The four stages for new constables
The College says almost all forces already used this process before it became a legal requirement through an amendment to the Police Regulations 2003. After the four stages come the fitness test, medical, vetting and references. Each force sets its own eligibility details (for example on driving licences, residency and tattoos), so read the force's recruitment pages too.
- **National application form.**
- **Online sifting tests** that assess judgement and behaviours.
- **Online assessment:** an interview, a written exercise and a briefing exercise.
- **Face-to-face interview** with the force you're applying to join.
What you're scored on: the CVF
The Competency and Values Framework (2024) has three values and six competencies. Values: **courage, respect and empathy, and public service**. Competencies: **we are emotionally aware, we take ownership, we collaborate, we support and inspire, we analyse critically, and we are innovative and open-minded**. Each competency has three levels; new constables are assessed at level 1 (practitioner).
Sift and assessment judgement questions reward responses that match these values: treating people with respect, taking responsibility, acting with courage when something is wrong, and putting the public first. Learn the framework before you practise.
Entry routes
Probation is three years on the PCDA and two years on the DHEP and PCEP. The government's 2025/26 award set constable starting pay at £31,163 from 1 September 2025, and a 3.5% award applies from 1 September 2026; check your force's current scale.
| Route | Length | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Police constable degree apprenticeship (PCDA) | 3 years, ends with a degree | Usually two A levels or an equivalent level 3 qualification |
| Degree holder entry programme (DHEP) | 2 years, graduate diploma | A degree in any subject |
| Police constable entry programme (PCEP) | 2 years, no qualification | Usually two A levels or equivalent; available since April 2024 |
| Professional policing degree (PPD) | Usually 3 years at university, self-funded | Then apply to a force and pass its recruitment |
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free Police Constable practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
Sergeants' and inspectors' exams (NPPF step two)
The national police promotion framework (NPPF) step two legal exams are single online papers: **150 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours**, on crime, evidence and procedure, and general police duties. Questions come only from the current edition of the Blackstone's Police Manuals (the 2027 edition for 2027 exams). Ten questions are removed at marking, so you're scored on 140.
The pass mark is **55% (77 of 140) for sergeants** and **65% (91 of 140) for inspectors**. Results and feedback reports come within three weeks. Sergeants' candidates must be substantive constables with two years' service and probation complete; inspectors' candidates must be substantive sergeants. You register through your force examinations officer.
| 2027 exam | Dates (8am to 8pm each day) | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Sergeants' (March) | 16 to 18 March | 18 January to 6pm 18 February |
| Inspectors' (May) | 11 to 13 May | 15 March to 6pm 15 April |
| Sergeants' (October) | 5 to 7 October | 3 August to 6pm 9 September |
| Inspectors' (November) | 2 to 4 November | 6 September to 6pm 4 October |
The National Investigators' Exam (NIE)
The NIE is phase 2 of the Professionalising Investigations Programme (PIP2), the route into detective work. It is a single online paper of **80 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours**, covering general principles, police powers and procedures; serious crime and other offences; property offences; and sexual offences. Ten questions are removed at marking, and the pass mark is **55.7% (39 of 70)**.
The syllabus is the current Blackstone's Police Investigators' Manual. The College says the exam does not test pure recall of tables, but where the manual refers to a PACE Codes of Practice paragraph you must know it. In 2026 the NIE ran in March, June, September and November.
How to prepare
- **Entry:** learn the CVF, practise judgement scenarios against it, prepare STAR examples for each competency, and practise a timed written exercise and a briefing exercise.
- **Promotion and NIE:** read the whole current manual, then practise applying the law to scenarios under time pressure: about 1 minute 12 seconds a question for NPPF, 1 minute 30 seconds for the NIE.
- Do the College's familiarisation exercise and system check before exam day.
- Only use the current edition of the manual: older editions may be out of date.
Frequently asked questions
Is the police recruitment process the same in every force?
In England and Wales, yes for the four core stages, since 17 March 2026. Forces still set their own eligibility details, fitness and medical arrangements and timings. Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own processes.
Is there a resit limit for the sergeants' exam?
There's no national limit on resits for the NPPF exams; any restriction is a local force decision.
Are Blackstone's Q&A books endorsed by the College?
No. The College endorses only the Blackstone's Police Manuals for the NPPF exams; other products, including Q&A books (and our practice questions), are not affiliated with the College of Policing.
Can a police staff call handler apply to be a constable?
Yes. Staff roles have their own recruitment, but you can apply to become a constable through the four-stage process like any other candidate.
Official sources
- College of Policing: police constable recruitment regulations change
- College of Policing: police constable entry routes
- College of Policing: competency and values framework
- College of Policing: NPPF step two candidate handbook
- College of Policing: NIE candidate handbook
- GOV.UK: 4.2% pay rise for police officers
Practice tests for these certifications
Police Constable (England and Wales)
Police constables patrol, respond to calls, investigate crime and safeguard vulnerable people, joining through a degree apprenticeship (PCDA), degree-holder programme (DHEP), the non-degree PC entry programme (PCEP) or after a pre-join policing degree.
Police Call Handler and Contact Officer (999 and 101)
Call handlers answer 999 emergency and 101 non-emergency calls and online reports, assess threat, harm and risk, record the information accurately and decide what response is needed, often while typing and talking at the same time.
Police Sergeant Promotion: NPPF Step Two Legal Exam
The sergeants' exam is step two of the National Police Promotion Framework: a 3-hour, 150-question legal knowledge test on crime, evidence and procedure, and general police duties (including road policing), taken online.
Police Inspector Promotion: NPPF Step Two Legal Exam
The inspectors' exam is step two of the National Police Promotion Framework for sergeants: the same 3-hour, 150-question legal paper format as the sergeants' exam, but with a higher pass mark of 65% and the rank's own blueprint, which leans towards the authorities and supervisory decisions an inspector makes.
Detective Constable: National Investigators' Exam (NIE)
The NIE is the legal knowledge exam that opens phase 2 of the Professionalising Investigations Programme (PIP2), the route to becoming an accredited detective or serious-crime investigator.
This guide is general information, checked November 2026, not legal advice. The recruiting organisation rules change; confirm with the recruiting organisation before you apply.
