Frequently Asked Questions
- Must I reside in New York or New Jersey to be eligible to participate in the written examination process?
No.
- Do I need to possess a valid New York State or New Jersey State driver's license to participate in the written examination process?
You must possess a valid driver's license from your state of residence at the time of appointment to the police academy training program. This does not need to be a NY/NJ license.
- Must I have prior police experience to apply for the Port Authority Police Officer Position?
No. Prior police experience is not a requirement to become a Port Authority Police Officer.
- Am I able to be a PAPD Police Officer if I was convicted of a felony?
No. A felony conviction makes you ineligible.
- It is past the time identified for the random selection and written testing process I haven’t heard anything about my PAPD Police Officer Application. Did I miss an email or notification or does that mean I was not randomly selected?
The progression of the Covid19 pandemic since the launch of the 2020 PAPD Police Officer application process has necessitated that we re-evaluate our original timeline for the evaluation process. While our original timeline called for the random selection process to take place on April 6, it has not yet happened as we consider how to proceed with the process under current and projected conditions. All valid applicants will receive notification of their status (i.e., randomly selected or not randomly selected) once the random selection has taken place.
- What do I need to do if I previously applied to the Police Officer position but have not been randomly selected to take the written test?
The Police Officer applicant pool that was formed after the 2017 Police Officer recruitment is now decertified as we will be forming a new candidate pool in 2020. If you applied to the Police Officer recruitment in 2017 you will have an opportunity to reapply as will be accepting applications to be randomly selected to take the written test during our open application period from March 16 - April 5th 2020. Please continue to monitor PAPDrecruit.com and your email inbox for updates.
- How often will the Port Authority open up applications to test for the Port Authority Police Officer position?
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey will be accepting applications to be randomly selected to take the written test during our open application period from March 16 - April 5th 2020. Please continue to monitor PAPDrecruit.com and your email inbox for updates.
- What will I do if I am claiming a fee exemption and what documentation do I need to provide if I am claiming a fee exemption?
If you are claiming a fee exemption, you will be asked to provide documentation of your situation, which should include one of the following:
- General Assistance - Please provide a copy of your ID card and documentation on letterhead from the social service agency in your state, dated within the past month.
- Public Assistance in the form of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)/Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance - Please provide a copy of your ID card and documentation on letterhead from the social service agency in your state, dated within the past month.
- Eligible for Medicaid, or receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Please provide a copy of your latest annual awards letter and a copy of your ID card that shows your Medicaid number.
- Certified Job Training Partnership Act/Workforce Investment Act/WorkFirst NJ Act eligible through a state or local social service agency - Please provide a copy of your ID card and documentation on letterhead from the social service agency in your state, dated within the past month.
- Veteran / Military - Please provide a copy of your DD214, which must show an honorably discharge.
- Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran - Please provide a copy of your spouses DD214, showing a honorably discharge and a disablility code (if applicable), Marriage License, Death Certificate (if applicable)
- When and where will The Port Authority Police Officer Written Examination be administered?
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has partnered with Performance Assessment Network (PAN), a leader in computer-based test administration, to administer the PAPD Police Officer examination. You will be able to select from available PAN testing center in New York or New Jersey in which you wish to take the examination.
- I am having problems with the application/registration system.
Contact PSI at [email protected] and you should get a response within 24 hours.
- Why does the Port Authority do a random selection vs. a Rank ordered List?
Rather than test all applicants for a limited number of Academy openings, we randomly select a smaller number of candidates to participate in the evaluation process. Those who qualify on the process will have a chance at placement into the next Police Academy. Those not randomly selected who continue to meet eligibility requirements can reapply in subsequent recruitments.
- What are my chances of getting randomly selected?
You would have as good a chance as any other applicant given the process is truly a random selection.
- If I am not randomly selected to proceed in the process, do I get my Application fee refunded?
No. All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- How many people will be randomly selected?
At this time, we anticipate approximately 1,100 candidates are expected to be chosen randomly for the 120th Police Academy Class. This is subject to change.
- How/when will I be notified if I am randomly selected?
You will receive an email shortly after the end of the application period.
- I received an email/letter inviting me to participate in the 120" Police Academy Process. However, I am over the age of 35?
If you are over 35, and are not a U.S. military veteran, or the spouse of a disabled or deceased U.S. military veteran, then you are not eligible.
- Are current law enforcement officers over the age of 35 eligible?
No. We only offer age credit for U.S. military service.
- By when do I need to have the 60 credits, 2 years active U.S. military veteran, or proof of spouse of disabled or deceased U.S. military veteran?
After you pass the PPT, you will be invited to event #1 of the background process, which typically happens begins around 30 days after the Eligible List is PPT has been administered.
- Is there a fee waiver for Veterans?
Yes – For those who follow the payment waiver procedures and submit the required documentation (DD214) within the required timeframe.
- When will the written test be given and where?
A random selection process, monitored by the Office of the Inspector General, is scheduled to take place shortly after the application closes to determine who is eligible to move forward with the selection process.
Our original plan was to hold the primary written testing period for those selected to move forward from April 7 – April 14, with limited testing availability from April 15 – May 3. We are monitoring the situation with the Coronavirus pandemic closely and are evaluating the timing for the written test now.
The test will be administered at computer-based testing centers in New York and New Jersey. If you are randomly selected, we suggest immediately registering/scheduling for the written exam.
- I am unavailable during the written testing period. Can I get a make-up?
Only those on military duty are eligible for a written test make-up with accompanying documentation (DD214)
- What is the pass point for the written test?
The pass point will be determined after the test period has been concluded and the test data analyzed.
- How/when will I be notified of the written test results?
You will receive an email shortly after the testing period ends.
- I did not receive my written test results
Check your email - including junk and spam.
- Given the coronavirus pandemic, what precautions are being taken for the written test?
We will continue to monitor public health recommendations related to the Coronavirus and make decisions consistent with those recommendations. Should the evaluation timeline change, we will update our website to reflect so.
- I cannot produce an official transcript because I have a balance owed to my school – what should I do?
You will need to pay your bill with your school and fix your status. You will need to show us proof that you applied for your transcript so that we know we will be receiving it.
- Can I be deferred because I am still in school?
No, we do not offer school deferrals. If you choose to opt out, your name will be removed from the list.
- If I'm deferred to the 121st Police Academy class will I be starting the entire process over?
No. The step you reached last (e.g., medical/psychological) is where you will pick up.
- If I pass all phases of this process, am I guaranteed a spot in the 120th Police Academy class?
No. There is a limit on the number of recruits who can enter the 120th Police Academy class. If this limit is reached, you may be deferred to the 121st Police Academy class.
- If hired, where can I be assigned to work? Can I choose my location?
While your location preference will be taken into consideration, rank based on Academy performance and Agency need, primarily determine Command Assignment.
- When is the start date of the Academy?
Our original plan was for the Police Academy to start in April 2021. Should the timeframe for the evaluation process shift back due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the start date of the Academy would likely shift back also.
