Requirements to take the written examination:

• Applicants must be at least 17½ years of age by the last day of filing of the exam they are applying for.
• Applicants must not have reached their 35th birthday on or before the first day of filing of the exam they are applying for.
• Those applicants who are 35 and over and have active United States military service may deduct up to six years from the age requirement.
• If by mail: Applications must be submitted/postmarked by the filing deadline of the exam they are applying for.

Requirements to be hired:

• Candidates must be at least 21 years of age on or before the day of hire.
• Candidates must be a United States citizen on or before the day of hire.
• On or before the day of hire, candidates must have successfully completed either:
1. Sixty (60) college credits with a 2.0 G.P.A. from an accredited college or university, or
2. Two (2) years of full-time, active military service in the United States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge and have a high school's diploma or its equivalent.
• Candidates must reside either within one of the five boroughs of New York City or one of the surrounding counties of New York City; Suffolk, Westchester, Orange, Rockland, Nassau or Putnam Counties on the day of hire.
• Candidates must possess a valid, unrestricted New York State Drivers License on the day of hire.
• Candidates must pay a $75.00 fee for fingerprinting as part of the investigation process.
• Candidates must pass a drug/alcohol screening.
• Candidates must pass a character and background investigation.

The following factors are some of those which would be cause for disqualification:

• Any conviction of an offense which is punishable by one or more years imprisonment (felony).
• Any repeated convictions of an offense which indicate a disrespect for the law, a lack of good moral character or disposition towards violence and disorder.
• Discharge from employment, where such discharge indicates poor behavior and/or an inability adjusting to discipline.
• A Dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
• Persons convicted of a petit larceny.
• Persons convicted of any domestic violence offense.
• Candidates must pass all medical, physical, written psychological and oral psychological examinations.