialized and auxiliary officers need at least 110 hours instead.
- State exam
- No separate state licensing exam for new officers; certification follows the academy and probation. A 250-question comprehensive written exam (70%, 2 attempts) is an option for previously trained officers separated 7-10 years (12 CAR § 1-109(a)(2)).
- Time to certify
- Basic training must be completed within 9 months of hire, or 12 months with an approved 3-month extension (12 CAR § 1-106(a), § 1-109(a)(5), (7)(D)). There is a 12-month minimum probationary period before certification (§ 1-107), and the officer must apply for certification within 90 days after probation (§ 1-114).
- Officers from other states
- Reciprocity/waiver (12 CAR § 1-112): CLEST may waive the basic course on proof of equivalent training approved in the state where it was received; federal and military police training is also accepted. Officers from another state, a federal agency or the military police must complete the refresher course (§ 1-109(b)). Those with at least 50% of the required classroom hours may get 10 hours of credit per year of full-time experience, plus the refresher. Failing the refresher requires the full basic course. Certification follows completion of probation.
- Continuing training
- 24 hours of commission-approved training every year, including firearms qualification, duty-to-intervene training and 4 hours of racial profiling (12 CAR § 1-106(c)(12)). It applies to all classifications, including auxiliary, since 1/1/2020 (CLEST FAQ). Certification expires after 3 consecutive years without serving (§ 1-114(c)).
The CLEST rules were recodified in the Code of Arkansas Rules (official since 1/1/2025): Title 12, Chapter I, Subchapter A, Part 1, with old Rule 1002 now 12 CAR § 1-106. The statutory basis is Ark. Code § 12-9-101 et seq. (e.g., § 12-9-106). Under 12 CAR § 1-104(16) the standards cover appointed officers enforcing criminal, traffic or highway laws, excluding officers elected by popular vote (e.g., elected sheriffs and constables).
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in Arkansas, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in Arkansas, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | AR |
|---|---|
| Workers | 5,710 |
| 10th percentile | $35,210 |
| Median | $47,670 |
| 90th percentile | $70,190 |
| National median, government employers | $76,300 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pension in Arkansas
Local employees: Local police and firefighters
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System - Benefit Program 1 Members hired on or after July 1, 2013 (10-year vesting) | 3% | any age with 28 years of credited service | Set by the employer | Varies |
The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the Arkansas pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Employers in Arkansas
225 police departments in Arkansas.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for Arkansas
Arkansas POST Peace Officer Certification Exam (CLEST)Arkansas exam · free on Open Exam Prep- IPMA-HR / PSHRA Entry-Level Police Officer Test (PO-EL)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Law Enforcement Aptitude Battery (LEAB)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory (NCJOSI-3)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Police Officer Selection Test (POST)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- NTN FrontLine National - Law Enforcement ExamPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Police Aptitude and Character Test (PACT)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Police Officer page.
Police Officer in other states
More government jobs in Arkansas
Arkansas government jobs · Arkansas public pension plans · police officer standards in Arkansas · exam practice in Arkansas