How to Join RCMP

Meeting Application Requirements

Be at least 18 years old to submit an application. While you can submit an application to the RCMP when you’re 18, and you can go through basic training right away, you won’t be able to work as an RCMP officer until you turn 19. While you can’t submit an application until you’re 18, you can start reviewing the application and making sure you have all the requirements before you’re 18. The minimum age for submitting an application is 18, but there is no maximum age.

Be a high school graduate (or equivalent) at a minimum. All RCMP applications must have at least a high school diploma or have passed a General Educational Development (GED) test in order to qualify. While you’re not required to have a college diploma or university degree when applying to the RCMP, additional education could be beneficial to your application and could qualify you for additional assignments when you graduate from basic training. Contact your local school board for more information on how to obtain a GED. To obtain an equivalency assessment if you graduated from a non-Canadian high school, contact the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) at https://www.cicic.ca/2/home.canada. This requirement recently changed; previously, the RCMP required all applicants to have a university degree. Having a college diploma or a university degree in a law enforcement-related discipline may put you at an advantage during basic training and may provide you with more assignment opportunities once you graduate.

Become fluent in either English or French before submitting an application. RCMP applicants only need to be fluent in one of the two official languages of Canada; they do not need to be bilingual. However, if English or French is not your first language, you may be required to demonstrate language comprehension during the hiring process. While it’s not necessary to be bilingual, being bilingual may put you at an advantage as you’ll have more assignment options across Canada. This requirement recently changed; previously the RCMP required all applicants to be bilingual.

Obtain your driver’s license and practice driving regularly. Ensure you’re driver’s license has no restrictions (for example, you must have a full license and not be in the graduated licensing system during training). As an RCMP cadet, you’ll go through special driving lessons and you’ll need to be confident in your driving abilities. If you don’t have a lot of driving experience, you may want to consider taking driving classes before submitting your application. Driving is a big part of what RCMP officers do on a daily basis. As such, you may be required to demonstrate your driving ability as part of the application process. RCMP officers also conduct patrols by bicycle. In addition to being a good driver, being an experienced bicyclist may provide you with additional assignment opportunities.

Ensure you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Permanent residents must have at least 10 years of consecutive Canadian residency before they can apply to the RCMP. Canadian citizens who don’t live in Canada can apply to the RCMP, but you’ll have to return to Canada for parts of the hiring process, at your own expense. All RCMP cadets will be required to have a security clearance. Any time spent outside of Canada will be reviewed (in detail) as part of the security clearance process. This requirement has recently changed; previously, the RCMP required that all applicants be Canadian citizens.

Prepare yourself for the physical requirements of basic training. As a cadet, you will be required to pass the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) within the first 2 weeks of training. The PARE is a physically challenging set of activities that you’ll need to be prepared for before you become a cadet. Make sure you’re in top physical shape before you start basic training; you must complete the first two stations of the PARE in 5 minutes and 30 seconds to stay in the program. The PARE consists of 3 stations. Station 1 is an obstacle course. Station 2 is a push/pull activity. Station 3 is a weight carry activity. You will have the opportunity for 1 retest within 3 days of your original test. Before graduation, you will be required to complete the first 2 stations within 4 minutes. Being in top physical condition, and practicing the PARE before basic training, may provide you with an advantage once you start basic training.

Have your vision tested by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. As part of your application (if you’re from one of the 10 provinces), you’ll be required to submit a RM Applicant Vision Examination Report - RCMP Form 2180. This form must be completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist who will test your vision for the minimum requirements of an RCMP officer. You can find the form at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/wam/media/1100/original/45a10704156a5b7e195581c6ede165f6.pdf. Minimum standards include corrected vision that is at least 6/6 (20/20) in one eye and 6/9 (20/30) in the other eye, and uncorrected vision that is at least 6/18 (20/60) in each eye or 6/12 (20/40) in one eye and at least 6/30 (20/100) in the other eye. You must also have at least 150 degrees continuous field of vision along the horizontal meridian and 20 degrees continuous above and below fixation, and you must be able to identify 17 of the 21 colour-vision plates.

