Correctional Officers (COs) must be able to respond to a variety of physical demanding activities to maintain the safety and security within a detention environment. This exam encompasses a candidate’s strength, endurance and agility required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and functions expected of a CO. This Physical Agility Exam (PAE) is modeled after the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Department entry Physical Fitness Test.
Each candidate will be required to successfully complete an agility course with job-task simulations of physical trials presented throughout a 500 yards (1,500 feet) course laid out on a variety of different surfaces. Points will be awarded to applicants based on the overall amount of time taken to complete the course. Applicants will have up to 5 minutes and 5 seconds to complete the course. A brief description of the agility course is below. Candidates should be prepared for this agility examination. On the day of the examination, candidates should be in good physical condition, wear athletic clothing and footwear, and bring plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Click here for a link to a video of the correctional officer physical agility testing.
Obstacle Course
This test simulates a correctional officer’s capacity to jump over obstacles, balance yourself on uneven or narrow surfaces, complete a series of box steps simulating ability to run up and down stairs, and pursue inmates on foot while maneuvering through small corridors and turns while running. The agility course consists of obstacles that will require you to make frequent changes in direction, balance on uneven or narrow surfaces, and step over obstacles, and clear hurdles while running as fast as possible.

Weight Carry & Drag
These job-task simulations reflect a candidate’s capacity to carry heavy objects, lift and drag heavy objects, push hard-to-move objects, physically subdue or restrain a violent inmate, and physically separate two fighting inmates, among other duties.
