The first step to becoming a Chicago Police Officer is to complete the online application. You must be at least 20 years of age to take the exam.

The online application requires you to create an account with a username and password. Please write your username and password down. That way, you can access your application anytime during the application period. If you are unable to log into your account, you can call (312) 744-4976 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and we can assist you.

The application will ask a few questions to assess whether you meet the requirements to sit for the exam. If any of your answers to those questions indicates that you do not meet those requirements, you will immediately be informed that your application is disqualified.

If, during your attempt to submit your application, you are informed that your application is disqualified and you feel that your application was erroneously disqualified, please call (312) 744-4976 or email police-application@cityofchicago.org as soon as possible. Once the application period closes, we will be unable to correct any errors.

If your application is successfully submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. If you have not received any such correspondence within three (3) days of submitting your application, you should call (312) 744-4976 or email police-application@cityofchicago.org to check on the status your application. Please be sure to check the spam filters on your email account first.

Once the application period has closed, approved qualified applicants will receive an Authorization to Test email directly from Pearson VUE that will include additional instructions on how to register for an exam. Once the exam registration opens selected applicants can register and schedule an examination online via the Pearson VUE website or by calling the Pearson VUE contact center. Pearson VUE will administer the City of Chicago entry level Police Officer Examination in two test delivery options.

Option 1: Take the Police Officer entry-level examination in a computer-based format via the Pearson VUE network of test centers. These centers are located in the Chicagoland area, throughout the United States, and even on military bases abroad.

Option 2: Take the Police Officer entry-level examination in the comfort of your home or office via the Pearson VUE Online Proctored solution – known as OnVUE.

If you receive a passing score on the written exam, you’ll be contacted with instructions on completing the Personal History Questionnnaire (PHQ) and will be given a date to report for pre-employment paperwork processing. During this step, you’ll also be screened for illegal drug use.

You must answer every question on the PHQ honestly and completely. Submit when complete. Expeditious submission is highly recommended to move you through the hiring process. Failure to answer each question honestly and completely may constitute failure to cooperate during the hiring process and will lead to your disqualification from further consideration for the police officer position. You DO NOT have to upload any documents to the PHQ.

To access the PHQ, go to http://operations.chicagopolice.org/hr (use laptop or desktop, do not use your cell phone). Your login is the email address you provided when you created a profile to apply on the City of Chicago CAREERS application system. The initial password is welcome1. You must enter a new password after you access the site. Sign-in is all lower case.

You’ll receive an email with a date to report for your mandatory paperwork processing appointment. Before attending paperwork processing please make sure you have already completed your PHQ. Please ensure you arrive on time to your paperwork processing appointment. If you are not able to attend on the date provided, please Contact Us to request an inviation to the next available paperwork processing date.

During step 3, you’ll also be screened for illegal drug use. Any applicant testing postive for illegal drug use will be disqualified from further processing. Please visit the FAQ page for more information regarding the drug screen, including rules related to cannabis and cannabis-containing products.

During this step of the process, you’ll be evaluated against the Illinois POWER Test standards. It is important to note that the Pre-POWER Test is not pass/fail. You will NOT be disqualified from the hiring process for not meeting the POWER standards during this step. The Pre-POWER Test is intended to determine your current physical fitness level and help you to prepare for the Final POWER Test (step 6 of the hiring process), which you will be required to pass. The POWER Test is based on standards established by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) and is comprised of the following components:

This is a measure of the flexibility of the lower back and upper leg area. It is an important area for performing police tasks involving range of motion and is important in minimizing lower back problems. The test involves stretching out to touch the toes beyond the extended arms from the sitting position. The score is in the inches reached on a yard stick with 15″ being at the toes.

This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the abdominal muscles. It is an important area for performing police tasks that may involve the use of force and is an important area for maintaining good posture and minimizing lower back problems.

This is a maximum weight pushed from the bench press position and measures the amount of force the upper body can generate.

This is a timed run to measure the heart and vascular systems’ capability to transport oxygen. It is an important area for performing police tasks involving stamina and endurance and to minimize the risk of cardiovascular problems. The score is in minutes and seconds.

Please refer to the updated POWER Test Chart on the ILETSB website for the current POWER Test standards.

During this step of the process, you’ll meet with an investigator who will review and discuss your background. Please note that this interview may be conducted virtually.

Honesty and credibility are vital characteristics for police officer to possess in order to ensure the integrity of police operations and investigations and to protect the public and maintain its trust in the police. Honest and complete answers to background questions asked of applicants during the application process, as well as full cooperation with the application process, are thus extremely important to the maintenance of the Chicago Police Department’s force and the integrity of its hiring process. Applicants may therefore be given a polygraph examination. The polygraph examination is used as a tool to elicit information and verify responses elicited during the application process and to verify information collected during the pre-employment investigation. The results of the polygraph examination will be used as part of the hiring process in determining an applicant’s suitability for the position of Police Officer. Admissions made during a polygraph examination, or an indication of deception, along with other factors, may be used as a basis for disqualification.

During this step of the process, you’ll be evaluated against the Illinois POWER Test standards. The Final POWER test is a pass/fail test. The POWER Test is based on standards established by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) and is comprised of the following components:

This is a measure of the flexibility of the lower back and upper leg area. It is an important area for performing police tasks involving range of motion and is important in minimizing lower back problems. The test involves stretching out to touch the toes beyond the extended arms from the sitting position. The score is in the inches reached on a yard stick with 15″ being at the toes.

This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the abdominal muscles. It is an important area for performing police tasks that may involve the use of force and is an important area for maintaining good posture and minimizing lower back problems.

This is a maximum weight pushed from the bench press position and measures the amount of force the upper body can generate.

This is a timed run to measure the heart and vascular systems’ capability to transport oxygen. It is an important area for performing police tasks involving stamina and endurance and to minimize the risk of cardiovascular problems. The score is in minutes and seconds.

Please refer to the updated POWER Test Chart on the ILETSB website for the current POWER Test standards.