How to Become a Deputy Sheriff in North Dakota

Burleigh County Sheriff Department Jobs

The Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department has combined its hiring process with the Morton County Sheriff’s Department as well as the cities of Lincoln, Bismarck, Minot and Mandan. All of these law enforcement entities offer the same qualifying examination to persons who wish to become a Burleigh County Sheriff Deputy or police officer in the other areas listed.


The process for becoming a Burleigh County Deputy Sheriff may take up to two months. If you’re interested in learning how to become a Burleigh County Sheriff’s Deputy, follow these steps:

  1. Meet the minimum qualifications
  2. Pass a written examination and interview
  3. Pass background, medical and physical tests
  4. Pass a lie detector test
  5. Complete North Dakota Peace Officer Training

Step 1.  Meet the Minimum Qualifications for Burleigh County Deputy Sheriff Candidacy

You must meet the following minimum requirements before applying for Burleigh County Deputy Sheriff jobs:

  • U.S. citizenship
  • At least 18 years old
  • Have a valid driver’s license
  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Have at least two years (60 semesters) college credit or an Associate’s degree, with a 2.0 GPA

Do you meet the above requirements? If so, apply to become a Burleigh County Deputy Sheriff online.

Step 2. Pass a Written Examination and Interview

If you qualify, you will be contacted to schedule a written examination for Burleigh County Deputy Sheriff candidacy. The Law Enforcement Exam is held on the last Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the ND Job Service offices in Bismarck. When you apply to take the exam, you must include a $25 exam fee (via money order only). Applications and fees must be received three weeks before the exam date. Mail them to Burleigh County Human Resources, P.O. Box 5518, Bismarck, ND 58506-5518.

You must receive a score of 75 or better to pass the exam, which will test your memory skills, comprehension, judgment and map reading skills, among other things. If you pass the exam, you will be placed on a list of persons eligible to continue in the hiring process. You may be contacted for an oral interview with Human Resources and/or the Sheriff’s Department.

Step 3. Pass a Background Investigation, Medical Exam and Physical Agility Test

If you pass the interview, you may be selected for the next phase of hiring. This includes a medical examination (including drug screening test), physical agility test, and thorough background investigation. The background investigation will check your civil, criminal, personal, employment and educational history. If you have any felonies or certain types of misdemeanor convictions in your criminal history, you may be disqualified from employment. In addition, if you have hard drug or marijuana usage in your recent history, you may be disqualified from employment.

Step 4. Receive Conditional Job Offer and Pass a Lie Detector Test

If you pass Step 3, you will receive a conditional offer to become a Deputy Sheriff in Burleigh County. Next, you must pass a lie detector test. This is the final phase in the hiring process. Passing this will render you ready to begin North Dakota Peace Officer (POST) Training and receive a final offer to become a Burleigh County Deputy Sheriff.

Step 5. Complete North Dakota POST Training

Congratulations! You have passed the 30 to 60 day hiring process and are now a Burleigh County Deputy Sheriff candidate! The next step is to complete the state’s mandatory Peace Officer (POST) training. This will last approximately one semester, and is offered in various locations. Training will be given in firearms, emergency response, accident investigation, and evidence collection, among other topics.

Cass County Sheriff Department Jobs

Cass County Deputy Sheriff jobs are responsible for protecting the citizens of Cass County, North Dakota.  In order to become a Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy, you must fulfill educational and training requirements. These will ensure that you are well-prepared to take on the duties and responsibilities of a Cass County Deputy Sheriff.

Follow these steps to become a Cass County Sheriff Deputy:

  1. Meet the educational requirements
  2. Apply to start North Dakota Peace Office Training
  3. Pass psychological and medical examinations
  4. Pass a background check
  5. Complete North Dakota POST Training and Apply to Become a Cass County Deputy Sheriff

Step 1.  Meet the Educational Requirements for Cass County Deputy Sheriff Candidacy

Cass County, North Dakota requires that all Deputy Sheriffs have at least two years of college experience. Although an Associate’s Degree is not necessary, having one might make you stand out from other candidates who just possess two years of college education but no degree.

Cass County also requires that Deputy Sheriffs complete North Dakota POST (Peace Officer) training prior to beginning work. As some colleges and academies offer this training, getting it before applying for a position as a Cass County Deputy Sheriff might also make you stand out among other Deputy Sheriff applicants.

Step 2. Apply to Begin North Dakota Peace Officer Training

Before submitting an application to begin North Dakota Peace Officer (POST) Training, you must verify that you meet these requirements:

  • Have at least a high school diploma or GED
  • If you have completed any education past high school, you must have a 2.0 GPA
  • Are a U.S. citizen/resident alien legal to work in the U.S.
  • Have a valid driver’s license and no points on it

Once you have made sure that you qualify, you may submit an application to begin North Dakota Peace Officer Training

Step 3. Pass Psychological and Medical Examinations

The next phase of qualifying for North Dakota POST Training involves passing psychological and medical examinations. The medical examination may be performed by your own physician, who must verify that you can pass the physically challenging POST Training program.

