APPLICANT
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are you a legitimate business?
2. Do I take the test online?
3. May I test for agencies from different states?
4. What dates do you currently have scheduled for testing?
5. May I test for law enforcement and corrections officer at the same time?
6. Will I take my written and physical ability on test the same day?
7. How long will it take to test?
8. What is done with my test scores?
9. Do you tell us where we rank?
10. After the agencies receive my scores, what will they do?
11. How long are my scores good for?
12. Does it cost to use your service?
13. I am not able to download the liability waiver form. How can I receive one?
14. I have selected an agency to apply to, however the website responds with "Sorry, please select at least one agency before choosing your testing time" and won't let me proceed in the application process. What is wrong?
15. I am not yet comfortable providing my credit card number online. Is there a way to pay by check?
16. I was recently invited to an oral board interview. Do you offer any help in preparing for them?
17. I am eligible for veteran's preference points. When will those be considered?
18. Can I change my testing date, time and/or location?
19. Can I cancel my test once it is scheduled?
20. What about refunds?
21. Can I keep testing to increase my score?
22. If I'm interested in applying to agencies that subscribe to your service after I have tested, do I need to re-apply and test again?
23. How do I learn about new subscribing agencies?
24. What are your policies regarding Adding Agencies, Refunds, Changes, Bad Checks, etc?

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Are you a legitimate business?

The agencies that we are providing testing services for have contracted with PublicSafetyTesting.com to conduct their written and physical agility testing. We serve as an independent testing service for those agencies. Please feel free to call any subscribing agency's Civil Service Examiner or Human Resources personnel to check on the veracity of our services. In addition, you'll see a link to our website on most of our subscribing agency's websites.

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Do I take the test online?

No. We have testing sites at various locations around the region and they will be offered on a regular basis and typically on a Saturday, or Sunday. Weekday testing may occur occasionally as well. The information on where and when is on our website - or see below.

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May I test for agencies from different states?

Yes, you may take one law enforcement written exam and one physical abilities test and have your test scores sent to agencies from Washington, Idaho, Alaska and/or California . While the law enforcement physical ability standards are a bit different, the events are basically the same. Be sure to look carefully at the physical ability standards described on our website as you navigate through the application process. You may apply to agencies from multiple states during your online application process. You may test for any agency that we are testing for at any test site.

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What dates do you currently have scheduled for testing?

Please see our Testing Schedule.

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May I test for law enforcement and corrections officer at the same time?

Yes. It is the same written exam but once again the minimum physical ability standards are different, the events are similar - however you'll still only have to take one written and one physical ability test. If you wish to apply for law enforcement and corrections agencies at the same time, you won't be able to do so online because they are different job categories, however once you complete the application process for one category, please call our office and we'll add the other agency or agencies for you.

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Will I take my written and physical ability on test the same day?

Yes and No. If you are a law enforcement or corrections applicant, you will. If you are a firefighter applicant, you will take your written exam and your physical ability exam on two different days. While written testing will be offered on multiple days and at various locations, the firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) will be offered in June and December. An optional CPAT Orientation will also be offered approximately 8-10 weeks prior to the CPAT. See our current test schedule for dates/locations.

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How long will it take to test?

For law enforcement and corrections applicants, plan on at least approximately 5 - 6 hours for both the written and physical ability exams. For dispatcher applicants, plan on at least approximately 2.5 - 3 hours for the written exam. For firefighter applicants, plan on approximately 3.5 - 4 hours for the written exam and then scheduling a time for the CPAT physical ability test and CPAT Orientation (if interested) on the dates noted in the previous question. All applicants should plan and dress accordingly - wear the appropriate clothing and shoes and allocate more than enough time to complete the testing process.

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What is done with my test scores?

Scores will be sent to all of the agencies that you applied to only if you pass both the written and the physical ability test (Boise Fire Department, DuPont Fire Department, Mount Vernon Fire Department - Paramedic, Moses Lake Fire Department, Vancouver Fire Department, and Cle Elum/Roslyn Police Department - Lateral, East Wenatchee Police Department - Lateral, King County Sheriff's Office - COURT DEPUTY, Orting Police Department - Lateral, Port of Seattle Police Department - Lateral, Prosser Police Department - Lateral, and Valdez Police Department only require the written examination administered by PST). These scores will be sent to each agency after PublicSafetyTesting.com certifies them, usually within 10 days of the test date. For firefighter applicants that require the PST CPAT, scores will be sent to the agencies to which you applied in late-June and late-December. We have implemented a six-month testing cycle for our fire agencies (January-June & July-December).

