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Corrections Officer - Physical Test Requirements - Washington

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Corrections Officer - Physical Test Requirements - Washington

NEW WASHINGTON STATE PAT STANDARDS IN EFFECT - JANUARY 1ST, 2021

Effective January 1st, 2021, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) has updated the PAT standards for entry into the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) and Corrections Officer Academy (COA).

PST will ONLY offer the NEW 2021 PAT standards for Washington State candidates effective January 1st, 2021.

If you are taking the PAT AFTER January 1st, please review the NEW 2021 PAT standards HERE.

The following physical ability test is administered to Corrections Officer applicants. This test is required for entrance into the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission's Corrections Officer Academy.

You are encouraged to review the PAT requirements prior to your test date. The PAT standards will be strictly followed.

The three event scores are totaled to reach the final score. A minimum of 120 points is required to pass.

Washington
Event #1 Push-Ups
Event #2 Sit-Ups (1 minute)
Event #3 1.5 Mile Run

If you do not pass your physical ability test, you have one (1) retest opportunity to pass a physical ability test within three (3) months from your written exam date. There will be an additonal fee for the physical ability retest.Physical ability retest fee: $35.


Physical Ability Test

Events

Event #1 - Push-Ups

This test is used to measure the muscular strength/endurance of the upper body, particularly the shoulders, chest, and triceps (back of upper arm) used in high intensity defensive tactics training and application. This is a critical component of use of force involving pushing, grabbing, and breaking one's fall to the ground, as well as getting back up off the ground. 

The push-up is conducted with the participant starting in the up position. A counter lies facing the participant with a four-inch cube placed under the participant's chest. The count begins when the participant's chest compresses the cube and finishes when the participant returns to the up position with the elbows fully extended.

A correct pushup is performed when the participant's back is flat (NO arch or bow), the feet are together (one foot can be placed on the heel of the other), and the hands are shoulder width apart. You may only rest in the up position.

# Of Repetitions2.63 pts / rep
23 60.53
22 57.90
21 55.27
20 52.64
19 50.00
18 47.38
17 47.38
16 42.11
15 39.48

Event #2 - Sit-Ups (One Minute)

This test is used to measure the muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility of the abdominal muscles. These torso muscles are some of the most used muscles in the body. They are used to bend and twist the torso and to generate power used in many of the control tactics taught at the academy, as well as performing other tasks that involve the use of force. These muscles are also important for maintaining good posture and minimizing lower back problems.

The sit-up is conducted with the participant lying on their back with knees bent to a 90-degree angle and the heels of their feet on the perimeter of a padded floor mat. A spotter straddles the participant's feet holding the knees tightly, and a counter kneels behind the participant with a hand placed beneath the participant's head.

The participant has a choice of two positions for their hands on the head:

  1. Position 1 is with the hands behind the head and the fingers laced. The fingers MUST stay laced behind the head for the repetition to count.
  2. Position 2 is the hands are cupped over the ears along side the head. Again, the hands MUST stay cupped over the ears for the repetition to count.

Once in position, the participant has one minute to do as many correct sit-ups as they can do. One full repetition starts with the back on the mat. The participant then comes forward all the way to break the plane of their knees with their elbow, or touch elbows to knees. They then come back down to the mat so that their head touches the counter's hand. You may rest only in the up position.

# Of Repetitions2.67 pt / rep
18 48.06
17 45.39
16 42.74
15 40.00
14 37.38
13 34.71
12 32.04

Event #3 - 1.5 Mile Run

This test is a measure of cardio-respiratory endurance or the aerobic capacity used in extended control and prolonged defensive tactics training. This is important for performing tasks involving stamina and endurance, e.g., prolonged uses of force, continuous performance in 8-hour use of force training classes, and minimizing the risk of cardiovascular health problems.

A minimum of 120 points is required to pass the physical ability test for Corrections' applicants.

