Entry level (recruit) applicants will take a Police Officer Standards and Testing (POST) academy entrance examination.  It is an English comprehension and vocabulary test.  Visit POST's web site to learn more about the academy entrance examination and take a practice test.  Click here to go to the Selection and Recruitment section of the POST's web site and then click on the Practice Test link.

Entry level, California academy graduate and California lateral applicants will also be required to complete a physical agility test consisting of:

• running 220 yards in (1) minute or less
• climbing a 6 foot wall in (1) minute or less

The assessment is offered Tuesday mornings at 8:30 a.m.  The entire examination takes about 4½ hours to complete.  To make a reservation for the assessment, please call SBRPSTC at (408) 270-6492 or (408) 270-6458.

Lateral/Academy graduate applicants need to specify that they are taking the physical agility test only.  They will be told when to arrive for that portion of the test.  Appointments for the physical agility test will depend on the number of applicants taking the written test and so will vary from day to day.

Upon successful completion of the assessment and after completing the San Jose State University employment application, applicants will be screened to ensure minimum qualifications are met.  A copy of your SBRPTSC certificate showing test results must be attached to your application for it to be accepted. Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in a 100% weighted oral board to determine their placement on the eligibility list.

Applicants who successfully pass the oral board are grouped by “band” (A-band, B-band or C-band).  Everyone in a particular band is considered equal in terms of eligibility.  As the bands are certified, the applicants will be contacted for a background interview, background investigation, polygraph exam, psychological examination, a medical exam and finally, a Chief’s interview.

The University reserves the right to use alternative testing procedures if deemed necessary.

The application process will begin at the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium’s (SBRPSTC) Criminal Justice Training Center located at Evergreen Valley College, San Jose.