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Do you tell us where we rank?

No. We do not maintain eligibility lists or any form of "ranking" of candidates. Our contract with subscribing agencies is to provide them with your test scores and the information that you supply during the on-line application process. Each agency, through their established process (often additional testing), establishes an eligibility list and a "ranking" of candidates.

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After the agencies receive my scores, what will they do?

That is up to each agency, however most, if not all, will invite applicants to an oral board interview depending, of course, on the ranking of your score in comparison to other applicants interested in that agency and the needs of the agency at that time. They will have you fill out the necessary paperwork for their agency as well. Agencies may require other testing and an extensive background check. It is a very thorough and lengthy process that does not occur quickly - be patient!

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How long are my scores good for?

Your scores are good for one year on the agency's eligibility list.

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Does it cost to use your service?

Yes. When you consider the costs of taking time off of work, traveling many miles, hotel costs and other costs associated with testing for jobs and having those costs each time you want to test with every agency that you are interested in working, the testing fees associated with using our service are an investment in your time - and career. With our service, you only have to apply once, take one written exam and one physical ability test. Testing fees are based on the number of agencies to which you apply. Please see our fee schedules for Fire, Police, Corrections and Dispatcher. Be sure to check with your accountant, but our testing fees may even be tax-deductible.

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I am not able to download the liability waiver form. How can I receive one?

A copy of the liability waiver form is included in the study guide packet that will be mailed to you. You may also download the liability waiver form by clicking here.
Please remember that you must bring your notarized liability waiver form to your scheduled test date. If you do not have your waiver notarized we will have a Notary Public available at the test site for a fee of $5. The notary will only be available until 20 minutes prior to the test beginning. If your waiver is not notarized, you will NOT be allowed to test.

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I have selected an agency to apply to, however the website responds with "Sorry, please select at least one agency before choosing your testing time" and won't let me proceed in the application process. What is wrong?

It most likely has to do with the cookie's setting in your browser. Our current technology platform requires that your browser be set to accept cookies to access certain features of our website - such as which agencies you have applied to. The use of cookies is a standard Internet practice and most major websites use them. If you are using Internet Explorer 6.0 and are having difficulty proceeding through the website, please check your privacy settings in your browser and set them to "Medium". If you do not wish to change your privacy settings to "Medium" and you are currently using the "Medium High" or "High" settings, you may choose to override your current cookie handling practices for individual websites that you specify.

To override your current cookie handling practices for individual websites: Select "Internet Options" from the "Tools" menu. Click the "Privacy" tab at the top. Click the "Edit" button in the "Override cookie handling for individual websites" section. This will open the "Per Site Privacy Actions" dialogue box. Type www.publicsafetytesting.com in the "Address of Website" box and click the "Allow" button. Click the "OK" button, then close the "Per Site Privacy Actions" dialogue box. Click the "OK" button to close the "Internet Options" dialogue box and apply your changes.

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I am not yet comfortable providing my credit card number online. Is there a way to pay by check?

Yes. You will have the option during the online application process to pay by check. All you will do is print out your online application and mail it to us with your check or money order. However, one advantage of paying online with your credit card is that you are confirmed for the time, date, and location you have chosen for your written exam testing time. If you choose to pay by check and the testing facility is filled to capacity by the time your application is processed by our office, you will possibly be asked to move your testing time. We use VeriSign, a proven, secure and reputable online service for credit card transactions.

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I was recently invited to an oral board interview. Do you offer any help in preparing for them?

Yes. A few times per year we offer a workshops on preparing for the hiring process with emphasis on the oral board interviews - a critical stage in the hiring process and a step that few adequately prepare for. Instructors are experienced law enforcement and fire service professionals that have conducted hundreds of interviews, background investigations and have hired many public safety employees. When scheduled, workshop information will be provided on our homepage.

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I am eligible for veteran's preference points. When will those be considered?

Veteran's preference (or any other preference) points will be factored in by each agency that you have applied to. They will collect your Form DD-214 and any other needed documentation.

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Can I change my testing date, time and/or location?

While we discourage changes, we certainly understand that it is sometimes required. Please email info@publicsafetytesting.com your request or call 1.866.HIRE-911 and we will accommodate your request if possible. There is a non-refundable $20 processing fee for this type of request and it is subject to the availability of seating at your requested time/date/location.

