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 Utah
- Certifying body
- Utah Department of Public Safety, Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Division and POST Council
- Certification
- Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) certification. The lower tiers are Special Function Officer (SFO) and Correctional Officer.
- Minimum age
- 21 at the time of certification as a law enforcement officer; 19 for special function or correctional officer (Utah Code 53-6-203(1)(b)).
- Education
- High school graduate or equivalent examination (GED) (Utah Code 53-6-203(1)(c)).
- Citizenship
- U.S. citizen or U.S. national, or a lawful permanent resident legally in the U.S. for the prior 5 years with work authorization (Utah Code 53-6-203(1)(a)).
- Disqualifiers
- Any conviction punishable by imprisonment in a state or federal penitentiary (felony-grade), including expunged convictions. Also good moral character (no conduct violating 53-6-211(1)), freedom from disqualifying physical/emotional/mental conditions, and firearm eligibility (Utah Code 53-6-203(1)(d)-(f), (3), (6)).
- Basic academy
- POST Basic Training at the POST academy in Sandy, for agency-hired recruits: a 6-week Special Function block plus a 10-week Law Enforcement block. Satellite academies at colleges serve self-sponsored cadets, and LEO certification also requires a 40-hour EVO course. POST does not publish total course hours.
- State exam
- POST certification examination (Utah Code 53-6-205/206).
- Fitness standard
- POST LEO physical fitness standard. Entrance: vertical jump 15 in, 16 push-ups, 1:00 plank, 1.5-mile run in 15:37. Exit: 17.5 in, 21 push-ups, 1:30 plank, 1.5 miles in 14:46. A fitness test is also required for waiver applicants (53-6-206(1)(d)).
- Officers from other states
- Waiver under Utah Code 53-6-206: an out-of-state officer who completed an equivalent basic academy and has served (or graduated) within the prior 4 years submits a curriculum hour breakdown and must pass the POST certification exam and the LEO waiver fitness test. Failing the exam voids the waiver, and the full basic course is then required.
- Continuing training
- At least 40 hours of POST-certified annual training, including arrest control and de-escalation. Officers who fall short lose peace officer powers until the deficiency is made up (Utah Code 53-6-202(4)).
One POST certification covers municipal police, deputies, and Utah Highway Patrol troopers, all certified as LEO. State law sets no driver-license standard, though agencies typically require one. The SFO tier (age 19) carries limited authority.
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in Utah, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in Utah, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | UT |
|---|---|
| Workers | 5,500 |
| 10th percentile | $60,290 |
| Median | $77,310 |
| 90th percentile | $99,920 |
| 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 Utah
Local employees: Local police and firefighters
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2 Public Safety and Firefighter Contributory Retirement System (Hybrid or Defined Contribution) Tier 2 Public Safety and Firefighter | 2% | Age 65 with at least 4 years of service credit | 5.98% | 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 Utah pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Employers in Utah
92 police departments in Utah.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for Utah
Utah POST Peace Officer Certification Exam (NPOST)Utah 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
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Utah government jobs · Utah public pension plans · police officer standards in Utah · exam practice in Utah