How to Become an NYC Environmental Police Officer: Requirements

Facts checked against DCAS Notice of Examination No. 6305, the newest posted notice for this title, and Notice No. 5304 for the change in college credits.

This guide explains how to become an NYC Environmental Police Officer and covers the NYC Environmental Police Officer requirements in plain English: education or experience, age, residency, citizenship, the driver license and the steps before appointment. Most of these rules are checked by the date of appointment, not the test date, but the age rule is tied to the first day of filing. The next exam, No. 7305, has filing planned to begin on December 2, 2026, so check the age rule now. Its notice is not posted yet, and it may change these rules.

Education or experience: 24 credits or the military or law enforcement route

By the date of appointment, you need a four-year high school diploma or its equivalent plus one of these:

• 24 college semester credits with at least a 2.0 grade point index, or
• two years of honorable full-time US military service, or
• one year of law enforcement experience.

Education from outside the United States must be evaluated for US equivalence, at your own expense.

The credit rule changed. Exam 5304 (filing December 2024 to March 2025) asked for 30 college credits. Exam 6304 and Exam 6305 ask for 24. Requirements can change from one notice to the next, so read the notice for your own exam when it posts.

Age limit: under 35 on the first day of filing

• To take the test: at least 16.
• To be appointed: at least 20.
• Maximum age: you must be under 35 on the first day of the application period to be appointed.

Time on military duty, as defined in New York State Military Law section 243, can be subtracted from your age for this rule, up to seven years. For example, a candidate who is 37 on the first day of filing and has three years of military duty would count as 34 for this rule.

The age limit is tied to the first day of filing, so the date each exam opens matters. Filing for Exam 7305 is planned to begin on December 2, 2026, and filing for Exam 7306 on April 7, 2027 (DCAS schedule). These are planning dates. If you are close to 35, check the exact first filing day in each notice when it posts.

Residency

By the date of appointment, you must live in New York City or in one of these counties: Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Dutchess, Greene, Sullivan, Putnam, Delaware, Ulster, Rockland, Orange or Schoharie. The posts themselves are in the Bronx and in Westchester, Dutchess, Greene, Sullivan, Putnam, Delaware, Ulster, Orange and Schoharie Counties, which the notice sums up as "currently outside New York City and in the Bronx." Living in the City or a nearby county does not mean you will work near home.

Citizenship, driver license and English

• Citizenship: you must be a US citizen at appointment.
• Driver license: you need a valid New York State driver license at appointment, and you must keep it for as long as you hold the job. The work includes driving on patrol.
• English: you must be able to understand and be understood in English.

Character and background

Proof of good character is required for appointment. Factors the notice lists as possible grounds for disqualification include:

• arrests or convictions that show a lack of good moral character
• a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces
• petit larceny

A felony conviction or a conviction for a domestic violence misdemeanor bars appointment. There is an investigation before appointment, with a $75.00 fingerprint screening fee.

Medical, psychological, physical test and drug screening

• Medical and psychological assessments before appointment.
• A qualifying physical test. The notice requires it but does not describe what it consists of. We found no official description of the events or standards.
• Drug screening before appointment and during the Police Academy, with random testing after that. The notice says the policy is zero tolerance.

The notice also lists the physical side of the job: outdoor work in all weather, foot and car patrol, running after a suspect, climbing stairs, carrying an injured adult with help, restraining a person with handcuffs, detecting the smell of smoke or gas, using a radio with background noise and reading and writing in low light. The duties themselves are in what an Environmental Police Officer does.

Police Officer status, Police Academy, probation and firearms

• Police Officer status: you must meet the New York State requirements for Police Officer status.
• Probation: 24 months. It includes the Police Academy firearms, academic, physical performance and driving tests.
• Firearms: you must qualify with firearms twice a year for your whole career.

Fees and pay

• Application fee: $68.00 for Exam 6305. The 7305 fee is not posted yet. Fee waivers are covered in the guide to how the exam works.
• Fingerprint fee: $75.00 at the investigation.
• Salary (Notice 6305): $52,333 for the first 26 weeks, $60,038 after 26 weeks and $80,391 after six and a half years at Assignment Level I, plus an annual uniform allowance, longevity pay, Welfare Fund benefits and City-paid health insurance. New officers are appointed at Level I of three assignment levels. City payroll data and the difference between base pay and overtime are in the salary guide.

Extra points for veterans and legacy credit

Under New York State Civil Service Law section 85, eligible veterans get 5 extra points (10 for disabled veterans) on an exam for original appointment, added only to a passing score (NYS Civil Service Law 85). Legacy credit is available to some children and siblings of certain City workers who died in the line of duty or as a result of the September 11, 2001, attack (Special Circumstances Guide). Both must be claimed before the eligible list is established.

Before you apply: a quick checklist

1. You will be under 35 on the first day of filing (after subtracting any military duty, up to seven years) and at least 20 by appointment.
2. You have, or will have by appointment, a high school diploma or equivalent plus 24 college credits, two years of military service or one year of law enforcement experience.
3. You will live in New York City or one of the 12 listed counties at appointment.
4. You will be a US citizen with a New York State driver license at appointment.
5. You are ready for a background investigation, medical and psychological assessments, a physical test and drug screening.

Then start practicing: read the nine abilities explained, and see what happens after the exam.