Selection Process

Thank you for considering a career opportunity as a Peace Officer with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). To be eligible for appointment, candidates must be successful in each of the following selection components:

Written Examination
Written Examination is by appointment only; walk-ins are not an option. Candidates that do not appear for the written examination will be disqualified and will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date. Written Examination date and time cannot be rescheduled. To learn more about the types of questions asked on the exam, click here, the Sample Test.

Vision Test (Pass/Fail)
This test checks an applicant's vision. If the applicant does not have 20/20 vision in each eye, a written certification is required from an optometrist or ophthalmologist indicating that vision is correctable to 20/20 in each eye.

NOTE: 1) If your vision is NOT 20/20 or better in each eye, or 2) if you use any type of corrective lenses, you need to print out the Peace Officer Vision Verification (OPOS 07C) form by clicking this link and have it filled out by your eye doctor. Bring the completed form with you on your scheduled test date. If you need to have the form completed and do NOT bring it with you, you will NOT be tested.

For further detail please see our Vision Requirements Fact Sheet by clicking this link.

Physical Abilities Test (PAT) (Pass/Fail)
For a detailed description of the PAT, read our PAT brochure by clicking this link .

Physical Abilities Test

• Physical Abilities Tests (PAT) is administered by appointment only.
• Physical Abilities Test date and time cannot be rescheduled.
• Candidates that do not appear for the PAT will be disqualified and will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date.
• Candidates are given 1 opportunity to pass the PAT.
• Candidates that do not pass the PAT will be disqualified and will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date.

Fingerprinting
Applicants will be fingerprinted after they pass the PAT. Each finger is scanned into a computer database and checked against criminal records nationwide. Information may include dismissed charges.

Pre-Investigatory Interview (Pass/Fail)
The Pre-Investigatory Interview (PII) is the beginning of the Background Investigation process. The purpose of this recorded interview is to provide the opportunity to clarify information submitted by the applicant for the position applied. The PII provides the opportunity to ensure the applicant's background can be initiated with complete and accurate information and concluded in the shortest time frame possible.

Pre-Investigatory Interview

• Candidates that pass the PAT will be contacted by a Background Investigator and scheduled for a pre-investigatory interview.
• Candidates that do not keep the scheduled pre-investigatory interview will be disqualified and will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date.
• Pre-Investigatory Interview date and time cannot be rescheduled.
• Candidates that are disqualified/withheld as a result of information obtained during the pre-investigatory interview will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification/withhold date.

Background Investigation (Clearance/Withhold)
As a minimum requirement, a thorough background investigation must be conducted prior to an applicant's appointment or training as a Peace Officer. Relevant information concerning a Peace Officer candidate's integrity, past behavior, unlawful activities, job performance and other topics are explored during the investigation. Information obtained during the background investigation is relevant and material because an applicant's conduct reflects his/her character, credibility and moral values.

It takes approximately 90 days to complete the background investigation. A complex background investigation, or a background investigation with serious issues, may exceed this timeframe. For further detail please see the PHS by clicking this link.

Written Peace Officer Psychological Evaluation (POPE)
This evaluation consists of a series of questions applicants respond to based upon their personal preferences. The information will be used in the Oral POPE.

Written Psychological Exam

• Written Psychological Exam is administered in the afternoon on the same day as the written examination appointment.
• Written Psychological Exam date and time cannot be rescheduled.
• Candidates that pass the written examination return in the afternoon to take the written psychological exam.
• Candidates that do not return for the written psychological examination in the afternoon will be disqualified and will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date.

Oral Peace Officer Psychological Evaluation (POPE) (Pass/Fail)
Once an applicant's background investigation has been cleared, the information is sent to the State Personnel Board (SPB), where the applicant will be contacted by a member of the Psychological Screening Unit, to schedule an oral POPE interview.

Oral Peace Officer Psychological Evaluation(POPE)

• Oral Peace Officer Psychological Evaluation (POPE) interviews are administered by appointment only.
• Candidates that do not appear for the oral POPE will be disqualified and will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date.
• POPE date and time cannot be rescheduled.
• Candidates that do not provide requested information by the due date will be disqualified and will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date.
• Candidates who are disapproved in the POPE will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date.

Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEM) (Pass/Fail)
This is a complete physical exam conducted by medical doctors under contract with the CDCR to evaluate an applicant's overall physical health. All candidates going through PEM will under go a "visual genitourinary system examination as well as a rectal examination".

Pre-Employment Medical Examination Process

• Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEM) is administered by appointment only.
• PEM date and time cannot be rescheduled.
• Candidates that do not appear for the PEM will be disqualified and will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date.
• Candidates that do not provide requested information by the due date will be disqualified and will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date.
• Candidates who are disapproved in the PEM will not be able to reapply for 1 year from the disqualification date.

Tuberculosis Screening
Prior to reporting to the Training Academy, applicants are responsible for ensuring they are free from tuberculosis with a certification from their physician.

Appointment Process
After successfully completing all of the selection components, candidates are placed on the certification list, which gives them eligibility to be appointed as a peace officer.

Institution Assignment
Institution assignment is based on departmental need. Each time an academy is scheduled, the Division of Adult Institutions or Division of Juvenile Justice provides OPOS with the location and how many cadets are needed for each location. Candidates are not guaranteed an academy offer at any time while on the certification list.