West Virginia State law requires an applicant to be at least 21 years of age prior to enlistment. Applicants who are 20 years of age at the onset of testing are permitted to test provided he/she will be 21 years of age by the target date of enlistment.

Proof of age is required upon submission of an application. Acceptable proof of age is a copy of a birth certificate as issued by the county court house in the area in which an applicant is born or a copy of a birth certificate issued by the Department of Vital Statistics.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED equivalency.

Proof of education is required upon submission of an application. Acceptable proof of education is a copy of the high school diploma or GED or an original letter signed by the high school principal or counselor certifying date of graduation or date GED attained.

Applicants must have a valid driver's license for a minimum of two years prior to the date of application.

No prior police training will be substituted for Cadet training.

Applicants must not have any domestic violence convictions.

Applicants claiming military preference as outlined in the Preference of Applicants Section must submit a DD-214 verifying an Honorable Discharge.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

The Superintendent and/or Cadet Selection Board shall reject an applicant for the following or other conditions or circumstances:

the applicant is found to lack any of the preliminary requirements established for consideration for the position by statute or otherwise,

the applicant has been convicted of a felony crime,

the applicant has made a false statement of material fact or has misrepresented his or her qualifications in the application or subsequent background investigation,

the applicant has been previously dismissed from any public service for delinquency, misconduct, or other similar cause,

the applicant has used or attempted to use political pressure or bribery to secure an advantage in the selection process or appointment,

the applicant has directly or indirectly obtained information regarding the selection process to which, as an applicant, he or she was not entitled,

the applicant has failed to submit the application correctly or within the prescribed time limits,

the applicant has taken part in the compilation, administration, or correction of any examination used in the selection process,

at least three former employers state that they would not re-employ the applicant or otherwise indicate that the applicant's services as an employee were unsatisfactory, or that the applicant is lacking in character,

the applicant is not eligible to work in the United States,

the applicant has not possessed a valid driver's license for two years prior to making application,

the applicant has any convictions for a serious traffic offense (e.g. driving while intoxicated, negligent homicide, etc.),

the applicant has any domestic violence convictions,

OR the West Virginia State Police detects or discerns any condition or circumstance involving the applicant that may grossly impair the applicant's ability to perform the duties attendant to the position of state police officer at any stage of the process.

The Superintendent and/or Cadet Selection Board may reject an applicant for the following or other conditions or circumstances:

the applicant has been rejected during any phase of the selection process and the condition or circumstance causing the rejection still exists,

the applicant has any convictions for misdemeanor crimes involving persons or property,

or the applicant has any type or method of body art that would be normally observable while wearing any State Police uniform.