BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)
This survey of 49 U.S. states found that the majority do not require physical fitness standards for police recruits or active-duty officers. Entry and graduation testing are inconsistent, and 88% of states have no ongoing standard for officers once on the job. Instructor qualifications, injury tracking, and training safety protocols are also inconsistent or missing in most states.
Purpose of the Study
To document the current state-level minimum physical fitness requirements mandated by Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commissions in the U.S., including:
- Fitness tests required for academy entry and graduation
- Physical training program structure and scaling
- Instructor qualifications
- Injury and performance data tracking
- Training safety plans
- Minimum fitness standards for working officers
- Whether states are actively reviewing or updating their fitness policies
Subjects
The survey was completed by official representatives of each state’s POST Commission—agencies responsible for enforcing state-level mandates for law enforcement hiring and training. Forty-nine out of fifty states (98%) responded. Responses reflected only state-mandated minimum standards, not additional requirements that may be set by individual departments or academies.
Methods
- Survey consisted of 10 structured questions, designed to be completed in under 10 minutes
- Questions focused on entry/exit fitness testing, training requirements, instructor certification, injury and fitness data tracking, safety plans, and policy development activity
- Responses were collected between January and May 2023 using QualtricsXM
- Percentages reflect response counts out of 49 states, with occasional exceptions due to skipped questions (noted in figures)
- Note: One state did not respond to the question on fitness standards for active-duty officers
Key Findings
1. Entry Fitness Standards
- 19 states (39%) do not require a physical fitness test for academy entry
- 14 states (29%) use the same standard for all recruits, regardless of age or gender
- 15 states (31%) adjust standards based on age, gender, or both
- Entry testing policies vary widely in presence and structure
2. Academy Graduation Fitness Standards
- 19 states (39%) do not require a fitness test for academy graduation
- 17 states (35%) use age- and gender-neutral graduation standards
- 12 states (24%) scale graduation standards by age, gender, or both
- Most states lack a consistent benchmark for physical readiness at the point of certification
3. Physical Fitness Requirements for Working Officers
- 43 states (88%) do not require ongoing physical fitness standards for active-duty officers
- 4 states (8%) enforce such standards
- 1 state (2%) did not respond to this question
- Most states do not regulate fitness past academy graduation
4. Recruit Training Requirements
- 23 states (47%) require all recruits to follow the same physical training program
- 12 states (24%) allow training to be scaled based on individual ability
- 14 states (29%) have no statewide physical training requirement
- Many states use a one-size-fits-all model, while others leave programming to individual academies
5. Fitness Instructor Qualifications
- 22 states (45%) require physical training instructors to hold a formal certification or qualification
- 27 states (55%) have no such requirement
- In most states, instructors are not required to have formal education in exercise science or conditioning
6. Fitness and Injury Data Tracking
- 18 states (38%) do not track fitness performance data
- 27 states (55%) do not track injuries during physical training
- Data systems for assessing training effectiveness and safety are missing in most jurisdictions
7. Safety Plans for Training
- 29 states (60%) do not require a formal safety plan for academy physical training
- Risk management procedures are often left to local discretion or absent entirely
8. Fitness Policy Development
- 13 states (27%) have an active work group addressing physical readiness standards
- 36 states (73%) have no formal review or update process in place
Conclusion
This study reveals major gaps in physical readiness policy across the U.S. law enforcement training pipeline. Most states do not require fitness testing at any stage—entry, graduation, or active-duty service—and fail to enforce standards for instructors, safety, or data tracking. Only four states currently require active-duty officers to meet ongoing fitness standards. While some states have work groups focused on reform, the majority are not actively improving their approach. These findings point to a widespread lack of accountability for physical readiness in a profession that demands it.
Bibliography
Lockie, R.G., & Dulla, J.M. (2025). A Descriptive Analysis of the Current State of Peace Officer Standards and Training Physical Fitness Requirements across the USA. International Journal of Exercise Science, 18(8), 543–560. https://doi.org/10.70252/WQSL5192
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