The California Highway Patrol (CHP) hires officers as cadets. You apply, pass a physical test and a written exam, clear a background investigation and medical and psychological evaluations, then wait for an invitation to the CHP Academy. CHP says the process takes about 6 to 9 months from application to Academy appointment.
Everything below comes from CHP's own recruitment pages at chp.ca.gov and chpmadeformore.com, linked as we go. Where CHP doesn't say something, we say so.
The CHP hiring process at a glance
| Step | What happens | What CHP says about timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application | Create a user profile and choose a Division to apply through. | Testing schedules are posted by Division |
| 2. Physical Abilities Test (PAT) | Sit-ups, push-ups, a 1.5-mile run and a 300-metre run, each against a time limit. | Pass every part to go on to the written exam |
| 3. Written exam (PELLET-B) | Writing, reading and reasoning. | 30 calendar days before you can take it again |
| 4. Background investigation | Documents, references, neighbours and history checks. | 3 to 5 months once assigned an investigator |
| 5. Medical evaluation | Vision, colour vision, drug test and back x-rays. | Not published |
| 6. Psychological evaluation | A written part and an interview with a psychologist. | Not published |
| 7. Academy invitation | You join a list waiting for an invitation. | Whole process about 6 to 9 months |
| 8. CHP Academy | 26-week live-in training in West Sacramento. | 26 weeks |
What are the requirements to become a CHP officer?
CHP's officer careers page lists four minimum qualifications for a Cadet:
- Education: a high school diploma or GED.
- Work authorisation: you must be authorised to work in the US under federal law at the time of appointment. You can still be getting that authorisation when you apply, but you must show proof before you're accepted into the Academy.
- Age: 20 to 35. CHP ties the upper limit to the final filing date of the exam cycle you apply to.
- Criminal history: no felony convictions.
CHP also prohibits uniformed employees and cadets from showing body art, tattoos or brands that can't be covered, and from having dental ornamentation.
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What is the CHP application process?
You create a user profile on CHP's recruitment site, choose a Division to apply through and are scheduled for testing. CHP publishes cadet testing schedules by Division. From there, the order is fixed: PAT, written exam, background, then medical and psychological evaluations.
CHP Divisions run an Applicant Preparation Program, and CHP recommends it for both the PAT and the written exam. You can also contact a CHP recruiter through chpmadeformore.com.
What is on the CHP Physical Abilities Test?
The PAT has four events. CHP lists these minimum standards on its PAT page:
| Event | Standard |
|---|---|
| Sit-ups | 25 in 1 minute |
| Push-ups | 19 in 1 minute |
| 1.5-mile run | 15 minutes |
| 300-metre run | 70 seconds |
You must meet every standard. Failing any part disqualifies you and ends the process for that exam cycle; you can reapply in the next cycle.
What is on the CHP written exam?
The CHP written exam is the PELLET-B, provided by California's Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). CHP says it has three parts, writing ability, reading ability and reasoning ability, and that it is an English and grammar test, not a test of law enforcement terms.
Rules from CHP's written exam page:
- Take it with CHP. Passing scores from other agencies aren't accepted.
- Wait 30 calendar days before taking it again, whether you passed or failed.
- Pass, then background. Passing moves you on to the background investigation.
CHP doesn't publish the number of questions, the time limit or the passing score on these pages. It links a POST study guide and preparation resources from its written exam page. We don't have a guide to the PELLET-B on our site yet.
What happens in the CHP background investigation?
A background investigator checks your history thoroughly. CHP says it can take 3 to 5 months once you're assigned to an investigator, and that violations are considered by their severity, recency and frequency.
CHP's list of required documents shows how much you'll need to gather:
- official sealed transcripts from every high school and college you attended, plus diplomas;
- proof you can work in the US;
- contact details for relatives and five personal references;
- every address for the last 10 years, or since age 15, with landlord details;
- every job and volunteer role since age 15;
- every application you've made to any law enforcement or public safety agency, including CHP;
- court documents and police reports you're named in;
- driving, vehicle and insurance documents;
- details for at least four of your closest neighbours, who will usually be contacted.
CHP warns that missing or false information may get you disqualified. Start collecting these documents as soon as you apply.
What are the CHP medical and psychological evaluations?
Once you clear the background investigation, you move on to medical and psychological evaluations.
- Medical: CHP says it includes a visual acuity test, a colour vision test, a drug test and a full set of back x-rays.
- Psychological: a written part and an interview with a psychologist contracted by the state.
If you fail any step, CHP says you can't continue in that exam cycle and must reapply.
How long does the CHP hiring process take?
CHP's FAQ says to expect about 6 to 9 months from your first application to Academy appointment, though individual cases vary. The background investigation is the longest single step at 3 to 5 months. CHP puts the length down to state law and requirements set by California POST.