Time Points
16:37 50
16:38 49.5
16:39 49
16:40 48.5
16:41 48
16:42 47.5
16:43 47
16:44 46.5
16:45 46
16:46 45.5
16:47 45
16:48 44.5
16:49 44
16:50 43.5
16:51 43
16:52 42.5
16:53 42
16:54 41.5
16:55 41
16:56 40.5
16:57 40
Time Points
16:58 39.5
16:59 39
17:00 38.5
17:01 38
17:02 37.5
17:03 37
17:04 36.5
17:05 36
17:06 35.5
17:07 35
17:08 34.5
17:09 34
17:10 33.5
17:11 33
17:12 32.5
17:13 32
17:14 31.5
17:15 31
17:16 30.5
17:17 30.0
17:18 29.5
Time Points
17:19 29
17:20 28.5
17:21 28
17:22 27.5
17:23 27
17:24 26.5
17:25 26
17:26 25.5
17:27 25
17:28 24.5
17:29 24
17:30 23.5
17:31 23
17:32 22.5
17:33 22
17:34 21.5
17:35 21
17:36 20.5
17:37 20
17:38 19.5
17:39 19
Time Points
17:40 18.5
17:41 18
17:42 17.5
17:43 17
17:44 16.5
17:45 16
17:46 15.5
17:47 15
17:48 14.5
17:49 14
17:50 13.5
17:51 13
17:52 12.5
17:53 12
17:54 11.5
17:55 11
17:56 10.5

Physical Ability Preparation and Conditioning

The purpose of this video is to provide you with training and preparation tips so that you can perform your best on the Public Safety Physical Ability test. However, each state has different standards and acceptable methods, so it is important to be aware of your state's requirements before testing. Specific standards and instructions can be found on on this page.

1. Conditioning Program for the Push-up Test

Determine exercise level by measuring how many pushups the subject can complete in 60 seconds. This number becomes the "set", which will change with participation in the program.

When performing pushups, be sure the subject continues until muscular failure occurs in the straight-knee position and then continues until failure occurs in the bent-knee position.

  • If the total number is 15 or less, begin at level A.
  • If the subject's total number is greater than 15, begin at level B.

Subject should work toward reaching level C below.

  • Level A - 1 set 3 times a week for 1 week
  • Level B - 2 sets 3 times a week for 2 weeks
  • Level C - 3 sets 3 times a week until testing

2. Conditioning Program for the One-Minute Sit-up Test

Determine exercise level by measuring how many sit-ups the subject can complete in 60 seconds. This number becomes the "set", which will change with participation in the program.

  • If the subject's total number is 15 or less, begin at level A.
  • If the subject's total number is greater than 15, begin at level B.

Subject should work toward reaching level C below.

  • Level A - 1 set 3 times a week for 1 week
  • Level B - 2 sets 3 times a week for 2 weeks
  • Level C - 3 sets 3 times a week until testing

When training for sit-ups, be sure the subject continues until muscular failure occurs and then continues with his/her hands by the hips until muscular failure occurs again.

3. Conditioning for the 1.5 Mile Run

Listed below is a very gradual training schedule that will allow the subject to work at maximum effort in the 1.5 mile run. Generally, it is recommended that the subject reach a training distance that is twice the testing level.

Week Activity Distance Time (min.) Frequency
1 Walk 1 Mile 20 - 17 5 / Week
2 Walk 1.5 Mile 29 - 25 5 / Week

Subjects should continue to increase speed and decrease time for completion of a 3-mile jog 3 times per week with a maximal speed 1.5 mile run 1 day per week. If the subject is able to adapt and advance more quickly than the schedule recommends, he/she should do so. However, be sure that the subject's exercise program does not cause any undue muscle soreness or strain. Subjects may also use their sprint training as part of their distance training program.

Before beginning a physical exercise program it is strongly recommended that the individual be cleared by a doctor to undertake such a program. Individuals 40 years of age or older should not begin an exercise program until they have been cleared by a doctor.

The following program is progressive to allow the body time to adapt and build up. It is assumed that the applicant will begin this program at least 12 weeks in advance of the test date.

Delayed muscle soreness (24-48 hours post exercise) may occur as a result of any new exercise program. This soreness should only be mild in nature and should dissipate prior to the next scheduled exercise session. If significant or severe soreness exists, the student exercised too hard and therefore should not perform any exercise (other than stretching) that stresses the affected area until all soreness has disappeared completely.

Remember, this program is designed to build a person up, not tear him/her down. Students should pay close attention to their body for any indication of injury or over-use.