HOW DO I BECOME A POLICE OFFICER?
That’s the number one question our recruiters get asked. The first step is to apply.
Use this step-by-step process to see if you are eligible to apply for entry level police officer.
Read each step carefully. If you skip a step, you may not be eligible to apply and you will be disqualified.
If you are a lateral officer this page does not apply to you. Lateral officers please click here.
Step 1 - College
Do you have 60 semester or 90 quarter college units?
Yes - Proceed to Step 2.
No - Do not proceed to Step 2. You must have this and there are no exceptions. Military service, life experience, etc. cannot be substituted.
Step 2 - Citizenship
Under federal law, are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
Yes - Proceed to Step 3.
No - Per California Government Code Section 1031 you are ineligible to apply. There are no exceptions.
Step 3 - Physical Traits
Are you at least 20 years of age at time of application filing and 21 years of age at time of job appointment?
Do you possess the strength and physical ability necessary to perform the essential functions of the position of Police Officer?
Do you possess the hearing, speech, and mental capabilities sufficient to perform all the essential functions of the position of Police Officer?
Are you willing to be fingerprinted?
Do you have a visual acuity of not less than 20/80 vision in each eye uncorrected, and corrected to 20/30 in each eye or corrected vision of 20/30 in each eye afforded by soft contact lenses?
Yes to each question - Proceed to Step 4.
No to any question - You are ineligible to apply.
Step 4 - physical agilty TEST
Have you passed the California POST Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) within the past year?
Yes - Proceed to Step 5.
No - You are ineligible to apply until you can provide the result of your WSTB. Do not submit an application without it because your application will be rejected. There are no exceptions. Click here to learn more about the test and where to take it.
STEP 5 - WRITTEN TEST
Within the past year have you either passed the California PELLET-B with a T-score of at least 50 or passed the National Testing Network Frontline Test with a score of at least 65% Video, 70% Reading, and 70% Writing?
Yes - Proceed to Step 6.
No - You are ineligible to apply until you can provide the result of either of the above-mentioned written tests. Do not submit an application without it because your application will be rejected. There are no exceptions. Click here to learn more about the test and where to take it.
STEP 6 - other requirements
Do you meet any and all requirements as listed on the job posting even those that may or may not be listed here?
Yes - Congratulations! You are eligible to apply.
No - You are ineligible to apply until meet all of the requirements. There are no exceptions.