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Can I cancel my test once it is scheduled?

Cancellations made PRIOR TO your scheduled test date/time will incur a $25 processing fee. Corrections and Dispatchers will incur a $15 processing fee. There are no refunds for a missed test date.

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What about refunds?

ð There are no refunds on or after your scheduled written and/or physical ability exam date.

ð There are no refunds once you have started any examination.

ð There are no refunds for missed test dates.

ð There are no refunds of the CPAT fee once firefighter applicants have paid for and scheduled a CPAT physical ability exam.

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Can I keep testing to increase my score?

No. Law enforcement, corrections, or dispatcher applicants must wait at least six (6) months since the last time they tested (passed both the written & physical ability) for a specific agency or agencies. If you fail the written or physical ability exam, you must wait at least three (3) months, as well, before you can test again for any agency (6 month rule does not apply if you fail). However, as an example, you can test at one time for an agency or agencies, and, assuming you passed both the written and physical ability tests, then later apply/test for a different agency or agencies, however you must take both the written and the physical agility exam each time.
FIREFIGHTER APPLICANTS MAY ONLY TAKE ONE WRITTEN TEST DURING A SIX-MONTH TESTING CYCLE (January-June, July-December). Firefighter applicants, however, that have successfully completed the CPAT (administered by Bates Technical College) for any agency during the current or previous testing cycle, may not be required to take the CPAT again during that testing cycle.

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If I'm interested in applying to agencies that subscribe to your service after I have tested, do I need to re-apply and test again?

Not necessarily. If you indicate during the application process that you want to be notified of any new subscribing agencies, our computers will automatically notify you as soon as they become available. If you have completed testing within the previous five (5) months and you want your scores sent to an agency or agencies that were not available at the time you had originally tested, you will have the option to send your scores to that agency for an additional fee. Agencies will determine if they desire scores from previously-tested applicants.

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How do I learn about new subscribing agencies?

We can automatically notify you via email you if you sign up for such service. Please click here: Notify me of new agencies

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What are your policies regarding Adding Agencies, Refunds, Changes, Bad Checks, etc?

As you can imagine, much of our system is automated. In order to keep our costs down and therefore keeping the fees that we charge down, it is necessary to charge processing fees for services not handled on our website.

ADDING AGENCIES

You may add an agency or agencies to your application after you have applied and prior to your written testing. The fee for this is the difference between what you have already paid and what the fee would have been had you applied to that agency or agencies at the time of your application. The same policy applies to new agencies that become available after your application and prior to your testing. Please see our fee schedules for Fire, Police, Corrections and Dispatcher. Please call our office to add agencies at 1-866-447-3911.

You may not add agencies to your application AFTER you have taken the written exam unless they are agencies that were not available to you at the time of your application (e.g., "new" agencies). New agencies can be added as described below.

If you have completed testing (written & physical ability tests) in the previous five (5) months** and you want your scores sent to an agency or agencies that were not available at the time you had originally tested (e.g., new agencies), you may choose to send your scores to that agency or agencies for an additional fee.

TESTING/RE-TESTING

LAW ENFORCEMENT/CORRECTIONS APPLICANTS

Law enforcement/Corrections applicants cannot apply/test for the same agency or agencies more than once within a 6-month period; however you may apply/test for a different agency or agencies at any time. If you fail the written and/or physical agility test, you must wait three (3) months to test again for any agency.

FIREFIGHTER APPLICANTS

Firefighter applicants may take only one written exam and one physical ability test during a six-month testing cycle (January-June or July-December).

CANCELLATIONS/CHANGE/HOLD POLICY

Cancellations made PRIOR TO your scheduled test date will incur a $25 processing fee. Corrections and Dispatchers will incur a $15 processing fee. There are no refunds of missed test dates.

Requests to change your testing date and/or location will incur a non-refundable $20 processing fee subject to availability of seating at your requested time/date/location.

Orders on hold are subject to a non-refundable $20 rescheduling fee or a cancellation fee of $25 ($15 for Corrections or Dispatcher) if the order was placed on hold before the scheduled test date.

REFUNDS

· There are no refunds on or after your scheduled written and/or physical ability exam date.

· There are no refunds once you have started any examination.

· There are no refunds for missed test dates.

· There are no refunds once firefighter applicants have paid for and scheduled a CPAT physical ability exam.

BAD CHECKS

Checks that are returned NSF (Non-Sufficient Funds) will be charged a $30 processing fee.