Career Opportunities
For Military Veterans
Bringing Heroes Home
We understand the transition from military to civilian life and the unknown that often follows can be difficult to navigate. At CHP, we know that your hard-earned military skills, self-discipline, and experience create an invaluable foundation for our work. Both honored and appreciated, your self-initiative and drive to protect can help you secure a long-term career within CHP’s ranks.
Heroes should be treated like heroes. The CHP’s salary, medical benefits, and retirement plans are designed with veterans and their families in mind. Not only do we provide paid training for all cadets at the Academy, we offer a highly competitive salary, along with medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as up to 2.7 percent per year in retirement based on your years of service and age.
Join Our Mission
We have partnered with the California Department of Veterans Affairs in a continued effort to recruit the finest candidates from the ranks of the United States Armed Forces. We would be honored for you to join us in our mission of providing the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California. Veterans exemplify honor, courage, and integrity – all qualities which make CHP, CHP. Your new life is waiting – read on to learn more.
Benefits of Veteran’s Preference
The Veteran’s Preference Program
Applicants who have served in the United States Armed Forces as defined in Government Code Section 18540 and who qualify as a veteran are entitled to veterans’ preference. The Veterans’ Preference Program is an assistance program for military veterans who seek employment with the state. Preference can be applied to a veteran’s eligibility for qualifying open and open, non-promotional examinations.
If your application for Veterans’ Preference is approved by the California Department of Human Resources, and you achieve a passing score in an entrance examination (for example, the POST PELLETB written exam for the CHP), you shall be ranked first in the resulting eligibility list. As Officer Sherrick explains in our Recruiter Wednesdays YouTube series, this essentially means you’ll be entered into the process sooner than someone who is in a lower rank.
How to Apply for a Veterans’ Preference
To apply for Veterans’ Preference, the following documents must be submitted.
To apply for Provisional Veteran’s Preference, the following documents must be submitted:
- Veteran’s Preference Application Form (CALHR 1093)
- Provisional Transitional Waiver Form (CALHR 1094)
*Can be obtained by having your transition counselor call the California Highway Patrol HQ Recruitment Unit at 916-843-3275. The CHP recruitment unit will send the form directly to your counselor via email. This form must be completed by your Company Commander verifying you will be discharged from service within the six month frame.
In order to be eligible for Veterans’ preference and/or Provisional Veterans’ Preference points the CALHR 1093, CALHR 1094 and all supporting documentation must be submitted to CALHR prior to your scheduled Physical Abilities Test (PAT).
Submit copies of the completed CALHR 1093 Form along with supporting documents to:
California Department of Human Resources
ATTN: Examination Unit
1515 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Once CalHR has approved your application for Veterans’ Preference, your information will remain on file for all future qualifying examinations. Contact the CalHR Examination Unit with questions regarding Veterans’ Preference at (866) 844-8671.
Watch our YouTube video below for a breakdown of eligibility requirements and what to do to get started.
Apply for Additional G.I. Benefits
Attending the CHP Academy qualifies for use of the GI Bill® under the on-the-job training or apprenticeships path. GI Bill® coverage is not the same for all veterans. In addition to your generous monthly salary, you may be eligible to receive additional monthly income in G.I. Benefits. Exclusive G.I. Benefits: Ability to purchase up to four years of service credits (restrictions apply). For more information regarding GI Bill® Benefits, visit the VA Web Site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
National Guard and Military Reserves Friendly
CHP policy allows you to take the necessary time to fulfill your military obligations.
All testing takes place in California and is done at one of our eight geographical divisions:
Northern (Redding, CA), Valley (Sacramento, CA), Golden Gate (Vallejo, CA), Central (Fresno, CA), Southern (Los Angeles, CA), Border Division (San Diego, CA), Coastal Division (San Luis Obispo, CA), and Inland (San Bernardino, CA).
All applicants must meet the requirements before applying. View the minimum requirements for a CHP officer.
Plan Ahead with Active Military Waivers
Looking to plan ahead for your future and ensure a career upon retirement from the military? Whether you’re active duty in the US Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force, here’s how to apply for a military waiver and receive up to 8 years of list eligibility.
How can we help?
We’re here to answer your questions. For additional information, contact the CHP Recruitment Unit by phone at (916) 843-3275 or send us an email at recruiting@chp.ca.gov.
Join many others like Officer Jo Escorpiso in the following video in our mission to serve and protect.
