The Westchester County Department of Human Resources administers the civil service examinations for Correction Officer, Police Officer, Police Officer (Spanish Speaking), and Firefighter.
The eligible list resulting from the Correction Officer examination is used for the Westchester County Department of Correction. The Police Officer and Firefighter eligible lists will be used to fill vacancies in the Westchester County Department of Public Safety Services (Police only), and the Police and Fire Departments of the cities of Peekskill and Rye, and all the towns and villages within the county.
The cities of Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, White Plains and Yonkers are separate civil service agencies, and administer their own examinations independent of Westchester County.
The Westchester County Department of Human Resources administers the Police Officer examination used to fill vacancies in the Department of Public Safety Services, the cities of Peekskill and Rye and the towns and villages within the county. Police Officer exam is usually given once every four years.
Police Officer and Police Officer (Spanish speaking) examinations will be held on May 3, 2025. The deadline to file applications for these exams was February 24, 2025.
Candidates will be required to submit proof of residency when requested.
A Test Guide to the Police Officer examination “Entry Level Police Officer Series” is available on the New York State Department of Civil Service Web site. Download the test guide,or it is available in hard copy form and can be obtained at the Westchester County Department of Human Resources Office.
The cities of Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, White Plains and Yonkers each hold their own separate examination.
Police Officers are public officers and must meet all applicable provisions of the New York State Public Officers Law. Standards for Police Officer are established in accordance with section 58 of the New York State Civil Service Law and the New York State Public Officers Law.
The chart below summarizes the basic requirements for the police officer candidates at the time of examination and appointment:
| Requirement | Examination | Appointment |
|---|---|---|
| United States Citizenship | No | Yes |
| High School Diploma | Yes* | Yes |
| Current NYS Drivers License | No | Yes |
| Minimum Age | None | 20 |
| Maximum Age | None** | None |
| Residency Requirement | Yes | Yes |
In addition to the above, there are minimum qualifications that must be met which will be listed on the exam announcement. Candidates who pass the written exam will be required to pass psychological screening, medical and physical agility standards set by the Municipal Police Training Council in order to achieve a permanent appointment as a Police Officer.
*Applicants may be approved conditionally to take civil service examinations if the minimum educational requirement is met within 12 months from the examination date.
**Maximum Age Requirement for Participation in the Examination – Conditional Approvals: Candidates who meet all the minimum qualifications and pass this examination will have their names placed on the eligible list in the order of final scores. Candidates who exceed the maximum age requirement on the date of the written test as provided for in Section 58.1 of the Civil Service Law, may participate in this examination on a conditional basis. The names of conditionally qualified candidates will be restricted from certification pending any changes to the maximum age requirement. If the maximum age requirement is eliminated, these candidates will become eligible for certification.
Section 58.1 (a) requires that applicants not be more than thirty-five (35) years of age as of the date when the applicant takes the written examination.
CANDIDATE PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST: Candidates may defer the Police Officer Physical Fitness Test once. Additional deferment will result in the restriction from the eligible list.
Westchester County welcomes your interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement.
Find out more about police departments in Westchester County.
Westchester County Police Departments
The list below is in alphabetical order reading down the columns.
The Westchester County Department of Human Resources administers the civil service examination for firefighters that will be used to fill vacancies in the fire departments of the cities of Peekskill and Rye and those of the towns and villages and Special Fire Districts within the county. At this time, the Westchester County itself does not have a fire department.
The cities of Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, White Plains and Yonkers each hold their own firefighter examination.
The chart below summarizes the basic requirements for firefighter:
| Requirement | At Time of Examination | At Time of Appointment |
|---|---|---|
| United States Citizenship | No | No |
| High School Diploma | No | Yes |
| Current NYS Drivers License | No | Yes |
| Minimum Age | None | 18 |
| Maximum Age | None | None |
| Westchester County Legal Residency | 30 days prior to the examination date | Yes |
| New York State Legal Residency | Yes | Yes |
In addition to the above, there are medical and physical agility standards that must be met in order to achieve a permanent appointment as a Firefighter. The official announcement for Firefighter will detail the requirements necessary to complete the examination and appointment process.
Candidates for the firefighter examination are encouraged to read the Candidate Physical Ability Test: Orientation and Preparation Guide, and to view the Firefighter Physical Ability Test: Instruction Video. This exam is usually given once every four years and candidates have to wait until the beginning of next application filing period to apply. You may sign up to receive e-mail notifications when new examinations are announced.
CANDIDATE PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST (CPAT): Candidates may defer the Firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) once. Additional deferment will result in the restriction from the eligible list.
CANDIDATE PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST WAIVER POLICY: Candidates who have already passed the CPAT administered under IAFF and IAFC guidelines within the last 24 months, may be waived from taking the required CPAT again. Candidates seeking such a waiver must provide original documentation from the testing agency that shall include the CPAT date. Requests for waiver, and all supporting documentation, must be submitted to the Westchester County Department of Human Resources.
Westchester County Fire Departments
Learn more about the fire departments for which Westchester County administers examinations.
Town/Village of Harrison (no Web site available)
The Westchester County maintains a professional correctional facility including jail, penitentiary, and women's unit divisions. The position of Correction Officer is the entry level uniformed position for this department. Correction Officers are considered public officers and must meet all applicable requirements set forth in the New York State Public Officers Law.
The minimum requirements for examination and appointment are summarized in the following chart.
| Requirement | At Time of Examination | At Time of Appointment |
|---|---|---|
| United States Citizenship | No | Yes |
| High School Diploma | Yes | Yes |
| Current NYS Drivers License | No | Yes |
| Minimum Age | None | 21 |
| Maximum Age | None | None |
| Westchester County Legal Residency | 30 days prior to examine date | Yes |
| New York State Legal Residency | 30 days prior to examine date | Prior to appointment and throughout employment |
In addition to the above, candidate must meet medical, physical agility and psychological standards in order to achieve a permanent appointment as a Correction Officer. The Correction Officer exam was held on June 24, 2023. This exam is usually given once every four years and candidates have to wait until the beginning of next application filing period to apply. You may sign up to receive e-mail notifications when new examinations are announced.
Special residency requirement for Correction Officer exam
Candidates must be legal residents of Westchester County for at least one month prior to the examination. You will be required to submit proof of legal residency when requested. Candidates who cannot provide proof of Westchester County residency will be disqualified.
Learn more about the Department of Correction. Westchester County welcomes your interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement.