PNP Application Process - Police Lights in the background

How to Become a Police Officer in the Philippines - NaPolCom Exam, PNP CORES Online Application, RSP, PMDE

Novice police officers in the Philippines are among the best-paid entry-level jobs in the country. Not everyone, however, is fit to join the PNP. To become a member of our local men and women in blue, you must pass the eligibility exam, pass the physical, medical, and dental exams and you must not have been discharged from any government or AFP position. 

If you are planning to become a part of the PNP, read on because will talk about the complete process of starting your career as a police officer in the Philippines. 

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before you start exercising and studying for the exam, you first need to check if you are eligible to become a Police Officer in the Philippines. To be eligible, you must fulfill these requirements: 

  • Must be a Filipino citizen
  • PNP Age Limit: Not younger than 21 years old but not more than 30 years old
  • Bachelor’s Degree Holder
  • Male Height Requirement: At least 1.57 meters (5.1811 feet) in height for males*
  • Female Height Requirement: At least 1.52 (4.986 feet) meters for females*
  • You must not have been dismissed from the AFP
  • You must be eligible to hold a government position

*The height requirements may be waived if you are a member of a local indigenous person group. Go to your regional PNP Office to inquire. 

Step 2: NAPOLCOM Entrance Exam

The NAPOLCOM holds an annual entrance exam for all those interested in applying for a PNP post. This exam is equal to any level 2 eligibility exam in the Philippines. This means that if you are already a board, bar, or professional Civil Service exam passer, you may no longer need to take the NAPOLCOM exam. If you are in doubt, please inquire with the nearest PNP Regional Office. 

To pass the NAPOLCOM entrance exam, you will need an average of 70%.

Step 3: PNP CORES Online Application and Document Requirements

After passing the eligibility exam, you will need to submit an application online using the PNP Cores website. https://app.cores.prs.pnp.gov.ph/signup

On this website, you will be asked to enter your information and upload the required documents. At this point, you may want to prepare the following documents: 

1. Notarized CSC and PNP Personal Data Sheet (handwritten)

2. PSA-issued Birth Certificate of the Police Applicant and Family Documents for Issuance of Certificate of Declared Beneficiary.

  • Computerized Affidavit of Confirmation (For Married and Single)
  • PSA Issued Advisory on Marriage of PNP personnel (For Married) 
  • PSA Issued Advisory on Marriage of Spouse (For Married) 
  • PSA Issued Marriage Contract (For Married) 
  • PSA Issued Birth Certificate of Dependents (For Married and Single)
  • PSA Issued Certificate of Non-Marriage (CENOMAR) (For Single) 
  • Photocopy of valid ID with three (3) specimen signatures (For Married and Single)

3. Affidavit of Undertaking Regarding Incontestability of Declared Birth Date

4. Educational Background

  • College Diploma and Transcript of Record (TOR)
  • General Weighted Average (GWA) of TOR
  • Good Moral Character (from school last attended)

5. Eligibility (NAPOLCOM/Civil Service Exam/PRC Board Exam)

  • Report of Rating
  • PRC shall also attach the authenticated PRC License

6. Authenticated copies of the following clearances

  • National Police Clearance
  • Barangay Clearance
  • Mayor / ADHOC Committee Recommendation
  • Prosecutor/Fiscal Clearance
  • MTC Clearance
  • RTC Clearance
  • NBI Clearance

7. Service Record for previous employment in the government service if any (Original)

8. Recent Pictures

  • 1pc Colored whole body picture (JPEG) with white background
  • 1 pc Bust-size(JPEG) with white background
  • 2 pcs 2×2 colored with name tag (JPEG) with white background

9. Photocopy of Valid ID

10. Tax Identification Number (TIN)

11. Height waiver, if applicable

Make sure that the information you enter is accurate because the address location information you enter will determine the region where you will be assigned. 

Also, if your college course and PRC license are aligned with the needs of the PNP Regional Office, you may eligible to apply for a Lateral Entry Program for Technical Officers (LETO). Applicants who are accepted through the LETO will become commissioned officers upon appointment and they will have the lowest rank of Police Captain.

After completing your application on the PNP Cores website, you should receive an email containing instructions on what to do next and the application QR Code. 

Wait for the instructions on where you will undergo the Recruitment and Selection Process (RSP).

Step 4: The Police Recruitment and Selection Process (RSP) and Physical, Medical, and Dental Examination (PMDE)

The RSP is an event that all recruits need to go through to ensure that they are physically fit to perform their roles as a Police Officer in the Philippines. If you are not sure if you can pass the RSP, you can check your health before the event. 

What to Wear and Bring in the PNP RSP?

  1. Wear a white T-shirt with black shorts and white rubber shoes
  2. Bring at least 1 valid ID 
  3. Bring a printed copy of your QR Code and COVID Vaccination Card
  4. The regional Recruitment and Selection Services Office may request more documentary requirements

Here is the list of health metrics that you will go through in this process: 

A. BMI (Height and Weight): Between 18.5-26.5 BMI

B. Ear Nose Throat Exam (ENT)

C. Chest X-Ray PA view

D. Electrocardiogram (ECG) 

E. Urinalysis and Drug Test

F. Blood Chemistry Examination

G. Snellen Vision Test 

H. Color Perception Test

I. GPE or General Physical Exam

  • Push-ups – 25 for females and 35 for males under 1 minute
  • Sit-ups – 25 for females and 35 for males under 1 minute
  • 3km-run (under 19 minutes for males, and under 21 minutes for females)
  • Blood Pressure Exam
  • Dental Exam

For the physical exam, you must perform the required number of reps or running distance within the prescribed period. The PNP does not allow retakes. You must pass all the physical exam events on the first try. 

Depending on the local RSS, the ECG may be done on the spot or through a third-party facility. 

The RSS may let you know on the spot if you passed or failed the exam. If you pass, the next step is the oathtaking and the signing of the documents for your PNP appointment. The entry-level rank for the PNP non-commissioned officer (NCO) is the Patrolman/Patrolwoman. If you successfully go through via the LETO application, you automatically become Police Captain. Check here for the difference in the basic salary of these entry-level ranks.