The psychological examination must be performed at a POST-approved location. These locations are:

  • Minot:  For $140 you can be psychologically evaluated in the fall at Rifle and Pistol Club
  • Fargo: For $140 you can receive a psychological evaluation in the fall and spring at Fargo’s Regional Training Center
  • Devil’s Lake: For $110, psychological evaluations are offered year-round
  • Grand Forks: For $140, psychological evaluations are offered at the Grand Forks Public Safety Center in the spring only

Step 4. Pass a Background Check

After passing the examinations listed in Step 3, you must pass a thorough background check. This check will delve into any drug and criminal history you may or may not have. Criminal and drug-related actions that will bar you from participating in North Dakota POST training include:

  • Felony convictions at any time in your history
  • Domestic violence convictions at any time
  • Class 3 misdemeanor convictions in the past three years
  • Class A misdemeanor convictions in the past five years
  • Marijuana use in the past two years
  • Use of hard drugs in the past seven years

Step 5. Complete North Dakota POST Training and Apply for Cass County Deputy Sheriff Candidacy

If you pass the steps above, you will be accepted into North Dakota POST Training. This usually lasts one semester and offers training in topics including (but not limited to) first aid, firearms, evidence collection, defensive tactics, physical fitness, and accident investigation.

When you have received your North Dakota POST license, you may use this online application to apply for a Cass County Deputy Sheriff job.

Grand Forks County Sheriff Department Jobs

Grand Forks County, North Dakota has been named one of the 100 best communities in which to live by America’s Promise Alliance. This is due, in large part, to the success of employees of the Grand Forks County Sheriff Department in keeping residents safe. Grand Forks County Deputy Sheriff jobs are vital to this effort.

If you wish to learn how to become a Grand Forks County Sheriff Deputy, read below to learn more detail on these steps:

  1. Earn a two year degree, or complete two years of post-high school education
  2. Apply to begin Peace Officer Training
  3. Pass a psychological examination
  4. Pass a thorough background investigation and medical exam
  5. Complete Peace Officer Training and apply to work as a Deputy Sheriff

Step 1.  Complete Two Years of Education Past High School

In order to become a Grand Forks County Deputy Sheriff, you must have completed two years of education after high school. You might consider getting an Associate’s Degree during this time. This is necessary before applying for a Deputy Sheriff job in Grand Forks County.

Step 2.  Apply to Begin Peace Officer Training

Having your North Dakota Peace Officer POST license is necessary before you may begin work as a Grand Forks County Deputy Sheriff. If you earn the license now, before applying for the Deputy Sheriff position, you will stand out among the other applicants.

You must meet some basic requirements before you can apply to a Peace Officer training program:

  • Be at least 19 years old and out of high school for at least one year
  • Have a high school diploma/GED
  • Have a 2.0 GPA in any education past high school
  • Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien
  • Have a valid driver’s license with no points against it

If you meet these requirements, apply to the Peace Officer Training Program.

Step 3. Pass a Psychological Examination

You must then pass a North Dakota POST-approved Psychological Examination. This may be taken at one of the following locations:

  • Fargo: offered in the fall and spring at Fargo Regional Training Center, cost $140
  • Grand Forks: offered in the spring at the Grand Forks Public Safety Center, cost $140
  • Devil’s Lake: offered at any time, cost $110
  • Minot: offered in the fall at the Minot Rifle and Pistol Club, cost $140

Step 4. Pass a Medical Exam and Background Investigation

Next, you must pass a physical medical exam certifying that you are physically healthy enough to complete the rigorous POST training program. You may schedule this exam with your own doctor and have him or her complete the certification form found in the application packet.

You must also pass a background investigation. This examination will investigate your criminal history and drug use history as well. You must not have any felony convictions or domestic violence convictions in your history, nor Class 3 misdemeanor convictions within the past three years. You must not have used marijuana within the past two years. You must not have any Class A misdemeanor convictions within the past five years. You must not have used any hard drugs within the past seven years.

You will be fingerprinted using LiveScan technology once you are accepted into the POST training program.

Step 5. Complete POST Training and Apply to Become a Grand Forks County Deputy Sheriff

POST training will last for one semester and will include classes in the following areas:

  • Firearms
  • First Aid
  • Physical fitness
  • Defensive tactics
  • Accident investigation
  • Evidence collection
  • Fingerprinting

After receiving your North Dakota POST license, you may apply for any open Grand Forks County Deputy Sheriff jobs. Fill out the Grand Forks Sheriff’s Office Employment Application. It must be mailed to Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Department, P.O. Box 12608, Grand Forks, ND 58201-2608. Attach the following:

  • Copy of your high school diploma/GED
  • Copy of your North Dakota Peace Officer License
  • 3×5 photo of yourself
  • Copy of any college degree you possess
  • Resume (optional)

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