NPPF Exam Dates
2027
The College of Policing has published all four 2027 sittings of the NPPF step two legal exam. Sergeants sit on 16 to 18 March and 5 to 7 October 2027; inspectors on 11 to 13 May and 2 to 4 November 2027. This page sets out every registration window and results date from the 2027 candidate handbook, works out the week-by-week countdown to each sitting, and covers the deadlines that catch people out: your force's earlier closing date, adjustments, withdrawals, leave and shift clashes.
Independent information, not advice · Sources checked 4 October 2026 · England and Wales unless stated
Sergeants: Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 March 2027 (register 18 January to 6pm 18 February, results by 8 April) and Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 October 2027 (register 3 August to 6pm 9 September, results by 28 October). Inspectors: Tuesday 11 to Thursday 13 May 2027 (register 15 March to 6pm 15 April, results by 3 June) and Tuesday 2 to Thursday 4 November 2027 (register 6 September to 6pm 4 October, results by 25 November). All four use the 2027 Blackstone's Police Manuals and run 8am to 8pm each day. Source: College of Policing handbook updated 10 September 2026, checked 4 October 2026.
All four 2027 sittings at a glance
Every date in this table comes from the College of Policing's NPPF step two candidate handbook for 2027 (web version updated 10 September 2026, PDF dated September 2026) and matches the 2027 dates on the College's exam hub. We read both on 4 October 2026. Registration closing times are 6pm on the day; the other dates are whole days.
| Sitting | Exam days (8am to 8pm) | Registration opens | Registration closes (College) | Results by | Manuals edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeants, March 2027 | Tue 16 to Thu 18 March | Mon 18 January | 6pm Thu 18 February | Thu 8 April | 2027 |
| Inspectors, May 2027 | Tue 11 to Thu 13 May | Mon 15 March | 6pm Thu 15 April | Thu 3 June | 2027 |
| Sergeants, October 2027 | Tue 5 to Thu 7 October | Tue 3 August | 6pm Thu 9 September | Thu 28 October | 2027 |
| Inspectors, November 2027 | Tue 2 to Thu 4 November | Mon 6 September | 6pm Mon 4 October | Thu 25 November | 2027 |
First, the registration closing date is the College's final date for forces to verify and allocate candidates; the handbook says your force may close earlier. Second, you can sit on any one of the three days within the 8am to 8pm window, but there are no alternative dates at all. Third, the exam itself is the same for every sitting of a rank in format: 150 multiple-choice questions in three hours, 10 removed after marking, scored out of 140. For the format in full see the step 2 exam explained.
The pattern is the same as 2026: sergeants in March and October, inspectors in May and November, always Tuesday to Thursday. Registration opens about eight weeks before each exam (nine for October) and, for three of the four sittings, closes 26 days before the first exam day (29 days for November). Results are due by the Thursday three weeks after the last exam day.
The College's exam hub also says that, for forces trialling the SIPP legal test, those tests take place at the same time as the NPPF exams. If your force runs SIPP rather than NPPF, read SIPP explained and check the arrangements with your force.
Sergeants' exam 2027: March and October
Two sittings, both on the 2027 Manuals. If you are a constable who becomes eligible during 2027, the March sitting is the first chance on the new books and October is the second. The sergeants' paper includes the Weapons chapter (chapter 1.8 of the Crime Manual), which the handbook's Appendix A marks as sergeants' exam only.
| March 2027 | October 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration opens | Monday 18 January 2027 | Tuesday 3 August 2027 |
| Registration closes (College) | 6pm Thursday 18 February 2027 | 6pm Thursday 9 September 2027 |
| Length of registration window | 31 days | 37 days |
| Exam period | Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 March 2027 | Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 October 2027 |
| Daily window | 8am to 8pm, any one day | 8am to 8pm, any one day |
| Registration close to first exam day | 26 days | 26 days |
| Unscheduled incident report deadline | 8pm Sunday 21 March 2027 | 8pm Sunday 10 October 2027 |
| Results by | Thursday 8 April 2027 | Thursday 28 October 2027 |
| Manuals edition examined | Blackstone's Police Manuals 2027 | Blackstone's Police Manuals 2027 |
| Pass mark (debrief panel can alter it in exceptional circumstances) | 55%, 77 of 140 scored questions | 55%, 77 of 140 scored questions |
The October registration window opens in early August, during the summer leave season, and closes 26 days before the exam. If you are away for much of August, find out your force's internal date before you go. For what the paper tests and how it is marked, see the sergeants' exam explained and the pass mark explained.
Inspectors' exam 2027: May and November
Inspectors also have two sittings on the 2027 Manuals. The paper covers the same three Manuals as the sergeants', except the sergeants-only Weapons chapter, with a higher pass mark of 65% (91 of 140).
| May 2027 | November 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration opens | Monday 15 March 2027 | Monday 6 September 2027 |
| Registration closes (College) | 6pm Thursday 15 April 2027 | 6pm Monday 4 October 2027 |
| Length of registration window | 31 days | 28 days |
| Exam period | Tuesday 11 to Thursday 13 May 2027 | Tuesday 2 to Thursday 4 November 2027 |
| Daily window | 8am to 8pm, any one day | 8am to 8pm, any one day |
| Registration close to first exam day | 26 days | 29 days |
| Unscheduled incident report deadline | 8pm Sunday 16 May 2027 | 8pm Sunday 7 November 2027 |
| Results by | Thursday 3 June 2027 | Thursday 25 November 2027 |
| Manuals edition examined | Blackstone's Police Manuals 2027 | Blackstone's Police Manuals 2027 |
| Pass mark (debrief panel can alter it in exceptional circumstances) | 65%, 91 of 140 scored questions | 65%, 91 of 140 scored questions |
The November registration window is the shortest of the year at 28 days, and it closes on a Monday, not a Thursday. The May registration window runs across Easter 2027 (Good Friday 26 March, Easter Monday 29 March), so a force deadline set a couple of weeks before the College's would fall just after the Easter weekend. More on the paper in the inspectors' exam explained.
What happens to the remaining 2026 sittings
Two 2026 sittings were still to run when we wrote this page on 4 October 2026. Both are on the 2026 Manuals, not the 2027 edition. The dates are on the College's exam hub and in the 2026 handbook (still available as a PDF); the deadlines for completing step three after a pass come from the validity table in the current handbook.
| Sitting | Exam days | Registration | Results | Manuals | Pass valid for step three until |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeants, October 2026 | Tue 6 to Thu 8 October 2026 | Closed 6pm Thu 10 September 2026 | By Thu 29 October 2026 | 2026 | Step three by 7 October 2031 |
| Inspectors, November 2026 | Tue 3 to Thu 5 November 2026 | College closed 6pm Mon 5 October 2026 | By Thu 26 November 2026 | 2026 | Step three by 4 November 2031 |
- Sergeants, October 2026. The exam runs Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 October 2026 (the window opened on 6 October 2026). Registration closed on 10 September 2026, so if you were not entered you cannot join it. Your next sitting is March 2027 on the 2027 Manuals.
- Inspectors, November 2026. College registration closed at 6pm on Monday 5 October 2026. Your force may have set an earlier internal date, so unless your force examinations officer confirms you can still be entered, plan for May 2027.
- If you fail a 2026 sitting, your resit is on the 2027 Manuals. The handbook tells candidates not to rely on previous editions.
Full detail on the 2026 dates is on our NPPF exam dates 2026 page.
Which Blackstone's edition each sitting uses
The 2027 handbook says the syllabus is "only contained within" the 2027 edition of the Blackstone's Police Manuals, that exam questions are drawn solely from them, and that candidates are examined on the law and procedure only as it appears in that edition. Changes to the law after publication are examined only in exceptional circumstances and only if the College gives notice through its website and force examinations officers.
- October and November 2026: 2026 Manuals.
- March, May, October and November 2027: 2027 Manuals, the same books for all four.
- 2028 sittings: not yet published. If the annual pattern continues, a 2028 edition will appear in summer 2027 while you are still revising for October or November 2027. Those autumn sittings are still examined on the 2027 edition.
The 2027 three-volume pack (Crime, Evidence and Procedure, General Police Duties; ISBN 9780197918104) was published by Oxford University Press in August 2026 and listed at £89.00 by the bookseller Wildy & Sons when we checked on 4 October 2026 (printed books are zero-rated for VAT in the UK). Police officers and staff in England and Wales can get 30% off the Manuals through College Learn, according to the handbook. The College endorses the Manuals only; it says other products, including the Blackstone's Q&As, are not affiliated with it. For the full comparison of editions and prices see which Blackstone's edition.
Why your force's deadline comes before the College's
The College's closing date is the deadline for the end of a chain, not the start. The handbook describes it as "the final dates for registrations to be verified and allocated by forces". Before then, several things have to happen in order:
- Your line manager (or equivalent) completes and signs the step one eligibility form confirming you meet the criteria.
- The form goes back to your force examinations officer ahead of the registration closing date.
- When registration opens, your force examinations officer sends you the link to AIMS, the College's registration system, and you register with your personal details.
- The force examinations officer verifies your eligibility and allocates you to the exam on AIMS by the College's closing date.
The handbook says late registrations are considered only where exceptional circumstances show it was outside your control to register in time, and that "a heavy workload or being unaware of the registration period" will not be accepted. It tells candidates to check their force's closing date with the force examinations officer. We have not listed force-by-force internal deadlines because forces set them sitting by sitting and few publish them openly.
Two practical details from the handbook. Take a screenshot of the AIMS confirmation page in case the confirmation email does not arrive, and do not register twice, as that creates duplicate entries. Enter your name, date of birth, National Insurance number and email address exactly: you will need them again to open your results, and errors delay access. The full step-by-step is in the NPPF registration checklist.
The other deadlines tied to each sitting
Registration is not the only date. The handbook ties several other requests to the registration closing date, and sets short deadlines after the exam. For each 2027 sitting, "registration closing date" means 18 February, 15 April, 9 September or 4 October 2027, or your force's earlier date.
| What | Deadline | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Step one eligibility form, signed by your line manager | Back to your force examinations officer ahead of the registration closing date | Without it you cannot be verified, and a result taken while ineligible is voided with no appeal |
| Reasonable adjustments and accommodations | Submitted to your force no later than the registration closing date | Later requests may limit what the College can offer |
| Fitness certificate if you are sick or on limited duties | Given to your force examinations officer at the time of registration | Without a force medical examiner (or equivalent) certificate you may not sit, even at home |
| Sitting during a career break | Your force tells the College, with chief officer approval, by the registration closing date | Only if your career break terms allow it |
| Maternity or paternity accommodations | No later than the registration closing date | You may choose to sit; accommodations may be possible |
| Suspended officers | Chief officer sign-off before you sit | Your force examinations officer must have it in place |
| Withdrawal | Tell your force examinations officer immediately | Forces are charged for everyone still registered two weeks before the exam; once withdrawn you cannot be re-entered |
| Unscheduled incident report | Within three days of sitting; for 2027, by 8pm on 21 March, 16 May, 10 October or 7 November | The only chance to report; late reports are not considered |
| Question query (legal accuracy or fairness) | No later than three days after sitting | Reviewed by the marking panel before results |
Exam-day rules, breaks and technical set-up are covered in online exam rules and exam day.
Eligibility is judged at the exam date
The eligibility tests in the handbook are measured "by the date of the NPPF step two legal examination". That decides which 2027 sitting is your first realistic option.
| Exam | Condition | Measured at | If you are close |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeants' exam | Regular constable with two years' service and probation completed | By the date of the exam, not the registration date | Nearing the end of probation: only with force support and if you will be substantive by the exam date |
| Inspectors' exam (NPPF-qualified sergeant) | Substantive sergeant, after the mandatory 12 months of step four | By the date of the exam | Nearing the end of temporary promotion: only with force support and if substantive by the exam date; otherwise the result is voided |
| Inspectors' exam (OSPRE-qualified sergeant) | Substantive sergeant | From day one of the sergeant posting | Two years as a substantive sergeant are still needed before promotion to inspector |
| Both exams | No live written warning, final written warning or extended final written warning; no live written improvement notice | Confirmed at step one | Line manager confirms; the force examinations officer verifies |
The handbook is blunt about early entries: a candidate who takes the exam before being substantive in rank has the result voided, and there is no right of appeal. Step four of the sergeants' NPPF (temporary promotion and work-based assessment) is a mandatory 12 months that cannot be reduced, so an NPPF-qualified sergeant cannot sit the inspectors' exam until that is complete and they are made substantive. A live misconduct warning or written improvement notice also blocks step one, so if one is due to expire, compare its expiry date with the registration closing date as well as the exam date, because your line manager has to confirm eligibility on the step one form before registration closes.
How far ahead to start revising: what the dates tell you
The College does not say how many weeks of revision you need, and we have no data on what works for whom, so this section sticks to arithmetic. Three facts from the calendar shape any plan:
- Registration opens late. About eight weeks before each 2027 exam (nine for October). If you wait until you are registered to start, you have at most eight or nine weeks.
- Registration closes close to the exam. 26 days before for March, May and October; 29 days for November. Withdrawing after that is possible but your force is charged from two weeks before, and you cannot re-enter.
- The books are already out. The 2027 Manuals were published in August 2026, so the full syllabus for every 2027 sitting is available now.
| Sitting | From 4 Oct 2026 to first exam day | Registration open before exam | Registration close to exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeants, March 2027 | 163 days (23 weeks) | about 8 weeks | 26 days |
| Inspectors, May 2027 | 219 days (31 weeks) | about 8 weeks | 26 days |
| Sergeants, October 2027 | 366 days (52 weeks) | 9 weeks | 26 days |
| Inspectors, November 2027 | 394 days (56 weeks) | about 8 weeks | 29 days |
The next table gives the Monday on which to start for a chosen length of revision, counted back from the Monday of exam week. Pick the length you think you need; the table only does the counting.
| Revision length | Sergeants, March 2027 | Inspectors, May 2027 | Sergeants, October 2027 | Inspectors, November 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Mon 18 Jan 2027 | Mon 15 Mar 2027 | Mon 9 Aug 2027 | Mon 6 Sep 2027 |
| 12 weeks | Mon 21 Dec 2026 | Mon 15 Feb 2027 | Mon 12 Jul 2027 | Mon 9 Aug 2027 |
| 16 weeks | Mon 23 Nov 2026 | Mon 18 Jan 2027 | Mon 14 Jun 2027 | Mon 12 Jul 2027 |
| 20 weeks | Mon 26 Oct 2026 | Mon 21 Dec 2026 | Mon 17 May 2027 | Mon 14 Jun 2027 |
| 26 weeks | Mon 14 Sep 2026 (passed) | Mon 9 Nov 2026 | Mon 5 Apr 2027 | Mon 3 May 2027 |
Our free exam study planner takes your sitting and start date and lays out the weeks for you, so you can see how many chapters each week has to carry. For timetables built around practice questions and full sittings, see the sergeant revision plan and inspector revision plan.
Week-by-week countdown: March 2027 sergeants' exam
Every week from 5 October 2026 to the March exam. The "weeks out" column counts from the Monday of exam week (15 March 2027). The middle column lists only dates published by the College, plus two notes we have marked as our reading. The last column lists bank holidays in England and Wales from GOV.UK, which matter if you revise on days off or if your force works a reduced roster.
| Week commencing | Weeks out | Official dates this week | Bank holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 5 Oct 2026 | 23 | October 2026 sergeants' exam, Tue 6 to Thu 8 Oct (the last 2026 sergeants' sitting, on the 2026 Manuals) | - |
| Mon 12 Oct 2026 | 22 | - | - |
| Mon 19 Oct 2026 | 21 | - | - |
| Mon 26 Oct 2026 | 20 | October 2026 results due by Thu 29 Oct (2026 handbook); if you are resitting, March is your next sitting | - |
| Mon 2 Nov 2026 | 19 | - | - |
| Mon 9 Nov 2026 | 18 | - | - |
| Mon 16 Nov 2026 | 17 | - | - |
| Mon 23 Nov 2026 | 16 | - | - |
| Mon 30 Nov 2026 | 15 | - | - |
| Mon 7 Dec 2026 | 14 | - | - |
| Mon 14 Dec 2026 | 13 | - | - |
| Mon 21 Dec 2026 | 12 | - | Christmas Day (Fri 25 Dec) |
| Mon 28 Dec 2026 | 11 | - | Boxing Day substitute (Mon 28 Dec), New Year's Day (Fri 1 Jan) |
| Mon 4 Jan 2027 | 10 | - | - |
| Mon 11 Jan 2027 | 9 | - | - |
| Mon 18 Jan 2027 | 8 | Registration opens, Mon 18 Jan. Ask your force examinations officer for the internal deadline and the step one form | - |
| Mon 25 Jan 2027 | 7 | - | - |
| Mon 1 Feb 2027 | 6 | - | - |
| Mon 8 Feb 2027 | 5 | - | - |
| Mon 15 Feb 2027 | 4 | College registration closes, 6pm Thu 18 Feb. Also the College deadline for adjustment requests and career break notifications (fitness certificates go in when you register) | - |
| Mon 22 Feb 2027 | 3 | - | - |
| Mon 1 Mar 2027 | 2 | Two weeks before the exam (Tue 2 Mar on our reading): forces are charged for everyone still registered | - |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | 1 | - | - |
| Mon 15 Mar 2027 | Exam week | Exam Tue 16 to Thu 18 Mar, 8am to 8pm. Incident reports by 8pm Sun 21 Mar | - |
| Mon 5 Apr 2027 | Results | Results by Thu 8 Apr | Easter Monday (29 Mar) falls in the wait |
Read down the table and the March run-in has one awkward feature: the 12 weeks before the exam begin in Christmas week, so the festive period sits inside any plan of 12 weeks or longer. Registration then opens in week 8 and closes in week 4, which is when the admin (step one form, AIMS, any adjustments) competes with revision time.
Week-by-week countdown: May 2027 inspectors' exam
The same layout for the May inspectors' exam, counted to the Monday of exam week (10 May 2027). If you sat the November 2026 inspectors' exam, your results arrive in the second half of November and this table shows how much time remains from that point.
