Alaska - Physical Ability Test Requirements
Candidates
Alaska - Physical Ability Test Requirements
Applying to agencies from differing states - The below standards apply to applicants for the Juneau Police Department and Fairbanks Police Department. While the events are similar for Idaho and Washington law enforcement agencies, the minimum requirements and scoring may be different.
For those applicants that are applying to Washington and/or Idaho/Alaska agencies, please familiarize yourself with the standards required of each state. You must pass the standards for each state if you have applied to agencies from each state - this is not as difficult or as confusing as it may initially appear. It is possible, for example, that you could pass the physical ability test in one state, but not in the other. In such example, your application and scores would be sent to the agencies in the state from which you passed.
Applicants for Alaska Law Enforcement positions must successfully complete the following Physical Fitness Test Battery (PFTB).
- A maximum of 100 points is possible.
- A minimum of 10 points is required for each individual test.
- You must successfully pass each event. Failing one event will constitute a failure of the PFTB.
You are encouraged to review the PFTB requirements prior to your test date. The PFTB standards will be strictly followed.
| Alaska | |
|---|---|
| Event #1 | 300 Meter Sprint |
| Event #2 | Push-Ups |
| Event #3 | Sit-Ups (1 minute) |
| Event #4 | 1.5 Mile Run |
If you do not pass your physical ability test, you have one unlimited retest opportunities to pass a physical ability test within 180 days from your written exam date. There is a fee associated with each PAT.
Physical Ability Test
Events
Event #1 - 300 Meter Run
Event #2 - Maximum Push-Up Test
Event #3 - One Minute Sit-Up Test
Event #4 - 1.5 Mile Run / Walk Test
Physical Ability Preparation and Conditioning
1. Conditioning Program for the Push-up Test
2. Conditioning Program for the One-Minute Sit-up Test
3. Conditioning for the 1.5 Mile Run
4. Conditioning for the 300 Meter Run
Preparing For The Fitness Ability Test
Whereas many training routines can be used to improve performance in the PFTB, participants should keep in mind that physical training is specific. That is, one improves in activities practiced. If one wishes to optimize push-up performance, push-ups should be included in the training program. Many other exercises can also be included to strengthen the chest, shoulders and arms, but push-ups should be included in the routine. Ideally, muscles and the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems should be gradually, progressively trained over several weeks or months to achieve significant fitness gains. Physical adaptations occur gradually in response to regular, consistent overloads, i.e. doing more than your body is accustomed to doing. Everyone is different- a stimulus resulting in an appropriate, moderate overload to one person may be impossible for another person to perform, while yet another person is not stressed at all. A participant who has been inactive for a significant period of time should ideally take six to twelve weeks to train for the PFTB.
The training routine should include exercises to train upper body strength and muscular endurance, abdominal muscular endurance, leg power, cardio-respiratory endurance and anaerobic capacity. Strength and cardio-respiratory endurance activities should be performed about every other day, or three days per week, to allow adequate recovery and positive adaptations to occur. Anaerobic (high intensity) training should be done once per week, and can be performed in lieu of a cardio-respiratory training session. For flexibility enhancement, good back health, and injury prevention, stretching exercises should be performed before and after training sessions, and can be done on off days as well.
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 a 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 subject 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 that this program is designed to build a person up, not tear him/her down. Particpants should pay close attention to their body for any indication of injury or over-use.
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Written Exam Requirements
Our written test is the first test you will take. This test measures skills and characteristics related to the job, but no prior experience is required. -
Physical Ability Test Requirements
A detailed look at the events and criteria associated with the Physical Ability Test for Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and Oregon. -
Test Day Requirements and Policies
Important information so you can arrive prepared on test day.
COVID-19 UPDATES
5/6/2020 Update:
TESTING IN WASHINGTON STATE CANCELED THROUGH MAY 31, 2020
All pre-employment tests in Washington State have been canceled until May 31, 2020 unless government restrictions are eased. With recent updates, facility closures, and government guidelines, this step is necessary and could be modified at any time. The health and safety of our customers, our staff, and their families is of the highest priority.
We will continue to evaluate developments and make changes to this policy as necessary. When we do resume testing, there will be plenty of events for everyone to test. We are in regular communication with our public safety agency partners, assessing alternatives to the traditional testing model and our testing policies. Any future updates will be posted on the PST website and our Facebook page.
4/1/2020 Update:
If you have tested with PST in the past 12 months, there may be additional positions you are now eligible to add. Several departments have temporarily changed their testing policies due to the suspension in testing that COVID-19 has caused. Please login to your PST account and navigate to the ‘New Positions’ page to see what departments you can add! We will regularly update that page in your account as departments send updates.
FUTURE TEST REGISTRATION
We know that there will be testing in the future - we just don’t know when! We want you to be prepared for when testing begins again so we have created test events on our calendar that you can register for that will place you in a queue to be first notified. These tests are not “real” test events, they are essentially a holding area. You will be able to “reschedule” out of that event to any other event date/location at no cost. Registering now will also give you time to work on your Personal History Statement (PHS) so that your data will be ready and up-to-date to send to your departments once testing resumes.
To sign up for this placeholder event, select the June 15, 2020 test date in your category (police, fire, 911 dispatch, corrections, etc.).
You may also click on the test event of interest below to sign up:
Law Enforcement & Corrections Written and Physical Ability Test
Please check back here frequently and ‘Like’ our Facebook page to stay updated.
PST staff are working remotely and are available by email at contact@publicsafetytesting.com. We anticipate a high email volume and will respond as quickly as possible.
