diff --git a/tests/core/pyspec/eth2spec/test/helpers/state.py b/tests/core/pyspec/eth2spec/test/helpers/state.py
index 666023fec..b4c9e1d67 100644
--- a/tests/core/pyspec/eth2spec/test/helpers/state.py
+++ b/tests/core/pyspec/eth2spec/test/helpers/state.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from eth2spec.test.context import expect_assertion_error, is_post_altair
 from eth2spec.test.helpers.block import apply_empty_block, sign_block, transition_unsigned_block
+from eth2spec.test.helpers.voluntary_exits import get_exited_validators
 
 
 def get_balance(state, index):
@@ -133,3 +134,24 @@ def _set_empty_participation(spec, state, current=True, previous=True):
 
 def set_empty_participation(spec, state, rng=None):
     _set_empty_participation(spec, state)
+
+
+def ensure_state_has_validators_across_lifecycle(spec, state):
+    """
+    Scan the validator registry to ensure there is at least 1 validator
+    for each of the following lifecycle states:
+        1. Pending / deposited
+        2. Active
+        3. Exited
+        4. Slashed
+    """
+    has_pending = any(filter(spec.is_eligible_for_activation_queue, state.validators))
+
+    current_epoch = spec.get_current_epoch(state)
+    has_active = any(filter(lambda v: spec.is_active_validator(v, current_epoch), state.validators))
+
+    has_exited = any(get_exited_validators(spec, state))
+
+    has_slashed = any(filter(lambda v: v.slashed, state.validators))
+
+    return has_pending and has_active and has_exited and has_slashed