Police Fitness Test
Medical Exemptions
Asthma, injuries, BMI, medication, deferrals, Occupational Health, reasonable adjustments and alternative tests, based on College of Policing and force guidance.
No national exemption found
Force decides
Assessed individually
Evidence may be needed
Set by force; can matter
Force OH runs the medical
Quick Medical Q&As
Can I get a medical exemption from the police fitness test?
We found no national exemption route. College of Policing guidance says completing the fitness test is a requirement for recruitment and that forces must deliver it to the 5:4 standard. However, the Equality Act 2010 applies to police forces, adjustments may be made where reasonable, and some forces offer an alternative treadmill test where a disability or medical condition makes the shuttle run difficult (see the Chester treadmill test). Ask your force what it can offer.
Can I join the police with asthma?
Possibly. joiningthepolice.co.uk says an existing condition such as asthma does not mean you cannot become a police officer, and every candidate gets an individual assessment. Declare it on your health questionnaire and ask your force how inhalers are handled on test day.
What if I am injured on test day?
Do not run. Tell the recruitment team as early as possible and ask whether the test can be rebooked and whether an attempt would count against you. That is a force rule. Evidence from your GP or physiotherapist may help. Coming back after an injury? See returning to the bleep test after injury.
Does BMI stop you joining the police?
It can. Height, weight and BMI are part of the medical. Police Now guidance says a BMI below 18 or above 30 (32 for the Met) will likely mean you are not accepted, although body fat can also be measured. Limits vary by force, so check yours early.
Can medication affect the fitness test?
Possibly. Police Now guidance says you may still be accepted if you need regular medication and can show you manage it, and every candidate gets an individual assessment. Declare all medication. The College of Policing notes that beta blockers depress heart rate.
Who decides if I am fit to test?
The medical is carried out by the force occupational health nurse or doctor. College of Policing guidance says forces must run a structured occupational health referral where someone cannot pass the medical screening. The exact process is set by each force.
Exemption, Adjustment and Deferral
| Feature | Exemption / Adjustment | Temporary Deferral |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | We found no national exemption route. | Some forces may rebook a test; ask yours. |
| Applicable Scenarios | Not applicable: standard is not waived, but adjustments or alternative tests may exist. | Illness, injury or recovery; pregnancy (serving officers: see Police Federation). |
| Evidence Required | Not applicable. | Whatever your force asks for, for example a GP or specialist letter. |
| Outcome | Standard not waived; reasonable adjustments or an alternative treadmill test may be offered in some forces. | Test rebooked; timescale and effect on attempts set by the force. |
The Medical Assessment Pathway
A general outline of how forces handle health conditions before the fitness test. Details vary by force.
Declare Condition
List all health concerns, medications and history on your recruitment medical questionnaire, and bring records or a doctor's note if you have a health problem or have had a lot of time off (Police Now guidance).
OH Review
The force occupational health nurse or doctor reviews your questionnaire and carries out the medical assessment.
Evidence Request
You may be asked for further information from your GP or a specialist.
Triage Decision
The clinician clears you, asks for more information, or decides what happens next. The process is set by each force.
Book Test
Once cleared, you are given a test date. Police Now guidance says that if you have stage 1 or higher high blood pressure you cannot take the fitness test until your GP reports it is under control.
Incident Protocol
If you feel unwell during the run, stop and tell the administrator. Do not run through chest pain, dizziness or breathing difficulty.
Health Conditions Guide
General notes on common conditions. These are not official criteria: forces and clinicians make individual decisions.
Likely Issue: Hard exercise can trigger symptoms in some people with asthma.
What OH Looks For: Whether your asthma is well controlled. Spirometry (a lung capacity test) is part of the medical, according to joiningthepolice.co.uk.
Evidence: Your GP or asthma nurse can tell you what records are useful. Your force will say what it needs.
Next Step: Declare your asthma and ask your force about inhaler use on the day.
Likely Issue: Repeated turning loads the ankles, knees and hips.
