Border Patrol Agents have very physically demanding jobs. A number of strenuous activities are performed each day including pursuing and apprehending suspects, heavy lifting, climbing, and jumping. It is not uncommon for a day to be full of swimming, walking, and running long distances. To ensure that potential Agents are able to meet the physical requirements of the job, they are given a medical exam along with a fitness exam.

The medical exam, in most cases, is directly followed by the fitness test. While it is at the same time and location as the medical exam, it is a completely separate requirement for employment. If you pass the medical exam but fail any part of the fitness test, you will not be considered for employment. If you do happen to fail the fitness test, however, you are welcome to reapply at a later date, as long as you meet the fitness requirements at that time.

What to Bring

Comfortable clothes should be worn when going in to perform the fitness test. This can be your regular workout clothes, such as a tee shirt, shorts, or a sweat suit. Athletic shoes with good support are also recommended.

Water bottles or other drinks are also welcome. This is optional to bring, but it is not supplied by the test site. If you have a medical condition that may hinder your ability to complete the test, you must also bring any applicable information provided by your treating physician.

Requirements of the Fitness Test

The fitness test is made up of three different parts, and each part is timed. The parts of the test, in the order they will be administered, are push-ups, sit-ups, and a five minute cardiovascular step test. A short practice time is allowed before the test, and you will be allowed to rest for three minutes between each test.

  • Push-Ups
    To pass the first part of the fitness test, you must be able to do 20 push-ups in sixty seconds. To count, these must be proper form push-ups, according to the US Border Patrol. This means that your hands should be roughly shoulder length apart, your feet should be close together, and your body should be straight. Any push-ups that are performed with your feet too far apart, your back sagging, or your buttocks raised will not count. Also, your knees must not touch the ground during this test; if they do, the test will end, and you will fail.

    You must start in the “up” position. The test administrator will then place a foam block directly underneath your sternum. This block will be eight inches long by four inches wide, and your sternum must touch it each time you go down for the push-up to count.

    When you hear “go,” the test has begun. One complete push-up is dropping down to touch the block with your sternum and pushing back up, while keeping your body straight. Repeat as many as you can in the time allotted. If you must rest during this test, do so in the “up” position. The test will end when you complete twenty push-ups, when you hear “time,” when you aren’t able to do anymore push-ups, or if your knees touch the ground.

  • Sit-Ups
    To pass the second part of the fitness test, you must be able to do 25 proper form sit-ups, according to the US Border Patrol. You must first lay on your back with your knees at a 90 degree angle, about 18 inches apart. Your fingers must be straight behind your head with your palms cupping or touching your ears.

    For this test, the administrator will aid you by holding your feet. When you hear “go,” the test has begun. Your goal is to do at least 25 sit-ups in sixty seconds. The administrator will count each correct and complete sit-up. One complete sit up requires you to use your abdominal muscles to pull yourself up so that your elbows touch your upper thighs or knees. When your shoulder blades touch the ground, this completes one sit-up.

    The test ends when you hear the word “time” or you complete 25 sit-ups in the allotted time. The test will also end if you stay with your back on the floor for more than two seconds. If you do get stuck in the “down” position, immediately pull yourself up with your hands. While this sit-up will not count, you will not fail if you continue and complete the rest of the test.

  • Five Minute Cardiovascular Step Test
    Before the step test, you will be allowed to practice stepping up and down on the 14 inch bench used during the test. There will be an audio tape to assist you, and the instructor will also assist you. At the start of the actual test, the instructor will move to a position in front of you.

    You will stand in front of the bench after the practice session and before the test. The audio tape will then start again and instruct you to start the test by marching in place. You will then be instructed to step up onto the bench and back onto the floor. For example, you will step up with your left foot then up with your right foot; you will then step down with your left foot then down with your right foot. This pattern, known as a stepping cadence, will repeat for five minutes.

    You will fail this test if you do not step for the whole five minutes. Missing two stepping cadences in a row, or six cadences throughout the entire test will also qualify as a failure. During this test, you are not allowed to push on your thighs or any other part of your leg to help you step.