What is the CHP Academy like?
The CHP Academy is 26 weeks of live-in training at West Sacramento. CHP says training covers academics, exercise, high-speed driving and self-discipline, including emergency vehicle operations and weapons handling. Cadets can't miss the mandatory Academy training.
Between weeks 19 and 21, cadets get a "Dream Sheet" of CHP Area offices with openings and rank where they'd like to go. CHP assigns locations by the needs of the department first, then hardship that arose after your Academy appointment, residency (within 70 miles of the chosen command) and Academy scores. It says there's no guarantee you'll be posted near home. At graduation you become a CHP officer and report to your assigned Area office.
Questions to prepare for in the CHP hiring process
CHP doesn't publish interview questions. CHP documents one interview: the psychological evaluation, with a psychologist contracted by the state. Your background investigator will also contact your references and neighbours, so your answers need to match your forms. CHP's own line is "Safety, service and security". These are questions to prepare for, with how to approach them.
1. Why do you want to join the California Highway Patrol?
Be specific to CHP: highway safety, serving the public across California and the training at the Academy. Avoid general answers that would fit any police force.
2. Are you prepared to be posted anywhere in California?
CHP says assignments follow the department's needs first and there's no guarantee of a post near home. Answer honestly and show you've thought about it.
3. Is everything in your application complete and accurate?
The background investigation checks every address, job, reference and court record. If you remember something you left out, say so. CHP warns that false information may disqualify you.
4. Tell me about a mistake you made and what you did about it.
Investigators judge past problems by severity, recency and frequency. Own the mistake, explain what you changed and give evidence that it hasn't happened again.
5. Have you applied to other law enforcement agencies, and what happened?
CHP requires you to list every prior public safety application. Give the facts, including any that didn't go your way.
6. Tell me about a time you stayed calm under pressure.
Use a real example and the STAR method: the situation, what you had to do, what you did and the result.
7. Describe a time you had to follow a rule you disagreed with.
Show that you followed it, raised your concern through the right channel and understood why the rule existed.
8. Tell me about a time you helped someone in difficulty.
Service is part of CHP's mission. A clear example of helping a stranger, customer or colleague works well.
9. How do you handle criticism or correction?
The Academy is demanding. Give an example of feedback you took on board and how you improved.
10. How have you prepared for the physical and written tests?
Describe your training plan and any Applicant Preparation Program sessions you attended. It shows commitment.
11. How would people who know you describe you?
Your references, relatives and neighbours may be contacted. Your answer should match what they're likely to say.
For more practice, our bank of behavioural interview questions covers many of the same themes.
How to prepare for the CHP hiring process
- Check the minimum requirements, especially the age range and the final filing date for your exam cycle.
- Join your Division's Applicant Preparation Program for help with the PAT and the written exam.
- Train for the PAT standards until you beat each one with room to spare.
- Practise grammar, reading and writing with the POST study guide linked from CHP's written exam page.
- Start gathering background documents early: sealed transcripts, addresses, jobs, references and neighbours' details.
- Be completely honest in every form and conversation.
- Practise talking about yourself in a mock interview so you're comfortable explaining your history.
Practising realistic work tasks
Tests and interviews reward preparation. Judgement improves with practice on realistic tasks. Cohesyve, which publishes this guide, runs practice job simulations with a scored report on where you lost marks. It isn't affiliated with the California Highway Patrol and doesn't use CHP's tests or questions.
FAQs
How old do you have to be to join CHP?
CHP's age range for Cadets is 20 to 35, with the upper limit tied to the final filing date of the exam cycle you apply to.
Can I use my PELLET-B score from another agency?
No. CHP says passing scores from other agencies aren't accepted, so you take the PELLET-B with CHP.
What happens if I fail the CHP PAT?
You're disqualified for that exam cycle. CHP says you can reapply in the next cycle.
Is the CHP Academy live-in?
Yes. CHP describes it as a 26-week live-in training facility at West Sacramento.
Can I choose where I'm stationed after the CHP Academy?
You rank your choices on a "Dream Sheet", but CHP assigns locations by department needs first, then hardship that arose after your Academy appointment, residency and Academy scores. There's no guarantee of a post near home.
Does CHP allow tattoos?
CHP prohibits uniformed employees and cadets from displaying body art, tattoos or brands that can't be covered or concealed.
Sources
California Highway Patrol pages, checked 27 October 2026:
- chp.ca.gov: Officer careers
- chp.ca.gov: Written exam
- chp.ca.gov: Physical Abilities Test
- chpmadeformore.com: FAQ
- chpmadeformore.com: Written exam
- chpmadeformore.com: Physical Abilities Test
- chpmadeformore.com: Life at the Academy
- chpmadeformore.com: Information/Documents Required for Cadet Applicants (rev. 23 May 2026)