CO State Trooper exam-day guide
CO State Trooper · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring a current driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. The name must match your application and scheduling records. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a second ID is required.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation email or letter showing your test date, time, and location. Some sites require it at check-in. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Exact test location and arrival instructions
Confirm the street address, building, entrance, and parking situation ahead of time. Test sites are sometimes on academy or government campuses with controlled access. Confirm with the provider which entrance candidates should use.
Arrival time and late-arrival policy
Plan to arrive well before your reporting time; many law-enforcement testing sites deny entry to late candidates. Confirm with the provider the cutoff time and what happens if you are delayed.
What to wear
Dress neatly and comfortably in business-casual or athletic clothing consistent with any physical components. Avoid clothing with offensive graphics. Confirm with the provider whether physical testing requires specific attire such as athletic shoes.
Permitted and prohibited items
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are commonly restricted in secure testing rooms. Ask where to store personal items. Confirm with the provider the full prohibited-items list and whether lockers are available.
Any required forms or releases
Some agencies require signed waivers, medical clearances, or background paperwork at the test. Confirm with the provider exactly which documents must be in hand on test day.
Water, snack, and medication plan
Bring water and a light snack if breaks and storage permit, and follow the provider's rules for medications. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the waiting area or only during scheduled breaks.
Rest, hydration, and travel plan
Protect sleep in the days before the test, eat a normal breakfast, and map your route with a backup plan for traffic. Being rested affects both written and physical performance.
Review logistics, not new material
In the final days, review format, instructions, and time limits rather than cramming new content. Know how many sections there are and how scoring works. Confirm with the provider the current test structure and scoring method.
Confirm reporting requirements for physical components
If your process includes a physical ability test, confirm the order of events, rest periods, and standards. Confirm with the provider the current standards and whether written and physical testing occur on the same day.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the recruiting or testing office number in your phone in case of a delay or emergency. Notify the provider promptly if you cannot attend. Confirm with the provider the rescheduling policy and any fees.
Plan the day
Re-read your scheduling confirmation and verify the date, time, address, and ID requirements. Confirm any open questions with the provider by phone or email while offices are still open. Gather documents in one folder and set out clothing and shoes. If a physical test is included, do light training only and avoid heavy or unfamiliar workouts that could cause soreness or injury. Shift toward earlier sleep and consistent meals.
Do a dry run of the route or check traffic patterns and parking. Charge your phone and any allowed devices, and pack your bag with ID, confirmation, water, and snack. Avoid alcohol and heavy meals, hydrate normally, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Do not start new study topics; at most, skim the format and instructions. Set two alarms.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate, but avoid anything unusual for your body. Arrive early with time to spare for parking and security screening. Leave prohibited items in your vehicle or at home. Use the restroom before check-in. Stay calm and follow staff instructions exactly; ask clarifying questions only when instructions are unclear.
Listen carefully to all instructions and read directions for each section before starting. Pace yourself against the time limit and do not linger on a single hard question; mark it and return if the format allows. If a physical component follows, warm up properly and follow the announced rest and attempt rules. Report any equipment problem, distraction, or illness to the proctor immediately. If you finish early, use remaining time to check answers where permitted.
Rules to check
Bring valid government-issued photo ID and present it when asked; candidates without acceptable ID may be turned away. Confirm with the provider the accepted ID types and whether a second form is required.
Follow all instructions from proctors and testing staff, including seating, timing, and movement in and out of the testing room. Disputes are handled after the test, not during it.
Do not bring or use phones, smartwatches, notes, or other unauthorized materials in the testing area unless the provider explicitly permits them. Confirm with the provider what is allowed and where items may be stored.
Do not communicate with other candidates about test content during the test or afterward in a way that could compromise test security. Follow the provider's confidentiality rules.
Breaks are usually limited and scheduled; confirm with the provider whether unscheduled breaks are allowed and whether the clock stops. Plan hydration and restroom use around the announced schedule.
Arrive on time. Many law-enforcement testing sites enforce strict late-arrival cutoffs. Confirm with the provider the late-arrival policy and how to reschedule if needed.
Scoring and passing standards are set by the agency and provider. Ask how each section is scored and whether retesting is allowed. Confirm with the provider the current passing standards and retest policy rather than relying on secondhand information.
Report any illness, injury, or emergency to staff before or during the test. Do not attempt a physical component while injured. Confirm with the provider how medical issues affect eligibility and rescheduling.