What OH Looks For: The medical includes a musculoskeletal assessment, according to joiningthepolice.co.uk.
Evidence: A physiotherapist or GP letter may help if you have an ongoing injury.
Next Step: Ask whether your test can be rebooked, and see our guide to returning to the bleep test after injury. The Chester treadmill test is the College of Policing alternative for lower-limb injuries, at your force's discretion.
Likely Issue: BMI is checked as part of the medical. Police Now guidance says a BMI below 18 or above 30 (32 for the Met) will likely mean you are not accepted, though body fat can also be measured.
What OH Looks For: Police Now guidance says that if it is likely you will need many months to lose the weight or fat required, the application can be rejected on medical grounds.
Evidence: Some people with high muscle mass have a high BMI; ask your force how it handles this.
Next Step: Check your force's limits early, and take medical advice before starting a weight-loss or fitness programme.
Likely Issue: Exercise can affect blood sugar levels.
What OH Looks For: joiningthepolice.co.uk says an existing condition such as diabetes does not mean you cannot become a police officer. Each case is assessed individually.
Evidence: Your diabetes team can advise on what records to provide.
Next Step: Speak to your diabetes team about managing your levels around the test, and tell your force.
Likely Issue: Intense exercise raises your heart rate and blood pressure.
What OH Looks For: Whether it is safe for you to take the test. The force decides what it needs.
Evidence: Any cardiology reports your doctor holds.
Next Step: Speak to your GP or specialist before training, and tell your force.
Likely Issue: Some medications can affect heart rate or blood pressure; the College of Policing notes beta blockers depress heart rate.
What OH Looks For: Police Now guidance says you may still be accepted if you need regular medication and can show you manage it yourself.
Evidence: A list of your current medication.
Next Step: Declare all medication on your health questionnaire.
Likely Issue: Nerves can make breathing fast and shallow during the test.
What OH Looks For: The medical concerns your ability to do the role safely. If anxiety affects you more generally, you can ask about reasonable adjustments; the Equality Act 2010 covers police forces.
Evidence: Only what you choose to share and your force asks for.
Next Step: Practise with a 15m bleep recording so the test feels familiar.
Likely Issue: Pregnancy and recovery after birth can affect fitness for running.
What OH Looks For: For applicants this is a force matter. The Police Federation says serving officers who are pregnant or recently returned after having a baby need not take the JRFT.
Evidence: A letter from your midwife or GP may help.
Next Step: Ask your force how it handles pregnancy and postpartum applicants.
Likely Issue: Hard exercise raises blood pressure.
What OH Looks For: Police Now guidance says stage 1 or higher hypertension (a daily average of 135/85 mmHg or higher, or a clinic reading of 140/90 mmHg) means you cannot take the fitness test until your GP reports it is under control.
Evidence: A report from your GP on sustained, acceptable control.
Next Step: Speak to your GP. Do not take the test if your blood pressure is uncontrolled.
When You Should Not Attempt the Test
Common-sense warning signs that suggest you should not run. This is general safety guidance, not medical advice; if in doubt, ask a doctor and tell your recruitment team.
Chest Pain
Sudden chest tightness or pain, especially if it spreads to the jaw or arm. Seek medical advice.
Uncontrolled Asthma
Ongoing wheezing or needing your reliever more than usual in the run-up to the test. Speak to your GP or asthma nurse.
Fever or Flu
Exercising while you have a fever or flu-like illness is generally not advised. Wait until you have recovered.
Recent Surgery
Get clearance from your surgeon or GP before returning to hard exercise.
Severe Dizziness
Feeling lightheaded or losing balance. Do not run; seek medical advice.
Acute Injury
Joint swelling or sharp pain in your knees or ankles. Rest and get it checked before you return (returning after injury).
Palpitations
Skipped or racing heartbeats without exertion. Seek medical advice.
What Evidence Might Help
Having relevant evidence ready may help avoid delays. Ask your force what it needs.
- ✓ GP letter confirming condition stability
- ✓ Consultant report outlining cardiac or physical diagnostics
- ✓ Physiotherapist discharge note verifying full range of movement
- ✓ Current medication list detailing dose levels
- ✓ Asthma plan or review from your GP or asthma nurse, if you have one
- ✓ Any recent peak flow or lung function results you already have
- ✓ Return-to-running clearance from a therapist
- ✓ Postpartum clearance from a midwife or GP
- ✓ Copy of previous Occupational Health correspondence
Unprepared for the 15m Bleep Test?
Three tools built from your own answers for the police 15m bleep test (Level 5.4): a 6-week plan, a pass predictor and a weakness analysis. Practice aids, not a guarantee of a pass.
General training information, not medical advice. Stop if you feel pain, dizziness or chest discomfort, and see a GP before you start if you have a health condition, an injury or are pregnant. No tool can guarantee a pass.
Supporting Fitness Resources
Medical & Fitness FAQ
Answers to common questions about medical clearance and test day safety, based on published guidance.
Can I get exempt from the police fitness test?
We found no national exemption route. College of Policing guidance says completing the JRFT is a requirement for recruitment. Adjustments may be made where reasonable, and some forces offer an alternative treadmill test (see the Chester treadmill test). Ask your force.
Can I join the police with asthma?
Possibly. joiningthepolice.co.uk says having asthma does not mean you cannot become a police officer. Declare it and ask your force about inhalers on the day.
What if I am injured on test day?
If you are injured, do not run. Tell recruitment as early as possible and ask whether the test can be rebooked and whether an attempt would count. That is a force rule. College of Policing guidance describes the Chester treadmill test as an alternative for lower-limb injuries, which forces decide whether to offer; for coming back safely, see our guide to returning to the bleep test after injury.
What if I am pregnant?
For applicants this is a force matter, so ask your recruitment team. The Police Federation says serving officers who are pregnant or recently returned to work after having a baby need not take the JRFT.
Does BMI matter?
Yes, it can matter. BMI is checked in the medical. Police Now guidance says a BMI below 18 or above 30 (32 for the Met) will likely mean you are not accepted, although body fat can also be measured. Limits vary by force.
Can I defer?
It depends on the force. Ask whether your test can be rebooked if you are unwell or injured. We could not find a national deferral policy.
Can I appeal OH?
Review and appeal routes are set by each force, so ask your recruitment team what applies. The Equality Act 2010 covers police forces.
What if I collapse?
The test should be stopped if you are unwell. College of Policing guidance says people who cannot pass medical screening, or fail through ill health, must be referred through occupational health with an action plan. What follows is up to the force.
Can medication stop me?
Not necessarily. Police Now guidance says you may still be accepted if you need regular medication and can show you manage it. Declare all medication.
Can I use inhaler?
We could not find a national rule, so ask your force before the day. Bring any prescribed inhaler and tell the test administrator about your asthma.
Who decides?
The force occupational health nurse or doctor carries out the medical, and forces must run a structured occupational health referral where someone cannot pass screening. The exact process is set by each force.
What if I fail because of illness?
Whether an attempt you start and fail counts against you is a force rule, so ask. If you feel unwell, tell the recruitment team before the test starts rather than running.
Continue Your Fitness Preparation
Fitness Calculator →
Difficulty GuideIs 5.4 Hard? →
Test Day GuideTest Day Guide →
Pacing ChartLevels Explained →
6-Week PlanTraining Plan →
Interactive ToolBleep Simulator →
Tactical StandardsSpecialist Standards →
Retake RulesFailure Recovery →
Serving OfficersAnnual Officer Testing →
Medical Disclaimer
This guide is independent guidance based on College of Policing guidance and force recruitment pages, not medical advice. Implementation varies by force. Always consult your recruitment medical team before making decisions based on your health. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. Sources: College of Policing implementation guidance for fitness testing (2021), joiningthepolice.co.uk medical assessment, Police Now medical and fitness guide, Police Federation.