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 North Dakota
- Certifying body
- North Dakota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (ND POST Board), Office of Attorney General
- Certification
- North Dakota Peace Officer License (full-time); a limited license covers new hires until training and the exam are done
- Minimum age
- Neither NDCC 12-63 nor NDAC 109-02-01-03 sets a minimum age. Applicants must not be legally barred from possessing a firearm (109-02-01-03(5)), and employing agencies set their own age limits.
- Education
- High school diploma, high school equivalency diploma, or GED (NDCC 12-63-06(2); NDAC 109-02-01-03(2)).
- Citizenship
- U.S. citizen or resident alien status as defined by USCIS (NDAC 109-02-01-03(1)).
- Driver's license
- Valid driver's license issued in the United States (NDAC 109-02-01-03(6)).
- Disqualifiers
- Any felony guilty plea, nolo plea or conviction (license denial is mandatory, NDCC 12-63-12(1)). Also barred: offenses involving moral turpitude, sexual violations, domestic violence or DV restraining-order violations, child abuse/neglect, or firearms offenses (titles 12.1/62.1); being prohibited from possessing firearms or from NCIC/CJIS access; dishonorable discharge or administrative discharge for conduct violating the officer code (NDAC 109-02-01-03(3)-(5), (10)-(12)).
- Basic academy
- Board-certified basic full-time peace officer training course (NDAC 109-02-04-08). No hour minimum is set in rule; the ND Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA, run by the Highway Patrol in Bismarck) basic session runs about 12 weeks (e.g., Sept. 28-Dec. 18). Other POST-approved academies include Lake Region State College's Peace Officer Training Program.
- State exam
- North Dakota Peace Officer Licensing Examination (written, 70% to pass, one retake, then the full basic course again) (NDCC 12-63-07; NDAC 109-02-02-06).
- Time to certify
- After hire, the agency obtains a limited license (education, medical, psychological, background and sidearm requirements met); the officer must attend the first available basic full-time course and pass the licensing exam (NDCC 12-63-09; NDAC 109-02-02-01, -04). No fixed month count; the limited license may be renewed once after a failed exam.
- Officers from other states
- Partial waiver/reciprocity: the employing agency applies; the Board reviews out-of-state or federal training for equivalence and good standing, and prior service or training must be within 3 years. Per POST, the officer then attends the Criminal and Traffic portions of ND basic training at LETA and passes the licensing exam, or else completes full basic training (NDAC 109-02-02-05; POST FAQ Q3).
- Continuing training
- 60 hours of certified training every 3-year license period, no more than 20 online (NDAC 109-02-02-15; NDCC 12-63-11), plus annual sidearm qualification (NDAC 109-02-03-04).
The POST Board rules are in NDAC Title 109 (Article 109-02). NDCC 12-63 and NDAC 109-02 set no statewide minimum age, academy hour total or fitness test. Every peace officer, including deputies and Highway Patrol troopers, must hold a POST license (NDCC 12-63-02); part-time and reserve licenses have separate tracks.
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in North Dakota, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in North Dakota, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | ND |
|---|---|
| Workers | 1,630 |
| 10th percentile | $58,620 |
| Median | $74,500 |
| 90th percentile | $91,440 |
| 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 North Dakota
Local employees: Local police and firefighters
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDPERS Public Safety Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Public Safety plan, members first enrolled on or after 2020-01-01 | 1.75% | Age 55 with 3 years of eligible service | 5.5% | Not stated |
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 North Dakota pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Employers in North Dakota
43 police departments in North Dakota.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for North Dakota
North Dakota POST Peace Officer Certification ExamNorth Dakota 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 North Dakota
North Dakota government jobs · North Dakota public pension plans · police officer standards in North Dakota · exam practice in North Dakota