You may take your written exam(s) proctored by PST staff member at locations around the Pacific Northwest. We recommend this option for anyone that lives in the Pacific Northwest.

PST has COVID-19 safety measures and precautions in place at all test sites. Please be aware that you may be require to wear a mask and follow other safety measures while testing in person.

Benefits of testing at a PST Test Site

• Direct interaction with PST staff to answer any questions, recieve personalized assistance.
• Network with other candidates testing at the same location
• Potential to network with agency recruiters who attend prior to the test start
• For law enforcement and corrections candidates, if you are taking a written exam at a PST test site, your physical ability test (PAT) may be included in the price of your test and administered the same day! Live-proctored PATs give you immediate feedback and results for your physical testing.

Schedule a written exam at a PST Test Site

PST partners with testing centers national to offer the ability to take your written exam(s) in locations around the United States, scheduled on an individual basis. Each exam is set up specifically for you, to fit your needs for both ease of scheduling and to reduce the cost of application. Most authorized testing centers are part of the National College Testing Association (NCTA).

Important Information

• There is an additional, non-refundable $15 processing fee in addition to the standard PST testing fee which will be charged at the time of your registration on our website (example: $55 testing fee + $15 processing fee).
• At certain test centers the candidate is responsible for paying an additional test proctor fee directly to the test center. This fee is in addition to the cost of registration on the PST website.
• Physical ability testing will not be administered at these test centers. You will be required to schedule these events separately. Be sure to check each agency’s profile for requirements regarding physical ability testing.
• You must schedule your written exam at least ONE (1) week in advance of the requested test date. Failure to provide one-week notice may result in your exam being rescheduled.

You will choose a test center from our authorized list during the check-out process. Please reach out to our Remote Testing Coordinator with any questions.

Schedule your written exam at an authorized testing center:

Law Enforcement

Corrections and Animal Control Officer

Firefighter

911 Dispatch

You can take your written exam in the comfort of your own home! No travel to a PST test site required.

• This testing option is available for Law Enforcement, Corrections, Firefighter, 911 Dispatcher, and EMT exams.
• This exam is administered online. There are specific equipment and test area requirements and considerations for taking the exam Online In-Home. Please review the In-Home Testing Requirements to ensure you can meet them before you register for an online exam.
  • LEO/CO/FF In-Home Testing Requirements
  • DST In-Home Testing Requirements
  • EMT In-Home Testing Requirements

Equipment Considerations.

• You must have both a mobile smartphone/tablet AND a desktop/laptop for the exam.
  • Mobile smartphone or tablet. Your mobile device will be used to connect to videoconferencing software so that PST can monitor you while you take the examination. Your device must meet the following requirements: 
    • iPhone 5 or later running iOS11 – iOS 13 
    • iPad 3rd gen or later running iOS11 – iOS 13 
    • Android device running Android OS 5 (Lollipop) – Android 10
  • Desktop or laptop PC. You will take the examination on your PC via a secure Testing Application you will download. Please pay close attention to the individual device requirements for your exam!
    • LEO/CO/FF Exam: WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM ONLY
    • DST: Windows OS or MacOS allowed
    • EMT: Windows OS or MacOS allowed
• A reliable internet connection on each device. Your mobile device and PC must be connected to the internet at all times. Your mobile device should have a 3G or WiFi connection. If you lose your internet connection at any time, you will be locked out of the examination.

Schedule an Online, In-Home Test

The physical ability test administered by Public Safety Testing is the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF)/International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Candidate Physical Ability Test© (CPAT).

CPAT rules require that you attend two (2) CPAT Orientations and two (2) CPAT Practice Tests prior to your actual CPAT. You may waive these requirements however you are highly encouraged to attend, especially if you have never taken the CPAT.

The firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), Orientations, and Practice CPATs are conducted on a regular basis at our CPAT Testing Training Centers in Tukwila and Spokane, WA.

In most cases, your CPAT must be completed within 180 days either before or after your written exam. It is your responsiblity to carefully read each of the department’s profiles to ensure you meet each of their CPAT requirements.

Schedule a CPAT

PST partners with Anytime Fitness locations nationwide to allow you additional flexibility in scheduling your physical ability test.

• Anytime Fitness may conduct the PAT for Law Enforcement and Corrections candidates testing for Washington, Idaho, and Alaska.
• The ORPAT CANNOT be completed at an Anytime Fitness location and must be scheduled directly with the agency.
• Your PAT must be scheduled through PST to qualify - reaching out to the club directly may negate your test results, and require you to test again.
• The fee to schedule with Anytime Fitness is $75.

Please review and ensure you understand the test requirements for your selected agencies prior to attending your test. It is your responsibility to be aware of and inform your test proctor of which standards you must complete.

Schedule at Anytime Fitness

You may take your Physical Ability Test (PAT) proctored by PST staff member at locations around the Pacific Northwest. If you are taking a written exam at a PST test site, your PAT may be included in the price of your test and administered the same day!

Test Requirements

The PAT will typically be administered in the following order:

1. Push-Ups
2. Sit-Ups
3. Squat Thrusts (WA only)
4. Vertical Jump (Idaho agencies ONLY)
5. 300 Meter Run (Idaho & Alaska agencies ONLY)
6. 1.5 Mile Run (Idaho & Alaska agencies ONLY)

Click HERE to view the point structure and specific requirements for each event.

Applying to agencies from different states:

While the events are similar for Washington, Idaho, & Alaska law enforcement agencies, the minimum requirements and scoring are different. Please familiarize yourself with the standards required of each state to which you are applying. You may test for any agency, regardless of agency location, at any of our test sites.

Most positions require the successful completion of the Physical Ability Test (PAT). This is the same test that is required for entrance into the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA), Corrections Officer Academy (COA), or State Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

If you do not pass your PAT, you may retest multiple times within one hundred eighty (180) days of your written exam date.

Some agencies only require their candidates to take just the written examination. Please check the agency profile to determine which exams you are required to complete.

Schedule a PAT at a PST Test Site

Our MOST FLEXIBLE OPTION! Sign up for a Virtual Physical Ability Test (V-PAT) and take your Law Enforcement and/or Corrections PAT for Washington State agencies anytime, anywhere. As with all of our tests, we recommend that you consider all your testing options and choose the best method for you.

Specific V-PAT Test Requirements & Considerations apply:

1. You must have either a mobile smartphone, tablet, or computer (only one is required).
2. A reliable internet connection.
3. Ensure you have all equipment and props required BEFORE starting your test. The test should take you 30-45 minutes to complete.
4. Your performance will be recorded and and uploaded to the PST website for proctoring and scoring. Events will be scored within 1-2 business days after submission.

Learn More & Sign Up!