Frequently Asked Questions

Which Test Should I Take?

Department

Police Department

Position

Police Officer (Sworn Law Enforcement)

Required Test

Police Officer (Law Enforcement) Exam
County Sheriff’s Office
Corrections Officer in the Jail
Corrections/Jail Officer Exam
County Sheriff’s Office
Road Patrol Deputy (Sworn Law Enforcement)
Road Patrol Deputy (Law Enforcement) Exam
Fire Department
Firefighter or Firefighter/Paramedic
Firefighter Exam
**If you do not see the test you need to take on the Test Schedule, or if you do not see the department you want to apply to under Select Agencies, be sure the Testing System drop-down menu at the top of your profile (You Are Viewing) displays the correct state and department type for which you are applying.
If you would like to change the default Testing System for your profile at any time, you may change the default setting for your profile on the Personal Profile page (left side menu).

Testing Questions

What is the cost of the test?
The cost of the test is $75. You must pay this fee each time you take a test.

How do I sign up for a test?
Log into your profile. If you have not yet created a profile, go to the Candidate Registration page and create a free profile. Once you are logged in, click the Test Schedule on the left side of the page and select a test. Your payment reserves your seat for the test.

Can I pay for my test over the phone or in person?
No, you must pay online through the website. Your payment reserves your seat for the test.

How long are test scores valid for?
• Law Enforcement (Police Officer/Road Patrol Deputy): One (1) year from the test date.
• Corrections/Jail Officer (Michigan only): Three (3) years from the test date.
• Corrections/Jail Officer (all other states): One (1) year from the test date.
• Firefighter: One (1) year from the test date.

Is the Law Enforcement (Police Officer/Road Patrol Deputy) test the same as the Corrections Officer test?
No, they are two different tests. To qualify for a sworn Police Officer or Road Patrol Deputy position for a participating Police Department or Sheriff’s Office, you must take the Law Enforcement test. To qualify for a Corrections position with a Sheriff’s Office to work in the jail, you must take the Corrections/Jail Officer test.

How many times can I take a test?
Each test can be taken two (2) times within a 12-month period (365 days). If you have already taken a test twice within 12 months, you must wait one (1) year from the first time you took it. This only applies to tests for the same position. For example, if you are testing for both Law Enforcement and Corrections/Jail Officer, you can take each of these tests twice within the same 12-month period.

How long will it take to get my score?
Test scores are posted to your Empco profile 24 hours after taking the exam.

How do I get my test score?
Your test score will be posted to your Empco profile. When you log in to your profile, your results will be on your Candidate Home page under Test Scores. Your test score is only available on the website. Test results are not sent by mail or through email. Certificates or paper copies of test results are not provided for Empco testing.

Can I call Empco to find out my test score?
We do not give test scores over the phone. You must log in to your profile and view your results on your Candidate Home page under Test Scores. If you do not see your test score posted on your profile 24 hours after testing, contact Empco.

I took the test and failed. When can I retake the test?
If you have only tested once, you can retake the test right away. There is no mandatory wait time between tests.

If you have already taken a test twice within 12 months, you must wait one (1) year from the first time you took the test. You can only have two (2) test attempts for each type of test on your record within a 12-month time period.

For those testing for Corrections/Jail Officer in Michigan, you may take the test an unlimited number of times. This ONLY applies to candidates for Corrections/Jail Officer positions in MICHIGAN.

I took the test and I failed. Can I see what I got wrong or how I failed?
We do not permit the review of individual test questions or give a breakdown of the sections. You may, however, submit a request to have your test re-scored for accuracy purposes. If you would like to submit a request to have your test re-scored, send your request by email to info@empco.net. You must include your name, which test you took, the date you tested, and the location you tested at. You will receive a response through email. Please allow 2 business days for a response.

I took the Law Enforcement test and my results only show as FAILED. Can I see my score?
Any score below 70.00% on the Law Enforcement test is a failing score. Results are reported and displayed as FAILED if the minimum score of 70.00% is not reached. Any score below 70.00% is not reported and cannot be provided.

Is there a study guide for the test?
Yes, study guides are available. Empco does not sell the study guides directly. They are available for purchase through the I/O Solutions website.
Law Enforcement (Police Officer/Road Patrol Deputy) Study Guide
Corrections/Jail Officer Study Guide
Firefighter Study Guide

I am registered to take a test. What do I need to bring?
• Driver’s License
• Know your Social Security Number
• Confirmation Email (when you signed up for your test)

Your confirmation email can be printed or shown on your phone. If you did not receive a confirmation email when you signed up for your test, check your junk email. You may also show the scheduled test on your profile home page if you are asked to verify you are signed up for that test. Scrap paper will be provided for you at the test site to use during your test. The use of calculators is not permitted on any test.

When is the next test?
You must go to the website and check the test schedule. Each test site schedules their own testing, and the test schedule can change from day to day. Empco does not have control over the availability of testing at different test site locations.

The test site I would like to test at has a test going on today. Can I get into that test for today?
You cannot sign up for a test to take it the same day. You must register for a test online through the website at least one day before. If a test no longer shows on the test schedule, it is not available for you to register.

A test I want to sign up for has no seats available. Are they still able to fit me in?
When a test site lists the number of seats they have available for a test, this means they physically only have the resources to provide the test to that specific number of test takers. The test site cannot accommodate any additional test takers for that specific date and time.

The agency I would like to apply to is hiring, and there are no tests available to sign up for before their deadline. How can I get in to test by the agency’s deadline?
Contact the agency you are interested in testing for and let them know. They will contact nearby test sites to schedule more testing. If tests are filled and the deadline is quickly approaching, contact Empco as soon as possible so we can assist you.

