The Path to Becoming an NYS Court Officer: From Over A 100K Applicants to 140 Trainees

The NYS court officers who staff the court rooms all over New York are an elite group, selected from thousands of applicants based on their mental aptitude, physical ability, and emotional temperament required for the role.

Over 100,000 applicants sign up for the NYC Court Officer Trainee exam—the first step of the rigorous screening process—which is only administered every 4 or 6 years.

Upon clearing the exam, the applicants must be given medical clearance from the department in order to participate in a physical abilities test. The test consists of a series of strenuous challenges which each prospective officer must pass. This includes a sit-up test, push-up test, an aerobic assessment and an agility run that tests the candidates’ anaerobic capacity. This physical exam is similar to the Beep-Test designed for college athletes.

In case a candidate fails the physical abilities test, they have the opportunity to give it another chance after 90 days. You can find details about the incorrect and correct push-up forms on the state court’s official website.

Candidates who pass the physical test undergo a vision exam, a background investigation and a psychological assessment. The psychological exam gives interviewers the ability to assess the candidate’s temperament, stress tolerance and resilience since they’re required to carry firearms on the job.

The investigator then compiles the results from the psychological evaluation and the background investigation and submits it to the board. These reports are kept completely anonymous by excluding the candidates’ information related to their age, race, gender and sexual orientation.

Individuals who clear the screening process enter the pool of final candidates that remain active for up to five years, and the department may appoint one when a vacancy opens up.

In case the evaluation board disqualifies a candidate, they’re given an opportunity to appeal their case before a separate appeals board.

Qualifying candidates are enrolled into the Court Officer Academy for 4-month long basic training program, and graduate the academy as NYS Court officers.

Court officers work closely with the courtroom staff as well as the general public to maintain order during court proceedings. They escort prisoners and jurors, and intervene during violent eruptions—all in all ensuring that people feel safe in courtrooms.

The registration process for the 2020 NYS Court Officer Trainee exam is from January 22, 2020 up until February 26, 2020. The applicants will then receive an email for the self-scheduled examination date between March 23, 2020 and April 3, 2020.

Start preparing for the exam today by signing up for our exam preparation classes. We prepare candidates through in-depth study guides and exam workshops.

Register today and become a New York State civil service worker!