| Week commencing | Weeks out | Official dates this week | Bank holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 5 Oct 2026 | 31 | November 2026 inspectors' registration closed at 6pm Mon 5 Oct (College deadline) | - |
| Mon 12 Oct 2026 | 30 | - | - |
| Mon 19 Oct 2026 | 29 | - | - |
| Mon 26 Oct 2026 | 28 | - | - |
| Mon 2 Nov 2026 | 27 | November 2026 inspectors' exam, Tue 3 to Thu 5 Nov (2026 Manuals) | - |
| Mon 9 Nov 2026 | 26 | - | - |
| Mon 16 Nov 2026 | 25 | - | - |
| Mon 23 Nov 2026 | 24 | November 2026 results due by Thu 26 Nov (2026 handbook); if you are resitting, May is your next sitting and it uses the 2027 Manuals | - |
| Mon 30 Nov 2026 | 23 | - | - |
| Mon 7 Dec 2026 | 22 | - | - |
| Mon 14 Dec 2026 | 21 | - | - |
| Mon 21 Dec 2026 | 20 | - | Christmas Day (Fri 25 Dec) |
| Mon 28 Dec 2026 | 19 | - | Boxing Day substitute (Mon 28 Dec), New Year's Day (Fri 1 Jan) |
| Mon 4 Jan 2027 | 18 | - | - |
| Mon 11 Jan 2027 | 17 | - | - |
| Mon 18 Jan 2027 | 16 | - | - |
| Mon 25 Jan 2027 | 15 | - | - |
| Mon 1 Feb 2027 | 14 | - | - |
| Mon 8 Feb 2027 | 13 | - | - |
| Mon 15 Feb 2027 | 12 | - | - |
| Mon 22 Feb 2027 | 11 | - | - |
| Mon 1 Mar 2027 | 10 | - | - |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | 9 | - | - |
| Mon 15 Mar 2027 | 8 | Registration opens, Mon 15 Mar. Ask your force examinations officer for the internal deadline and the step one form | - |
| Mon 22 Mar 2027 | 7 | - | Good Friday (26 Mar) |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | 6 | - | Easter Monday (29 Mar) |
| Mon 5 Apr 2027 | 5 | - | - |
| Mon 12 Apr 2027 | 4 | College registration closes, 6pm Thu 15 Apr. Also the College deadline for adjustment requests and career break notifications (fitness certificates go in when you register) | - |
| Mon 19 Apr 2027 | 3 | - | - |
| Mon 26 Apr 2027 | 2 | Two weeks before the exam (Tue 27 Apr on our reading): forces are charged for everyone still registered | - |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | 1 | - | Early May bank holiday (Mon 3 May) |
| Mon 10 May 2027 | Exam week | Exam Tue 11 to Thu 13 May, 8am to 8pm. Incident reports by 8pm Sun 16 May | - |
| Mon 31 May 2027 | Results | Results by Thu 3 June | Spring bank holiday (Mon 31 May) |
Three bank holidays fall in the last seven weeks: Good Friday, Easter Monday and the early May bank holiday the week before the exam. Registration opens in week 8, during Easter's run-up, and closes in week 4.
October and November 2027: the milestones
For the autumn sittings, a milestone view is more useful than a 50-row table. Weeks out are counted to the Monday of exam week (4 October and 1 November 2027).
| Milestone | Sergeants, October 2027 | Inspectors, November 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Revision start for 26 weeks | Mon 5 Apr 2027 | Mon 3 May 2027 |
| Revision start for 20 weeks | Mon 17 May 2027 | Mon 14 Jun 2027 |
| Revision start for 16 weeks | Mon 14 Jun 2027 | Mon 12 Jul 2027 |
| Revision start for 12 weeks | Mon 12 Jul 2027 | Mon 9 Aug 2027 |
| Registration opens (8 or 9 weeks out) | Tue 3 Aug 2027 | Mon 6 Sep 2027 |
| Summer bank holiday | Mon 30 Aug 2027 (5 weeks out) | Mon 30 Aug 2027 (9 weeks out) |
| College registration closes | 6pm Thu 9 Sep 2027 (4 weeks out) | 6pm Mon 4 Oct 2027 (4 weeks out) |
| Forces charged for registered candidates (our reading) | Tue 21 Sep 2027 | Tue 19 Oct 2027 |
| Exam period | Tue 5 to Thu 7 Oct 2027 | Tue 2 to Thu 4 Nov 2027 |
| Incident report deadline | 8pm Sun 10 Oct 2027 | 8pm Sun 7 Nov 2027 |
| Results by | Thu 28 Oct 2027 | Thu 25 Nov 2027 |
Two features stand out. The October sergeants' registration window opens on a Tuesday (3 August) in peak summer leave, and the November inspectors' window closes on Monday 4 October, the same week the October sergeants sit. And because these sittings fall after the likely publication of a 2028 edition, anyone revising through summer 2027 needs to stay on the 2027 Manuals.
How to choose between sittings
Most candidates have a choice of two sittings a year. The table sets the published facts side by side; the questions underneath are the ones that usually decide it.
| Sergeants, March | Sergeants, October | Inspectors, May | Inspectors, November | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Months after the 2027 Manuals were published (August 2026) | About 7 | About 14 | About 9 | About 15 |
| Public holidays in the 12 weeks before | Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year | Summer bank holiday | Good Friday, Easter Monday, early May | Summer bank holiday |
| Results by | 8 Apr 2027 | 28 Oct 2027 | 3 Jun 2027 | 25 Nov 2027 |
| Next sitting if you do not pass | 5 to 7 Oct 2027 (about 6 months after results) | March 2028 (dates not yet published) | 2 to 4 Nov 2027 (about 5 months after results) | May 2028 (dates not yet published) |
| Edition for that next sitting | 2027 (same books) | Not yet confirmed; 2028 if the annual pattern holds | 2027 (same books) | Not yet confirmed; 2028 if the annual pattern holds |
Questions that decide it
- Will you be eligible on the exam date? Two years' service and probation complete for sergeants; substantive sergeant for inspectors. If not, the choice is made for you.
- How many attempts does your force allow? There is no national limit, but forces can set one. If yours does, an early attempt you are not ready for costs more than a later one.
- When does your force run step three? A pass lasts five years less one day, so passing well before a board is rarely a problem. If you already hold a pass that is near expiry, the handbook lets you register without forfeiting your remaining validity, and asks you to withdraw if you then succeed at step three. Sitting the exam again does forfeit the remaining validity, whatever the result.
- Which run-in suits your year? March means Christmas inside the revision period; October and November mean summer leave; May means Easter. None is better in general; it depends on your shifts, family and leave.
- Where does a resit leave you? Fail in March or May and the next sitting is in the same year on the same books. Fail in October or November and the next sitting is in 2028, likely on a new edition.
Published pass rates differ by sitting, but they compare different papers and different groups of candidates. They are not evidence that one month is easier. The two most recent overviews linked from the College's hub:
| Sitting | Candidates | Successful | Success rate | Cut score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeants, March 2026 | 3,215 | 1,882 | 58.5% | 55% |
| Inspectors, May 2026 | 1,739 | 644 | 37.0% | 65% |
What happened in each paper is broken down in what comes up in the exam. For how the two ranks' papers compare, see sergeant vs inspector exam.
Planning around leave, shifts and courses
Exam week is three weekdays and there is no fallback date. The rules below are from the 2027 handbook; the right-hand column is what they mean when you look at your roster.
| Issue | What the handbook says | What it means for planning |
|---|---|---|
| Exam window | Tuesday to Thursday, 8am to 8pm, any one day; 3 hours in one sitting | You need a free three-hour block plus set-up time on one of three weekdays |
| Comfort breaks | Allowed, but the clock keeps running unless an agreed adjustment allows scheduled breaks | Plan the session as one continuous block |
| Where you sit | No national requirement for a test centre or supervision; your environment is your responsibility | Home or work both work, if the space is quiet and the connection reliable |
| Abroad | The College cannot support candidates sitting abroad on holiday | Do not book a foreign holiday over exam week and expect to sit from there |
| Illness | No alternative dates; sickness is not grounds for an unscheduled incident appeal | If you are already on sick leave or limited duties, sort the fitness certificate at registration |
| Workload and tiredness | Lack of preparation or a heavy workload before the exam is not accepted as an unscheduled incident | A run of late shifts or a busy week will not be taken into account |
| Technology | Local connection and device problems are not accepted as unscheduled incidents; candidates should complete any familiarisation exercise | Test the device and browser well before exam day |
| Pregnancy, maternity and paternity leave | You may choose to sit; accommodations may be possible; apply as early as practicable, and for maternity or paternity leave by the registration closing date | Raise it with your force examinations officer early |
Shift patterns
Because you can choose any of the three days between 8am and 8pm, the question is whether your roster gives you one of Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday with a free three-hour block. Look up exam week as soon as your force publishes the roster. If none of the three days works, raise it with your line manager early, not in exam week: the College offers no alternative times or dates, and arrangements for time to sit are a force matter.
Annual leave
Leave is granted by your force, not the College. If you want leave for the exam day or the days before it, the dates are fixed now, so the request can go in as soon as your force opens leave booking for that period. The College will not support sitting the exam from abroad while on holiday, so a foreign trip over exam week effectively rules that sitting out.
Courses, abstractions and crammers
Check exam week against any course, attachment or training you are booked on, and against the dates of any revision course your force or Federation branch runs. A residential course in exam week can still leave you a free evening, as you can start up to 8pm (the College recommends finishing by then, when its support ends), but you need a suitable quiet space and a reliable connection, and the College will not hear appeals about an unsuitable testing environment.
The handbook lists what the College will not accept as an unscheduled incident: lack of preparation, a heavy workload, sickness (including family members), issues you knew about when you sat, local connection or device problems, and your own testing environment. The debrief panel does not consider extenuating circumstances. If the week looks wrong, the only real choice is whether to withdraw before the exam.
After the exam: results, resits and validity
Results reach force examinations officers through AIMS within three weeks, and you get a link to your own feedback report showing your grade, total percentage and a breakdown by subject area. There are no certificates; the handbook says the feedback report is your proof of result and cannot be reissued, so save it. There is no remarking, and marginal fails are not reconsidered.
A pass is valid for five years less one day from the date of the exam. For a step three process to count, it must fall within that period. The handbook's table lists the deadline for each past sitting; it does not yet include 2027. The rows below show the published dates for 2026 and our reading of the same pattern for 2027 (last exam day, plus five years, less one day).
| Sitting | Exam days | Final stage of step three by | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeants, March 2026 | 17 to 19 March 2026 | 18 March 2031 | Published |
| Sergeants, October 2026 | 6 to 8 October 2026 | 7 October 2031 | Published |
| Inspectors, May 2026 | 12 to 14 May 2026 | 13 May 2031 | Published |
| Inspectors, November 2026 | 3 to 5 November 2026 | 4 November 2031 | Published |
| Sergeants, March 2027 | 16 to 18 March 2027 | 17 March 2032 | Our reading of the pattern |
| Inspectors, May 2027 | 11 to 13 May 2027 | 12 May 2032 | Our reading of the pattern |
| Sergeants, October 2027 | 5 to 7 October 2027 | 6 October 2032 | Our reading of the pattern |
| Inspectors, November 2027 | 2 to 4 November 2027 | 3 November 2032 | Our reading of the pattern |
Validity extensions can be considered for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave, maternity-related sickness and support, career breaks for care and long-term sickness. Applications go through your force examinations officer to the College's exams team, which sends cases to its panel in exceptional circumstances, on the first of February, April, June, August, October and December; submit at least two weeks before. Forces cannot grant extensions themselves, and lack of promotion opportunities is not a ground. More in results, validity and resits.
Worked scenarios
Illustrative examples to show how the dates and rules combine. They are not real cases. Where eligibility turns on a service date, check it with your force examinations officer.
Common myths about exam dates
Checklist for your 2027 sitting
- Confirm which sitting you will be eligible for on the exam date, using the conditions above.
- Ask your force examinations officer for the internal registration deadline and step one form for that sitting.
- Get the 2027 Blackstone's Police Manuals, using the College Learn discount if you are eligible.
- Pick a revision length and find your start date in the table above, or put the dates into the free study planner.
- Check your roster for the Tuesday to Thursday of exam week and request leave or a change of shift early.
- If you need adjustments, a fitness certificate or a career break notification, have it in before registration closes.
- Register on AIMS when the link arrives, enter your details exactly and screenshot the confirmation.
- Test your device and complete any familiarisation exercise before exam week.
- Diary the incident report deadline (three days after sitting) and the results date.
- Save your feedback report when it arrives; it is your only proof of a pass.
If you want practice under timed conditions before the day, the College's own free practice questions are in its Knowledge Hub group (login needed), and our sergeant and inspector sample questions are free. They are original practice material, not real exam questions. For method, see how to pass the sergeants' exam and how to pass the inspectors' exam.
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.
What we could not verify
- Step three deadlines for 2027 passes. The validity table does not yet include 2027. The dates shown are our reading of the pattern the College uses for earlier sittings.
- When forces are charged. The handbook says forces are charged for candidates registered "two weeks before the examination date". We have read that as two weeks before the first exam day.
- Force internal deadlines. They vary by force and sitting, and most are not published. We have not listed any.
- A 2028 edition and 2028 dates. Neither had been published when we checked. The suggestion that a 2028 edition will appear in summer 2027 is based on the pattern of the 2026 and 2027 editions, not an announcement.
- The publisher's own listing. Oxford University Press's product page did not load for our reader. The August 2026 publication date and £89.00 price are from the bookseller Wildy & Sons.
- How forces handle choosing the exam day. The handbook says the College will give forces more information about sitting on any day within the period. We have not seen that guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the sergeants' exam in 2027?
There are two sergeants' sittings in 2027: Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 March, and Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 October. Each runs between 8am and 8pm each day, and you can sit on any one day within the period. Both dates are in the College of Policing's 2027 candidate handbook (updated 10 September 2026) and on its exam hub, checked 4 October 2026.
When is the inspectors' exam in 2027?
Tuesday 11 to Thursday 13 May 2027, and Tuesday 2 to Thursday 4 November 2027, between 8am and 8pm each day. In 2027, as in 2026, inspectors and sergeants do not sit in the same month: sergeants have March and October, inspectors May and November.
When does registration open and close for the March 2027 sergeants' exam?
Registration opens on Monday 18 January 2027 and closes at 6pm on Thursday 18 February 2027. That closing time is the College's final date for forces to verify and allocate candidates. The handbook warns that forces may set earlier closing dates, so your own deadline is whatever your force examinations officer tells you.
When are the 2027 NPPF results released?
The 2027 handbook says candidates can expect results by Thursday 8 April 2027 (March sergeants), Thursday 3 June 2027 (May inspectors), Thursday 28 October 2027 (October sergeants) and Thursday 25 November 2027 (November inspectors). Each is three weeks after the last exam day. You receive a link to your feedback report through AIMS.
Which Blackstone's edition do I need for the 2027 exams?
The 2027 edition of the Blackstone's Police Manuals, for all four 2027 sittings. The handbook says the syllabus is only contained within the 2027 edition and candidates are examined on the law as it appears there. The 2027 three-volume pack was published in August 2026.
Which 2026 exams are still to come, and can I still enter them?
The October 2026 sergeants' exam runs Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 October 2026; its registration closed on 10 September, so no new entries are possible. The November 2026 inspectors' exam runs Tuesday 3 to Thursday 5 November 2026; College registration closed at 6pm on Monday 5 October 2026, so only candidates already entered can sit it. Both 2026 sittings are on the 2026 Manuals.
Can I sit the exam on any of the three days?
Yes. The handbook says there is flexibility to sit the exam on any day within the official exam period, between 8am and 8pm, and that the College will give forces more information. There are no alternative dates or times outside that period, including for illness.
Why is my force's registration deadline earlier than the College's?
The College's closing date is the final date by which forces must have verified that each candidate is eligible and allocated them to the exam. Before that, your line manager has to sign the step one eligibility form and your force examinations officer has to check it. The handbook says forces may have earlier closing dates and that being unaware of the registration period is not an exceptional circumstance for a late entry.
How far ahead should I start revising for the 2027 exams?
The College does not set a figure. What the dates do tell you is that registration opens only about eight weeks before each 2027 exam (nine for October), and closes under four weeks before three of them. If you wait for registration before starting, you will have at most eight or nine weeks. The countdown tables on this page show the start date for 8, 12, 16, 20 or 26 weeks of revision for each sitting.
Can I withdraw if I am not ready?
Yes, by telling your force examinations officer immediately with your reason. Once you withdraw you cannot be re-entered for that sitting and you are not carried over to the next one. Forces are charged for every candidate still registered two weeks before the exam date, and the handbook says forces may apply their own penalties for absent candidates.
What if I am ill during exam week?
The College cannot offer alternative dates for candidates who are unwell. If you are on sick leave or limited duties you must give your force examinations officer a certificate of fitness from your force medical examiner (or equivalent) at the time of registration, even to sit at home. Sickness before or during the exam is not accepted as an unscheduled incident appeal.
If I fail the March 2027 sergeants' exam, when can I resit?
The next sergeants' sitting is 5 to 7 October 2027, with registration from Tuesday 3 August to 6pm Thursday 9 September 2027. There is no national limit on resits, but your force may set one. Results for March arrive by 8 April, which leaves about six months before the October exam.
How long is a 2027 pass valid?
Five years less one day from the date of taking the exam. The handbook's table of deadlines does not yet list the 2027 sittings. On the pattern it uses for earlier sittings, a March 2027 pass would need the final stage of step three completed by 17 March 2032; check the table once the College adds 2027.
Do the SIPP legal tests run on the same dates?
Yes. The College's exam hub says that for forces trialling the SIPP legal test, those events take place at the same time as the NPPF exams. SIPP is a separate promotion process being trialled in some forces, with its own shorter legal knowledge test.
Sources and how we checked them
Every factual claim on this page was written from the sources below, read on 4 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.
- College of Policing: Sergeants' and inspectors' NPPF step two legal exams (exam hub) — 2026 and 2027 exam dates and registration windows; SIPP legal tests on the same dates; links to results and subject breakdowns. The main site blocked our reader, so we read the same page on the College's production mirror on 4 October 2026 (accessed 4 October 2026)
- College of Policing: NPPF step two legal examinations candidate handbook (web version, updated 10 September 2026) — 2027 exam dates and 8am to 8pm window; eligibility at the exam date; step one form; force closing dates; reasonable adjustments, career breaks, maternity and paternity deadlines; 2027 Manuals edition; withdrawals and charging; sickness; results dates; validity table; unscheduled incident deadlines (accessed 4 October 2026)
- College of Policing: NPPF step two legal examinations candidate handbook 2027 (PDF, September 2026) — same dates as the web version; Appendix A syllabus by Manuals volume, including chapter 1.8 Weapons for the sergeants' exam only (accessed 4 October 2026)
- College of Policing: NPPF step two legal examinations candidate handbook 2026 (PDF, September 2025) — 2026 edition of the Manuals for 2026 sittings; results by Thursday 29 October 2026 (October sergeants) and Thursday 26 November 2026 (November inspectors); checked 4 October 2026 (accessed 4 October 2026)
- College of Policing: Results and analysis overview, NPPF sergeants' step two legal exam, March 2026 (PDF) — 1,882 of 3,215 candidates successful (58.5%) at a 55% cut score (accessed 4 October 2026)
- College of Policing: Results and analysis overview, NPPF inspectors' step two legal exam, May 2026 (PDF) — 644 of 1,739 candidates successful (37.0%) at a 65% cut score (accessed 4 October 2026)
- Wildy & Sons: Blackstone's Police Manuals 2027: Three Volume Pack (ISBN 9780197918104) — bookseller listing: published August 2026 by Oxford University Press, £89.00, checked 4 October 2026. The publisher's own page did not load for our reader (accessed 4 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: UK bank holidays (England and Wales) — bank holidays falling in the 2027 run-in periods, used in the countdown tables (accessed 4 October 2026)
On this topic elsewhere
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Disclaimer
PolicePay.co.uk is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or produced by the College of Policing or Oxford University Press (Blackstone's). Exam rules, dates, syllabus editions and prices change, so check the College of Policing's current candidate handbook and exam pages before you register or buy. Practice material on this site is original and is not real exam content. Details apply to England and Wales unless stated. Details are as checked on 4 October 2026.