The agency I am interested in applying to has just posted for a position. I need to take the test to qualify, but there are no tests scheduled anywhere near where I live. Do I have to travel hours away to one of these test sites to take the test?
Most likely, you do not need to travel very far from where you live. There may be test sites near you that have not scheduled tests recently. Some test sites schedule testing on an as-needed basis, or only when they are contacted by a hiring agency to schedule testing. Contact the agency that posted the position and let them know. They can contact nearby test sites to schedule tests.

Can I take the test online from my home computer?
The test cannot be taken online from home. When you go to a test site to take a test, it is a computer-based version of the written exam. Although the test is computer-based, it must be administered at an Empco-approved test site by a trained exam proctor to protect the security and integrity of our testing.

Do you offer a waiver for the fee of the test for military? Do you offer scholarships?
Participating agencies will grant a very limited number of scholarships to cover the fee for this test. Requests for a scholarship must be directed to scholarship@empco.net. The request must include: your name, the test you are looking to take (Law Enforcement (Police Officer/Road Patrol Deputy), Corrections/Jail Officer or Firefighter), the state you will be testing in, and a brief paragraph stating compelling reasons for your request. Requests must be received at least two (2) weeks prior to the test date you would like to sign up for. More information regarding scholarship requests is available on the Information page under Special Considerations.

How can I request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
To request an ADA accommodation, please email Empco at info@empco.net. and indicate your request for an ADA accommodation. Requests must be made at least three (3) weeks prior to your preferred test date to ensure accommodations can be made. If you are requesting an accommodation, please do not sign up for a test until you have received a response from Empco. Proof of ADA necessity is required.

I am registered to take a test and I need to reschedule. How can I reschedule?
To reschedule your upcoming test, you must cancel at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled test time. Log in to your profile and click Cancel next to your scheduled test. This will remove you from the test and give you a credit on your profile that may be used to sign up for a test at a different time. When you are ready to reschedule, return to the Test Schedule page and select any test. In the payment section, you will see the option to use your credit. Click Submit and your credit will apply. More information regarding rescheduling is available on the Information page under Canceling/Rescheduling Exams.
I am registered to take a test in less than 24 hours/later today. I cannot make it to my test and I need to reschedule. How can I reschedule?
Tests cannot be canceled less than 24 hours before the scheduled test time. If it is an emergency situation, call Empco as soon as possible.

I was registered to take a test and I arrived late. Can I reschedule my test?
You will have to sign up and pay again for a new test. Candidates are required to be on time for all tests. Arriving late for a test is disruptive to the other candidates who are testing. Candidates who are not present at the scheduled start time of a test will not be issued a credit or a refund. Regardless of whether the test is taken or not, Empco still incurs a cost for the test and administration.

I was registered to take a test that has already passed and I missed the test. Can I reschedule my test?
You will have to sign up and pay again for a new test. We have a 24-hour cancellation policy. Regardless of whether someone shows up or does not show up to test, Empco still incurs a cost for the test and administration.

I am applying for Local Corrections Officer in the state of Michigan. How do I sign up for the physical agility test?
Empco only administers the written test, we are not associated with any physical agility testing. For Corrections/Jail Officer positions in the state of Michigan, The Local Corrections Officer Physical Agility Test (LCOPAT) is administered through the MSCTC (Michigan Sheriffs Coordinating and Training Council). Visit the MSCTC website for more information at MISCTC.org.

What are the new standards/requirements for the Corrections/Jail Officer written exam in Michigan?
As of August 1st, 2021, the Michigan Sheriffs’ Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC) has changed the standards and requirements for the written test:
• The Corrections/Jail Officer exam is valid for three years from the date of completion.
• County Sheriffs’ Offices hiring for Corrections/Jail Officer determine the minimum written test score required to qualify for their individual agency.
• There are no retake restrictions for the Corrections/Jail Officer exam. Candidates may take and retake the written exam an unlimited number of
times.

Website and Profile Questions

What is my username?
Your username is your email address.

I do not remember my password. How can I reset my password?
Click the Reset Password button below the login area. Enter your email address and you will receive a link with further instructions to reset your password.

I entered my email address to reset my password, but I did not get the email. What should I do?
Make sure you check your junk email. If you still did not receive it, contact Empco so we can assist you.

I signed up for a test, but I never got a confirmation email. What should I do?
Make sure you check your junk email. If you still do not see it, you can print a copy of your Candidate Home page showing you are signed up for that test, or have it up on your phone to show at the test site if they ask. The confirmation is only needed if your name is not on the list at the test site, so just be able to show that you are signed up for that test.

The agency I applied to told me they did not receive my Empco score, or they cannot see my Empco score. What should I do?
Empco does not send test scores. When you have a passing test score and select an agency, your score becomes viewable to that agency, given that you match that agency’s qualifications and/or minimum hiring criteria. First, ensure you have selected the correct agency, and that your profile is up to date and meets the minimum qualifications for the position. If you still are unsure why you are not appearing for the agency, contact Empco so we can assist you.

An agency I am applying to is asking for a printed out copy of my test score. Can you send me a certificate with my score or proof that I tested?
Empco does not send test scores. We do not provide certificates. Test scores are only available to be viewed on the website. The system is designed for agencies to view test scores online through the website. If the agency is asking for a printed copy of your test score with an application, you can print your Candidate Home page showing your test score.

I am completing an online application for an agency, and they are requesting that I upload a certificate or proof that I completed the written exam through Empco. Can you send me a certificate with my score or proof that I tested?
Empco does not send test scores. We do not provide certificates. Test scores are only available to be viewed on the website. The system is designed for agencies to view test scores online through the website. If the online application process requires you to upload proof that you completed the Empco written exam, you can do a print screen/take a screen shot of your Candidate Home page showing your test score, save this file, and upload it to the application.

Scroll to top