Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to become a police officer in New Hampshire
- Certifying body
- New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council (PSTC)
- Certification
- Full-time Police Officer Certification (PSTC)
- Minimum age
- Neither the Pol 300 rules nor RSA 106-L sets a numeric statewide minimum age, even though RSA 106-L:6 III authorizes the Council to set one. Hiring agencies set their own; for example, NH State Police requires 21.
- Education
- High school diploma, a NH or other-state high school equivalency certificate, or 2 years of accredited postsecondary education (Pol 301.01).
- Citizenship
- U.S. citizen (Pol 301.03).
- Disqualifiers
- Felony conviction (civilian or military, even if annulled) unless pardoned; misdemeanors that cast doubt on character or show a pattern; a misdemeanor causing serious bodily injury within 10 years; dishonorable discharge (or other-than-honorable showing poor character); drug sales; illegal drug use within 36 months (24 if under 21) or marijuana within 12 months, subject to Council review. Also disqualifying: material false statements, discharge for moral character, or a disqualifying psychological profile (Pol 301.02(b), 301.05(g)).
- Basic academy
- Full-time Police Academy: 16-week commuter, paramilitary academy at the PSTC facility, 17 Institute Drive, Concord. Every subject must be passed at 70%. PSTC doesn't publish total hours for the full-time academy; the part-time academy is 200 hours.
- State exam
- None required
- Fitness standard
- Cooper Institute-based physical fitness test (1.5-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups) at the 35th percentile, normed for age and gender. It's required at academy entrance and exit for the full-time academy (RSA 106-L:6 V; PSTC FAQ) and every 3 years to keep certification (RSA 106-L:6 IX; Pol 404.07).
- Time to certify
- The basic training program must be completed within 6 months of original appointment (Pol 302.01(a)). The Council may extend this for good cause up to 2 years from hire, and RSA 106-L:6 I caps uncertified probationary employment at 2 years.
- Officers from other states
- Reciprocal certification: certified, academy-trained full-time officers from other states may have subjects waived and take only the New Hampshire Law Package (about 100 hours) and its tests, if their training is at least equal in scope. If the gap analysis requires 30% or more of academy hours, the full academy is required. Laterals must still meet all background, medical, psychological, and fitness-test requirements (Pol 302.01(h)(1)).
- Continuing training
- 24 hours of annual in-service training, including 2 hours each of implicit bias/cultural response, ethics, and de-escalation; firearms, first aid, and defensive tactics don't count toward the 24. Annual firearms qualification and a 4-hour or longer use-of-force refresher are also required (Pol 404.03), plus a medical clearance and fitness test every 3 years (Pol 404.06-.07).
RSA 106-L:2 defines a law enforcement officer as any local, municipal, county, state, or public-university employee with full arrest powers, so police, deputies, and troopers share these standards; NH State Police recruits attend the 16-week PSTC academy. There's no separate state exam.
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in New Hampshire, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in New Hampshire, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | NH |
|---|---|
| Workers | 2,460 |
| 10th percentile | $57,930 |
| Median | $71,640 |
| 90th percentile | $89,940 |
| 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 New Hampshire
Local employees: Local police and firefighters
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHRS Group II (Police and Fire) - Tier C Group II Tier C | 2% | age 52.5 with 25 years of Group II creditable service | Set by the employer | Not covered |
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 New Hampshire pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Employers in New Hampshire
190 police departments in New Hampshire.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for New Hampshire
New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council Certification ExamNew Hampshire 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 New Hampshire
New Hampshire government jobs · New Hampshire public pension plans · police officer standards in New Hampshire · exam practice in New Hampshire