NYS COURT OFFICER - TRAINEE EXAM # 45-843

Important

FILE FOR THIS EXAM ONLY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING IN DOWNSTATE NEW YORK

Please note that the NYS COURT OFFICER-TRAINEE EXAMINATION 45-843 will be held ONLY at exam sites convenient to Downstate New York, which includes New York City, Long Island, and the following counties: Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester. There will be no test locations in Upstate New York. 

Passing candidates will ONLY be hired for DOWNSTATE NEW YORK LOCATIONS, specifically New York City (Judicial Districts 1, 2, 11, 12, 13), Long Island (Judicial District 10), and the following counties: Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester (Judicial District 9). (JUDICIAL DISTRICT MAP)

Refer to the examination announcement for details on examination dates and self-scheduling information. 

Eligible list #45-815, established March 30, 2022, will remain active for hiring in Downstate New York until eligible list #45-843 is established in the first half of 2026 as a result of this examination. After eligible list #45-843 is established in 2026, eligible list #45-815 will expire and become inactive. 

Salary

New York State Court Officer-Trainees enter the academy at Judicial Grade 16. Effective April 1, 2025, the Judicial Grade 16 starting salary will be $58,100. There will be an additional $4,920 in location pay for those working in NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester & Rockland, and an additional $2,460 in location pay for those working in Orange, Dutchess & Putnam. New York State Court Officer-Trainees are eligible for an annual Uniform & Equipment Allowance of $1,660 and an annual Security and Law Enforcement Differential (SLED) of $875. 

Upon successful completion of a two-year traineeship, New York State Court Officer-Trainees are promoted to New York State Court Officer at Judicial Grade 19. Effective April 1, 2025, the Judicial Grade 19 starting salary will be $68,593.  

Benefits

• Twenty (20) Paid Vacation Days in the 1st year
• Twenty-Seven (27) Paid Vacation Days by 7th year
• Thirteen (13) Paid Holidays
• Pre-Tour Prep Leave Time
• Union Membership
• Regular Work Schedule
• Excellent Health Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Retirement Benefits
• Limited Evening and Weekend Assignments
• Deferred Compensation Option

Minimum Qualifications to be Appointed

New York State Court Officer-Trainees, at time of appointment to the position*, must be:

• at least 20.5 years old
• a high school graduate or equivalent
• A United States Citizen
• A resident of New York State
• Valid New York State Driver’s License
• Legally eligible to purchase and carry firearms    

Examination Information

• Announcement
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Physical Ability, Medical, Psychological and Background Screening
• Subject Matter
• Preparing for the Exam
• Practice Examination

Related Links

• Talogy Appointment Scheduling Guide
• How to Select Test Center/Date Range
• Minor’s Release Form
• Examination Unit
• Court Officer-Trainee Recruitment

Veteran Credit Form (Only for applicants claiming veteran credits)

• Veteran Credit Form
• Veteran Credit Eligibility Summary

NY State Unified Court System employees will be required to select among the dates/times available on Saturdays and Sundays during the exam administration period. Those employees that are regularly scheduled to work weekends shall be granted excused  leave to take the exam during work hours in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement or Rules of the Chief Judge.  

*NY State Court Officer-Trainees who fail to meet performance standards during Academy Basic Training may be terminated at any time as the minimum probationary period under Rules of the Chief Judge 25.22(b) does not apply to New York State Court Officer-Trainees.