The short answer
Every force in England and Wales now uses the same four stages, a legal requirement since 17 March 2026: the national application form, the national sift, the online assessment process and an in-person force interview. Medical, fitness, references and vetting follow, then an offer tied to an intake date. Timings vary by force.
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What changed in 2026
Each force still runs its own recruitment, but two 2026 changes to regulation 10 of the Police Regulations 2003 apply to every constable candidate (other than officers transferring between forces):
- From 17 March 2026 (SI 2026/154): you must complete the national application form, pass the national sift test, pass the online assessment process and pass an in-person interview with the force that meets the national standard, within the times and to the standard the College of Policing sets.
- From 13 July 2026 (SI 2026/653): you must hold vetting clearance granted by the force within the six months before your appointment, and you must not have any conviction or caution that attracts automatic disqualification.
The College of Policing said when the first change took effect that almost all forces were already using the four-stage process. Before you start, check you meet the entry requirements.
The stages in order
National application form
Regulation 10 defines this as a form containing the complete set of questions set by the College of Policing to confirm your eligibility. The national recruitment site says application forms typically ask about your personal details, any convictions, your finances and business interests, and any tattoos, and some forces add competency or values questions. Answer every question honestly and completely. Our application form guide goes through it section by section.
National sift
Online tests of judgement and behaviours: a situational judgement test and a behavioural styles questionnaire. The College of Policing says the sift is untimed (its guides give approximate completion times of under about an hour), and is completed within a seven-day window. See the national sift hub, including a free SJT practice test.
Online assessment process
Three exercises, assessed against the Competency and Values Framework:
- Competency-based interview: recorded video answers about how you have handled situations in the past (the national recruitment site says five questions).
- Written exercise: you act as a constable and complete a written task from information provided.
- Briefing exercise: you review material and give verbal answers to questions about how you would handle issues.
Your force tells you when to expect results; you receive a feedback report. See the online assessment hub, what happens after the online assessment, the assessment process by entry route and the free OAC readiness check.
In-person interview with the force
Now a legal stage. The interview must meet the national standard set by the College of Policing; the format and questions are the force's. Practise with our mock interview.
Medical and fitness
- Medical: the national recruitment site says this varies by force but normally includes height, weight and BMI, a musculoskeletal assessment, blood pressure, a urine test, spirometry, and hearing and eyesight checks, with a health questionnaire that most forces want signed by your GP. See joining with a medical condition and the eyesight standards.
- Fitness: the 15m multi-stage fitness test to level 5.4. See the fitness hub.
References, vetting, biometrics and drug test
The College of Policing guidance says forces should verify at least five years of employment or education history, and that references are not normally taken from your current employer until an offer is being considered. Vetting covers you, your family, partner, co-residents and associates, credit checks and open-source checks. Since 13 July 2026 you can only apply for vetting clearance once you have completed the four stages above, and clearance must be granted within six months of your start date. An offer is also conditional on fingerprints and a DNA sample, and the force can require a drugs test. See police vetting for applicants.
Offer and start date
Passing everything does not mean an immediate start. Forces offer places on training intakes, so you may wait for the next one. If the wait means more than six months pass after your vetting clearance was granted, the regulations require you to reapply for clearance.
Applying to several forces, and resits
The College of Policing pre-employment guidance and online assessments guide say:
- You can apply to more than one force at a time.
- You may sit the national sift and online assessment process with only one force at a time.
- You may attempt the online assessment process no more than twice in a 12-month period, resitting from three months after the start of your previous assessment window.
- Whether another force accepts your online assessment pass is at that force's discretion.
- Previous applicants can normally reapply three months after a rejection letter, but forces decide locally.
- Severe inappropriate language or behaviour during an assessment means you cannot resit that stage for at least two years.
More detail is in rejected applications and reapplying and what happens if you fail the OAC.
Reasonable adjustments
Common delays
- Medical evidence: forms and reports from your GP or specialist can take time to arrive.
- References: previous employers not responding, or gaps in your history that need explaining.
- Vetting queries: missing addresses, family details or partner details lead to follow-up questions.
- Intakes: if the next training intake is full, you wait for the one after.
Common mistakes
- Resigning too early: wait until the force has confirmed your offer and start date in writing.
- Missing emails: check your junk folder; assessment links and medical appointments come by email.
- Leaving things off forms: an undeclared caution, conviction or police contact found at vetting ends the application.
- Not telling the force about changes: you must report new police contact or other changes in circumstances while your vetting is live.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the stages of the police application process?
Since 17 March 2026 regulation 10 of the Police Regulations 2003 requires four national stages for constable candidates: the national application form, the national sift test, the online assessment process and an in-person interview with the force. Medical and fitness checks, references, vetting, fingerprints, DNA and a drugs test follow before an offer and start date.
Can I apply to more than one police force at a time?
Yes. The College of Policing says you can apply to more than one force, but you may only sit the national sift and online assessment process with one force at a time, and no more than twice in a 12-month period. Whether another force accepts your online assessment pass is at that force's discretion.
What happens if I fail the online assessment?
The College of Policing online assessments guide says you may resit from three months after the start date of your assessment window, and no more than twice in 12 months. You must complete all the exercises again. Appeals about problems on the day go to the force within 24 hours of taking the assessment.
How long does the police application process take?
The national recruitment site says it often takes around four to six months but varies by force and by how you progress. Vetting clearance must now be granted within the six months before your start date, so forces carry out vetting close to the intake.
Is there an interview in the police application process?
Yes, two. The online assessment process includes a competency-based video interview, and since March 2026 every force must also hold an in-person interview that meets the College of Policing national standard.
When do I have the medical and fitness test?
After the assessment stages. Home Office medical standards say health questionnaires should only be used after a candidate has succeeded at assessment, and the College requires the 15m multi-stage fitness test to level 5.4. Forces set the exact order of medical, fitness and vetting.
Do I get paid during the application process?
No. Pay starts from your appointment date. Do not resign from your current job until the force has confirmed your offer and start date in writing.
Can I withdraw my police application?
Yes, you can withdraw at any stage. If you apply again later, the force will tell you which stages you need to repeat. The College says the online assessment can be postponed before you start it if extenuating circumstances will affect you, by asking your force.
Sources (read 1 October 2026)
- Police Regulations 2003, regulation 10 (latest revised text)
- Police (Amendment) (Recruitment Standards) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/154)
- Police (Conduct and Vetting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/653)
- College of Policing: Police constable recruitment regulations change (17 March 2026)
- College of Policing: Online assessments candidate guide (updated 21 July 2026)
- College of Policing: Reasonable adjustments and accommodations guide (updated 25 August 2026)
- College of Policing: Police constable pre-employment guidance (April 2024)
- Joining the Police: Get ready to apply, medical assessment and common questions
Independence Statement: Police Pay UK is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with any police force or the College of Policing. Official policies change; always check with your chosen force's recruitment team.
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