NPPF Exam Dates 2026
Every published Sergeant and Inspector sitting for 2026, with registration open and close dates — sourced from the College of Policing's own candidate handbook.
Next inspector sitting
Inspector exam: Tuesday 3 to Thursday 5 November 2026
Registration closed on 5 October 2026 at 6pm. If you are registered, you are in the final 4 weeks: practise under timed conditions and fix the areas you keep missing.
Results for this sitting are expected by about 26 November 2026 (the College's handbook date).
Dates as we last checked them against the College of Policing. Always confirm yours with the College.
sergeant Sittings
| Sitting | Registration Opens | Registration Closes | Exam Window | Results Expected By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | 19 January 2026 | 19 February 2026 (6pm) | 17 to 19 March 2026 | 9 April 2026 |
| October 2026 | 4 August 2026 | 10 September 2026 (6pm) | 6 to 8 October 2026 | 29 October 2026 |
inspector Sittings
Nearest sitting not yet finished (as at the last site update)
November 2026 — exam window 3 to 5 November 2026
College registration window: 7 September 2026 to 5 October 2026 at 6pm. Compare those dates with today's date: if the closing time has passed, registration for this sitting is closed. Results are expected by 26 November 2026.
| Sitting | Registration Opens | Registration Closes | Exam Window | Results Expected By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | 16 March 2026 | 16 April 2026 (6pm) | 12 to 14 May 2026 | 4 June 2026 |
| November 2026 | 7 September 2026 | 5 October 2026 (6pm) | 3 to 5 November 2026 | 26 November 2026 |
Whichever Sitting You're Aiming For
Start practising now — a 6-month toolkit pass comfortably covers a full revision cycle to either sitting above.
Start The Free Sample →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for the NPPF exam?
Registration is handled through the College of Policing's own exam platform, not through this site — check the official candidate handbook link below for the current process. This page tracks the published sitting dates and registration windows so you know when you need to act.
What happens if I miss the registration deadline?
You'll need to wait for the next published sitting — there are typically two sittings a year per rank, roughly six months apart, so missing one means a significant delay before your next opportunity.
Do registration deadlines close at midnight?
No — check the specific time for each sitting below. Deadlines closing at 6pm rather than midnight catch out candidates who assume they have the whole day.
Results day: what to do next
Leave your email and we will email you ourselves around results day with what to do next, whether you passed or not: the resit plan and dates if you need them, the next steps if you passed. Also exam dates and rule changes as they happen. No automatic emails.
Official Sources
Dates sourced from the College of Policing's own published candidate handbook (2026 edition) and checked against it on 6 October 2026. The October 2026 sergeants' results are not out yet; the results dates shown are the College's expected-by dates, not results. always confirm directly with the College of Policing before making firm plans, as dates can be updated.