Are you qualified to be a Portland Police Officer?

Entry Level: Minimum Requirements and Disqualifiers

The Hiring Process is broken down into phases.

The process is for both in-state and out-of-state applicants.

Phase 1: Apply and the Test
Phase 2: Personal History Questionnaire
Phase 3: Personal History Statement
Phase 4: Background Investigation (Physical Ability Test during this phase)
Phase 5: Command Interview
Phase 6: Psychological Evaluation
Phase 7: Medical Exam

Phase 1: Apply and Testing 

1. Apply with the City of Portland  

2. Take the NTN

• It is encouraged to take NTN Test within 60 days of application (if you possess a bachelor’s degree or you’re a lateral officer, you do not need to take the NTN test). Create account with the National Testing Network (NTN). We have partnered with the National Testing Network (NTN) to administer the entry level test to become a Portland Police Officer. This allows our applicants to take the test from anywhere in the country. 

• Schedule your exams with NTN. There are three parts to the 2.5-hour test: a video-based human relations test; a reading ability test; and a written language ability test.

• Please make sure you elect to have your scores sent to the "Portland Police Bureau Police Officer" through NTN. Passing scores for the NTN test are: 65% on the video portion; 70% on the reading ability; and 70% on the written ability. We will pull scores and applications approximately every 14 days.

If at any time during the process you have concerns or questions, please contact our Personnel Division or the NTN Support Line at 866-563-3882.

Phase 2: Personal History Questionnaire

You will be invited to take the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) online.

Personal History Statement

Only applicants who submit complete personal history statements (via POBITS) will be invited to the background phase.

The personal history statement is very thorough and takes time to complete, so start early!  You will have 14 days to complete this process. Please note, incomplete applications will impede your ability to get to the next step.

Please read the instructions carefully, as it is critical that it is completed correctly and accurately. Omissions or untruthful information can get you disqualified. Remember, we are here to help! Contact us at any time during the process with questions.  

Phase 4: Background Investigation / Physical Ability Test

Background Investigation (Physical Ability Test during this phase)

Portland Police officers are entrusted with the responsibility to keep our city safe and maintaining community trust. We want to ensure every police officer has been through a thorough background investigation. Sometimes this can take weeks or months. We appreciate how difficult this wait can be; please know that we have done extensive work to our process to ensure that it is thorough, but completed in a timely manner.

During the background process, an investigator will take your personal history statement form and contact your current and prior employers, relatives, and personal references. The investigator will check your employment history, credit status, driving record, criminal history, police contacts and other pertinent information necessary to conduct a thorough investigation.

It is important to be completely honest with your background investigator. Police officers are held to a high standard of integrity and must be credible witnesses. Negative spots in your background will not necessarily result in failing your background; however, deliberate misrepresentation, falsifying or omitting information will most likely result in permanent disqualification and you will be ineligible to re-apply.

During this phase you will need to pass the physical ability test (PAT) before the completion of background.

Physical Ability Test (PAT)

We encourage applicants to take the Portland Police Bureau Physical Ability Test (which is free of charge) or an Oregon Physical Ability Test administered by the National Testing Network after taking the entry level test. There is an $85 fee assessed with the National Testing Network’s administration of the OR-PAT. 

During either physical ability test, you will be tested on:

• Physical strength

• Endurance

• Agility and coordination

These tests are pass/fail, and individual times have no impact on your overall score.

Watch this video to learn more about our physical ability test.
Read this brochure to learn more about our physical ability test.

The Portland Police Bureau Physical Ability Test is offered monthly and applicants can retake the test each month if they do not initially pass.

Phase 5: Command Interview

After you pass background, you will be invited for a command interview.  The interviews are comprised of both sworn and civilian panel members.

They will evaluate your ability to meet the following psychological dimensions and training core competencies:

• Social Competence/ Assertiveness & Persuasiveness / Leadership / Teamwork

• Conscientiousness / Dependability

• Decision Making & Judgment / Integrity & Ethics

• Cultural Competencies

If you successfully pass the command interview, you will receive a conditional offer of hire.

To prepare for your interview, visit Skills Needed to be a Police Officer

Phase 6: Psychological Evaluation

After receiving a conditional offer of hire, you will be invited to complete the psychological evaluation, which consists of a formal interview and testing with a psychologist. The psychologist will have reviewed your background investigation along with the California Psychological Inventory and personal history questionnaire that you will have filled out in phase 3 of the process.

Phase 7:  Medical Exam

Your last stage in the hiring process will be a comprehensive physical examination, including a drug screening. For more

information on the medical requirements you can read this document from Oregon’s Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST).