Police Qualifications
You Actually Need
What the regulations and the Home Office list actually require for each police constable entry route, what counts as level 3, how experience and overseas qualifications can count instead, where GCSE English and maths come in, and which routes need a degree. Read from the primary sources, with the gaps marked.
Independent information, not advice · Sources checked 1 October 2026 · England and Wales unless stated
You do not need a degree to apply to be a police constable in England and Wales. The PCDA and PCEP routes ask for a level 3 qualification, such as two A levels, or experience your force accepts instead; the DHEP needs a degree in any subject. Each force chooses what it accepts from a Home Office list and may add requirements, such as GCSE English.
This page covers police constables in England and Wales, with notes on special constables and PCSOs. Police Scotland and the PSNI have their own requirements. For age, see the police age limit; for every other entry requirement, see joining the police requirements.
What the law says about police qualifications
Regulation 10 of the Police Regulations 2003 lists the qualifications for appointment to a police force. Three parts of it deal with education and skills:
- A selected qualification or experience (regulation 10(1)(ea)). A candidate must have "a selected qualification or experience" before being appointed. Regulation 10(1A) explains that this is a qualification or type of experience selected by the chief officer from a list determined by the Secretary of State. That list is Annex BA, set out in full below. So the Home Office sets the menu, and each chief officer picks which items their force accepts.
- English and numeracy (regulation 10(1)(f)). A constable candidate must satisfy the chief officer that they are sufficiently competent in written and spoken English, and sufficiently numerate, by passing assessments approved by the Secretary of State. This is a test of competence, not a requirement to hold a particular certificate.
- The national recruitment stages (regulation 10(1)(eb)). Since 17 March 2026, constable candidates (other than transferees) must complete the national application form and pass the national sift test, the online assessment process and an in-person force interview, to the standard set by the College of Policing. These are assessments, not qualifications, but you cannot be appointed without them. See the application process.
Note the words "before being appointed" in regulation 10(1)(ea). The law requires the qualification or experience by the time you are appointed. Forces often ask for evidence at the application stage, and the College's pre-employment guidance says forces should verify every qualification an applicant claims, so ask your force when it needs the certificates.
The official list: Annex BA (2024) in full
The current list is the Home Office determination "Annex BA (Amendments): Policing Qualifications and Experience", made under regulation 10 and in force from 1 April 2024 alongside Circular 002/2024. It is the list from which a chief officer may select under regulation 10(1)(ea). Here it is, item by item.
| Item | Qualification or experience | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | A level 3 qualification within the meaning of section 3 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 | PCDA and PCEP |
| (b) | An academic or vocational qualification gained outside England and Wales that the UK National Recognition Information Centre considers equivalent to level 3 | PCDA and PCEP |
| (c) | Training or work experience, in or outside England and Wales, that the chief officer considers equivalent to level 3 | PCDA and PCEP |
| (d) | Service as a special constable, for a period the chief officer specifies | PCDA and PCEP |
| (e) | Service as a community support officer designated under section 38 of the Police Reform Act 2002, for a period the chief officer specifies | PCDA and PCEP |
| (f) | Service, for a period the chief officer specifies, in employment by a police force, or an office related to one, that the chief officer considers prepares a person for service as a member of the force | PCDA and PCEP |
| (g) | A level 6 degree in policing that meets the College of Policing's national programme specification | Pre-join degree route |
| (h) | A level 6 degree other than the degree in policing in (g) | DHEP |
| (i) | A qualification gained outside England and Wales that the UK National Recognition Information Centre considers equivalent to a UK level 6 degree | DHEP |
| (j) | Any of (a) to (i), subject to the other annexes on transferees, rejoiners and appointment above constable | Transferees, rejoiners, entry above constable |
Because the chief officer selects from the list, a force does not have to accept every item. One force might accept two years as a special constable; another might not accept item (d) at all, or might set a different period. Read the force's own entry requirements for the route you want.
Route by route: what you need and what you get
Since 1 April 2024 there are four ways to join as a new police constable (Circular 002/2024). The old Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP) closed on that date. Local forces decide which routes they run.
| Route | You need | Length and probation | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCDA (degree apprenticeship) | Annex BA (a) to (f): level 3 or accepted equivalent; College says entrants are "likely to need two A levels or an equivalent level 3 qualification" | 3 years; 3-year probation | BSc or BA (Hons) degree in professional policing practice (Skills England standard); funded primarily through the apprenticeship levy |
| PCEP (entry programme) | Annex BA (a) to (f), as for the PCDA | 2 years; 2-year probation | Not a degree. College guidance for forces says no qualification; its 2026 candidate guide says forces may accredit it with a level 5 qualification |
| DHEP (degree holder) | Annex BA (h) or (i): a level 6 degree in any subject other than the policing degree, or an overseas equivalent | 2 years; 2-year probation | Graduate diploma in professional policing practice (120 credits at level 6), funded by the force |
| Pre-join degree (PPD) holder | Annex BA (g): the College-licensed degree in professional policing, studied first and self-funded; university entry requirements apply to the degree itself | Degree usually 3 years (some 2); then a programme in force, which the College says some forces run over two years | The degree is gained before joining; you still have to apply to a force and pass recruitment |
The College says all four routes can be adapted for specialist pathways, including detective careers. Its 2026 guide describes a detective degree holder entry programme for graduates and a detective police constable entry programme that usually needs no degree. See assessment by entry route, PCEP explained and the pre-join degree.
Not every force runs every route, and intakes open and close through the year. The police force finder takes you to each force so you can check which routes it is offering before you choose. It shows information we hold about forces; the force's own recruitment page is the final word.
What counts as a level 3 qualification
Annex BA item (a) points to section 3 of the Education and Skills Act 2008. That section says a level 3 qualification is a qualification prescribed by regulations at level 3, and that level 3 is the level of attainment, in breadth and depth, which in the Secretary of State's opinion is shown by A levels in two subjects. That is where the familiar "two A levels or equivalent" comes from: two A levels are the benchmark, not the only way to meet it.
GOV.UK's list of qualification levels for England, Wales and Northern Ireland gives these examples:
| Level | Examples on GOV.UK | Meets item (a)? |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | GCSE grades 9 to 4 or A* to C; level 2 NVQ, diploma, certificate or award; level 2 functional skills; intermediate apprenticeship; O level grades A to C | No, on its own. GCSEs alone do not meet the level 3 requirement |
| Level 3 | A level; AS level; access to higher education diploma; advanced apprenticeship; applied general; International Baccalaureate diploma; level 3 award, certificate or diploma; level 3 national certificate or diploma; level 3 NVQ; level 3 ESOL; T Level; tech level; music grades 6 to 8 | These are level 3 qualifications. Whether a small one (a single AS level or a short award) matches two A levels is for the force to judge |
| Levels 4 to 8 | HNC, HND, foundation degree, degree apprenticeship, bachelor's degree, master's, doctorate | Higher than level 3. A level 6 degree also opens the DHEP |
GOV.UK points out that qualifications at the same level can cover different amounts: an AS level and an A level are both level 3, but an A level is studied over two years. So the honest answer to "is my qualification enough?" is often "it is level 3, and your force will decide whether it is equivalent to two A levels". If you are unsure, the Register of Regulated Qualifications (linked from GOV.UK) shows the level of a named qualification.
Joining without A levels: experience that can count
If you do not hold a level 3 qualification, items (c) to (f) of Annex BA give your force room to accept experience instead, for the PCDA and PCEP. Each is at the chief officer's judgement:
- Training or work experience equivalent to level 3 (item (c)). This can be gained in or outside England and Wales. The chief officer decides what is equivalent; ask what evidence the force wants, such as job descriptions, training records or references.
- Special constable service (item (d)). The chief officer sets the period. The national recruitment site says specials can apply to become paid constables in the usual way and that their experience will be valued. See special constables explained.
- PCSO service (item (e)). Service as a designated PCSO, again for a period the chief officer sets. See PCSO to police officer.
- Police staff service (item (f)). Employment by a police force, or a related office, that the chief officer considers prepares you for being a constable. Which roles count is a local judgement.
None of these is automatic. A force may accept some, all or none of them, and may set different periods for each. We could not find a national list of the periods forces use, so get the force's requirement in writing before you plan around it.
The police eligibility reality check takes about a minute and flags the requirements most likely to need a closer look, including qualifications, age, residency and vetting. It is a rough guide, not a decision; your force decides.
Overseas, Scottish and other non-England and Wales qualifications
Items (b) and (i) of Annex BA cover qualifications "gained outside England and Wales". The determination says they count where the UK National Recognition Information Centre considers them equivalent to level 3 (for the PCDA and PCEP) or to a UK level 6 degree (for the DHEP).
- The body has changed its name. UK NARIC is now UK ENIC. UK ENIC's own site describes it as the UK National Information Centre, previously UK NARIC, the official organisation for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications, working with the Department for Education. A Department for Education service record also notes the change of name from UK NARIC to UK ENIC.
- There is a fee. GOV.UK says you can contact UK ENIC to compare a non-UK qualification, and that there is a fee for this.
- Scotland and Northern Ireland. Scottish qualifications are "gained outside England and Wales", so on the wording of Annex BA they fall under item (b). GOV.UK links to a comparison of Scottish qualifications with those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland qualifications are on the GOV.UK level list. We could not confirm how individual forces handle either; ask.
- Ask before you pay. Ask the force whether it needs a UK ENIC comparison, whether it has its own process, and whether experience under item (c) might be simpler for you.
Qualifications are separate from nationality and residency, which have their own rules. See police nationality and residency requirements.
GCSE English and maths: what is actually required
This is the most confused part of police entry requirements, because three different rules overlap.
- The regulations. Regulation 10(1)(f) requires constable candidates to show competence in written and spoken English and numeracy by passing assessments approved by the Secretary of State. It does not mention GCSEs.
- College and force requirements. The College of Policing's April 2026 guide, under national minimum requirements, says a level 2 English qualification is "commonly required", such as GCSE grades 9 to 4 or A* to C, or Functional Skills level 2, and that forces may set additional requirements. The national recruitment site says some forces have additional entry requirements depending on the route.
- Apprenticeship funding rules (PCDA only, England). The PCDA is an apprenticeship, so the Department for Education's funding rules apply. The current version of the police constable apprenticeship standard (ST0304, version 1.2, for starts from 1 April 2025) says English and maths qualifications must be completed in line with those rules.
Under the apprenticeship funding rules for apprenticeships starting between 1 August 2026 and 31 July 2027:
| Your age when the apprenticeship starts | If you already hold level 2 English and maths | If you do not |
|---|---|---|
| 16 to 18 | Nothing more needed for the funding rules | English and maths are a mandatory part of the programme. For a level 3 or higher apprenticeship such as the PCDA, you must hold or achieve level 2 in both before you can complete it (paragraphs 47.1 and 55) |
| 19 or over | Nothing more needed for the funding rules | Optional. Funded only if your employer (the force) agrees to include it, and you do not need to achieve it to pass the gateway to end-point assessment (paragraphs 47.2 and 55.1). If the employer does not agree, you may use your statutory entitlement through the adult skills fund in your own time (paragraph 57.2) |
Two cautions. First, the funding rules are a floor for funding purposes, not a limit on what a force can ask for: a force can still require GCSE English and maths at entry for any route. Second, the College's entry routes page for forces (last updated 5 November 2024) still describes level 2 English and maths as a requirement before or during the PCDA. We could not confirm how each force applies the current rules to its PCDA intakes, and we did not check the separate apprenticeship rules in Wales. Ask your force what it requires for your route and age.
Do you need a degree to be a police officer?
No. The national recruitment site says you do not need a degree before you apply. The position by route:
- PCDA: no degree needed to start; you earn a degree in professional policing practice over three years while working, funded primarily through the apprenticeship levy.
- PCEP: no degree needed and none awarded; two years, delivered by the force.
- DHEP: you need a degree already, in any subject other than the College-licensed policing degree.
- Pre-join degree: the degree is the qualification, studied at your own expense before you apply. You still have to apply to a force afterwards and go through the full recruitment process.
If you already have a degree, the College designs the DHEP for you. Annex BA does not say a graduate must use the DHEP, and the 2026 to 2027 funding rules say an apprenticeship at the same or a lower level than a qualification you hold can be funded if it gives significant new skills and the content is materially different from your earlier qualification (paragraph 68.2). Whether a force places a graduate on the PCDA or the PCEP is its decision; ask before you apply.
Your previous degree subject does not matter for the DHEP. The College's requirement is a level 6 degree in any subject other than the professional policing degree. For promotion and later study after joining, see police training: what to expect.
Driving licence, swimming and other skills
Some requirements look like qualifications but are local decisions:
- Driving licence. The College of Policing's pre-employment guidance says it is for each force to decide whether a life skill such as driving is essential for the role, using its discretion locally. The national recruitment site says you normally need a full UK manual licence, that this depends on the force, and that some forces set a maximum number of penalty points. Our driving licence guide sets out what individual forces say about provisional, automatic and foreign licences and when you need one.
- Swimming. The same guidance says applications should not be rejected for inability to swim unless the force can justify why it is essential; the decision is local.
- Assessment skills. The national sift and online assessment process test competencies and values, not qualifications. See the national sift and online assessment guides.
Police jobs without a degree
| Role | Degree needed? | Who sets the entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Police constable, PCEP | No | Annex BA (a) to (f), selected by the chief officer |
| Police constable, PCDA | No (you earn one) | Annex BA (a) to (f), plus the apprenticeship rules |
| Special constable (volunteer) | No national degree requirement | Special Constables Regulations 1965 and the force; national sift and in-force interview |
| PCSO | No national degree requirement | Each force; the College says some forces run level 4 PCSO programmes leading to a qualification |
| Police staff | Depends on the role | Each force, role by role |
For how the roles differ, see officer vs PCSO vs special constable, how to become a PCSO and police staff vs police officer.
Step by step: checking your qualifications
- List what you hold. Write down every qualification with its level, and gather the certificates. Forces verify what you claim.
- Check the level. Use the GOV.UK level list, or the Register of Regulated Qualifications for a named qualification.
- Match it to a route. Degree: DHEP is open to you. Level 3: PCDA or PCEP. Policing degree: the PPD holder route. None of these: look at Annex BA items (c) to (f).
- Find which routes your force is running. Use the force finder and the force's own page.
- Read the force's entry requirements for that route. Look for GCSE English and maths, accepted equivalents, experience periods and driving licence rules.
- Fill any gap. Options include a level 3 course, level 2 English or maths, a UK ENIC comparison for overseas qualifications, or time as a special constable or PCSO if the force accepts it.
- Check the other requirements. Age, nationality and residency, fitness, medical and vetting are separate. Start with the eligibility reality check and the application form guide.
What to ask, and who to ask
- Which Annex BA items do you accept for this route?
- Do you require GCSE (or equivalent) English and maths, and at what grade?
- Is my qualification accepted as equivalent to two A levels?
- How long do I need as a special, PCSO or staff member for that to count?
- When do you need to see certificates?
- Do you need a UK ENIC comparison for my overseas qualification?
- Is a driving licence essential, and is there a points limit?
- As a graduate, which routes can I apply for?
- Your school, college or awarding body: replacement certificates and the level of a qualification.
- UK ENIC: comparisons for qualifications from outside the UK (fee payable).
- The National Careers Service (England) or Careers Wales: advice about qualification levels, which GOV.UK points people to.
- The university or training provider your force works with: how English and maths fit into the PCDA.
Common myths about police qualifications
- "You need a degree to join the police." No. The PCDA awards a degree and the PCEP does not need or award one. Only the DHEP needs a degree first.
- "You must have two A levels." Two A levels are the benchmark for level 3. Other level 3 qualifications, and experience your force accepts under Annex BA, can count.
- "GCSEs are enough." GCSEs are level 2. For the PCDA and PCEP you need level 3 or accepted experience as well.
- "Every force accepts specials or PCSO experience instead." These are options a chief officer may select, with periods set locally. Some forces may not accept them.
- "Graduates are banned from the apprenticeship." Annex BA does not say so, and the current funding rules allow same or lower-level apprenticeships in some cases. It is the force's decision.
- "Overseas qualifications need a UK NARIC certificate." UK NARIC is now UK ENIC, and you should ask your force what evidence it wants before paying for anything.
- "You need a driving licence." Only if your force decides driving is essential.
- "The old IPLDP route is still open." It closed on 1 April 2024.
What we could not verify
- Which Annex BA items each force accepts, and the experience periods. These are local decisions; we found no national list.
- How forces apply the 19+ English and maths rule to the PCDA. The funding rules make it optional for over-19s, but the College's 2024 forces page and its 2026 guide still describe level 2 English as a requirement or commonly required. Ask your force.
- Apprenticeship rules in Wales. The funding rules we read apply to England. We did not check the Welsh rules.
- The assessments approved under regulation 10(1)(f). We could not find a published Home Office approval naming the English and numeracy assessments. Ask your force how it assesses them.
- Whether PCEP leads to a qualification in your force. The College's two pages differ (no qualification, or an optional level 5 accreditation). It depends on the force.
- How forces treat Scottish and Northern Ireland qualifications. Annex BA's wording covers qualifications gained outside England and Wales; force practice may vary.
- Time limits for using the pre-join degree. Some forces may set one; we did not verify any.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be a police officer in the UK?
In England and Wales, for the degree apprenticeship (PCDA) and the police constable entry programme (PCEP) you need a level 3 qualification, such as two A levels, or experience your force accepts instead. For the degree holder entry programme (DHEP) you need a degree in any subject. Each force chooses what it accepts from a Home Office list and may add its own requirements.
Do you need a degree to be a police officer?
No. You do not need a degree before you apply. The PCDA lets you earn a degree in professional policing practice while you work, and the PCEP is a two-year route that is not a degree. A degree is only needed for the DHEP, the route designed for people who already have one.
What GCSEs do I need to be a police officer?
There is no GCSE requirement in the regulations. The College of Policing's 2026 joining guide says a level 2 English qualification, such as GCSE grade 4 or C or Functional Skills level 2, is commonly required, and forces may set their own requirements. On the PCDA in England, apprentices aged 16 to 18 at the start must achieve level 2 English and maths if they do not already hold it.
Can I join the police without A levels?
Yes. A levels are only one kind of level 3 qualification; others include a BTEC or other level 3 diploma, an Access to Higher Education diploma, a T Level or an advanced apprenticeship. The Home Office list also lets a chief officer accept equivalent training or work experience, or service as a special constable, PCSO or police staff. Your force decides which of these it accepts.
What counts as a level 3 qualification for the police?
The Home Office list refers to a level 3 qualification as defined in section 3 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, which sets level 3 as the standard shown by A levels in two subjects. GOV.UK lists examples including A levels, level 3 diplomas and certificates, the Access to HE diploma, the International Baccalaureate diploma, T Levels, level 3 NVQs and advanced apprenticeships.
Is a level 3 BTEC accepted for the police?
A level 3 BTEC is a level 3 qualification on the GOV.UK list, which includes level 3 diplomas, certificates and national diplomas. The College of Policing says entrants are likely to need two A levels or an equivalent level 3 qualification, so whether a particular BTEC is accepted, and at what size, is for your force to confirm.
Are there police jobs without a degree?
Yes. The PCEP is a two-year police constable route that is not a degree. The PCDA needs no degree to start. Special constables, PCSOs and many police staff roles have no national degree requirement; PCSO eligibility is set by each force. Check which routes your chosen force is recruiting on.
Do I need level 2 English and maths for the police apprenticeship?
Under the 2026 to 2027 apprenticeship funding rules for England, apprentices aged 16 to 18 at the start must hold or achieve level 2 English and maths to complete a level 3 or higher apprenticeship. For apprentices aged 19 or over it is optional and funded only if the employer agrees. Forces can still set their own entry requirement, so check.
Can I use overseas qualifications to join the police?
Yes, if the qualification is considered equivalent. The Home Office list refers to qualifications gained outside England and Wales that the UK National Recognition Information Centre considers equivalent to level 3 (or, for DHEP, to a UK degree). That body is now called UK ENIC, previously UK NARIC, and charges for comparisons. Ask your force what evidence it wants before you pay.
Does being a special constable count instead of qualifications?
It can. The Home Office list allows a chief officer to accept service as a special constable, for a period the chief officer specifies, for the PCDA and PCEP routes. The same applies to PCSO service and some police staff employment. Not every force accepts every item, and the required period is set locally.
Do I need a driving licence to join the police?
It depends on the force. The College of Policing's pre-employment guidance says it is for each force to decide whether driving is essential for the role, and the national recruitment site says you normally need a full licence but this depends on the force, and some forces set a maximum number of points.
What qualification do you get from police training?
The PCDA leads to a degree in professional policing practice and the DHEP to a graduate diploma in professional policing practice. The College's guidance for forces says the PCEP does not provide a qualification, while its 2026 candidate guide says forces have the option to accredit PCEP with a level 5 professional policing qualification. Ask your force.
Can I do the police degree apprenticeship if I already have a degree?
The College designs the DHEP for degree holders. The 2026 to 2027 funding rules allow an apprenticeship at the same or a lower level than a qualification you hold if it gives significant new skills and the content is materially different. Whether a force places a graduate on the PCDA is its decision.
Sources and how we checked them
Every factual claim on this page was written from the sources below, read on 1 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so check the source for the date you are reading this. Where we could not confirm something from an official or independent source, the page says so rather than guessing. Spotted something out of date? See our corrections policy.
- Police Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/527), regulation 10 (legislation.gov.uk, revised text) — reg 10(1)(ea) and (1A): selected qualification or experience before appointment; reg 10(1)(f): English and numeracy assessments; reg 10(1)(eb): four national stages (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Home Office: Annex BA (amendments), policing qualifications and experience (Circular 002/2024, in force 1 April 2024) — the full list (a) to (j) a chief officer may select from, by route (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Home Office: Circular 002/2024, police entry routes — from 1 April 2024, entry via PCDA, DHEP, pre-join degree or PCEP; IPLDP closed (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Education and Skills Act 2008, section 3 (legislation.gov.uk) — level 3 means the attainment shown by A levels in two subjects; prescribed qualifications (accessed 1 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: What qualification levels mean (updated 12 November 2024) — examples of level 2, level 3 and level 6 qualifications; UK ENIC for non-UK comparisons, with a fee (accessed 1 October 2026)
- UK ENIC (UK National Information Centre for global qualifications and skills) — describes itself as UK ENIC, previously UK NARIC, working with the Department for Education (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Department for Education design history: updating the name of the organisation which certifies international qualifications — the organisation changed its name from UK NARIC to UK ENIC (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Department for Education: Apprenticeship funding rules 2026 to 2027 (version 3, PDF) — paragraphs 47, 55, 57.2 and 68.2: English and maths mandatory for 16 to 18-year-olds, optional for 19+; graduates on same or lower-level apprenticeships (accessed 1 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: English and maths requirements in apprenticeships (updated 19 February 2026) — summary of the age-based rule and the list of accepted equivalent qualifications (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Skills England: Police constable (integrated degree), ST0304 version 1.2 (from 1 April 2025) — level 6, typically 36 months; English and maths in line with the funding rules; entry requirements vary by force (accessed 1 October 2026)
- College of Policing: Police constable entry routes (updated 5 November 2024) — entry requirements, awards and probation by route; level 2 English and maths before or during the PCDA (read via the College's production mirror) (accessed 1 October 2026)
- College of Policing: Becoming a police constable, a guide to joining the police service (April 2026, PDF) — national minimum requirements; level 2 English commonly required; route-specific requirements; PCEP option of a level 5 qualification (accessed 1 October 2026)
- College of Policing: Joining the police as a new police constable — four routes; your route depends on your qualifications and what your force offers (accessed 1 October 2026)
- College of Policing: Police constable pre-employment guidance (April 2024, PDF) — forces verify claimed qualifications; driving and swimming are local decisions (accessed 1 October 2026)
- College of Policing: Joining as a PCSO — PCSO eligibility set by each force; level 4 PCSO learning programmes (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Joining the Police (national recruitment site): Am I eligible to apply? and Common questions — minimum education level 3, defined as two A levels or equivalent; no degree needed before applying; driving licence depends on the force (accessed 1 October 2026)
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Disclaimer
PolicePay.co.uk is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with the College of Policing, the Home Office or any police force, and it does not recruit, vet or assess applicants. Recruitment standards, assessment formats and vetting decisions are set by the College of Policing and each force and change from time to time: check the force you are applying to before relying on anything here. Details apply to England and Wales unless stated. Details are as checked on 1 October 2026.