Get your hearing tested by an audiologist. As part of the application (if you’re from one of the 10 provinces), you’ll be required to submit the RM Applicant Hearing Examination Report - RCMP Form 6509. This form must be completed by an audiologist who will test you for minimum hearing requirements. You can find the form at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/wam/media/2253/original/ba1d81d44366a50a849098c896eff623.pdf. You must have hearing loss no greater than 30 dB in your better ear in the 500-3000 Hz range, as well as hearing loss no greater than 30 dB in your worst ear in the 500-2900 Hz range and no more than 50 dB in your worst ear at the 3000 Hz range.

Completing Your Online Application

Find the RCMP officer job posting on the GC Jobs website. Go to the Government of Canada’s (GC) job posting website and select “Royal Canadian Mounted Police” in the “GC organizations” section. Scroll through the jobs listed until you find the one titled “RCMP Police Officer.” Click on this specific posting and then click on the Apply Online link to start the online application. You can find the GC’s job posting website at https://emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/applicant/page2440?fromMenu=true. There may be more than one RCMP-related organization in the drop-down “GC organizations” list; make sure you select the one specifically titled “Royal Canadian Mounted Police.” You will be able to search and view job postings without an account, but to finish an application you’ll be required to create an account or sign in to an existing account.

Create a new account on the GC Jobs website. To submit an application to the RCMP, you must have an account on the Government of Canada’s (GC) job website. If you already have an account, skip this step. If you do not have an account, you will need to create a new account when prompted. You will be required to accept the Privacy Statement and you will need to enter the following information: email address, password, hint question and answer, full name, date when you can start training, birthdate, gender, citizenship, address, and phone number. To finish the new account process, you’ll need to click on a URL in a confirmation email that will be sent to the email address you provided.

Login to the GC Jobs website and continue your online application. Once you’ve received the email confirmation that your account has been created, log into that new account. You will now be back at the RCMP online application. If you already have an account, you’ll find yourself at this same location once you’ve logged in. Click the “I confirm” checkbox, then click on each of the links with a red ‘x’ under the column titled “Requirements.” You will need to complete each section listed under Requirements. These sections include screening questions, work locations, and more. Once a section is complete, the red ‘x’ will change to a green checkmark.

Complete all the required sections of the online application. Follow the instructions and prompts on each webpage as you progress through the required sections. You will be required to submit your birthdate, a work location (which has only one option–Regina), an employment tenure (which also only has one option–Permanent Full Time), your education, your language proficiency, and employment equity info (if you want). Once everything is entered, click to submit the application. At the time of application, Regina is the only work location provided because this is where the 26-week training program will take place. You are not required to disclose employment equity information unless you want to. If you do disclose this info, you can select to do so for statistical purposes only or for your job application.

Going Through the Hiring Process

Write the RCMP entrance exam, if requested. If you do not have a Bachelor’s degree or a 2-year college diploma, and your initial application is successful, you will be asked to write an entrance exam. Speak with the recruiter who contacts you to set up the date, time, and location to write the 2-hour entrance exam. Prepare for the exam by reviewing the following website: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/preparatory-guide-rcmp-entrance-exam-rpab. You’ll need to obtain a mark of at least 3.2 out of 5.0 to continue in the hiring process. If you have a Bachelor's degree or college diploma, you will be asked to submit copies of your transcripts. The entrance exam is computer-based and is offered in a number of cities across Canada. In addition to preparing for the content of the entrance exam, review the preparatory guide website for tips on how to take the test. For example, the first part of the exam is all multiple choice questions and there is no penalty for incorrect answers. Therefore, guessing may be to your advantage if you’re unsure of the correct answer.

Obtain a first-aid and level C CPR certificate. All cadets must have an infant, child, and adult first-aid and level C CPR certificate that is valid throughout the 26-week training course. Sign up for and take the proper first aid and CPR course through the Red Cross or St. John’s Ambulance. If you already have a certificate, you may need to obtain a recertification if the expiry date is before the end of your potential training course. Most certifications are for 3 years, therefore, courses taken within a year of applying will likely still be valid for your training course. You will need to take these courses at your own expense. While first aid and level C CPR are the minimum requirements, organizations like the Red Cross and St. John’s Ambulance offer many more advanced courses. Taking such advanced courses may provide you with additional assignment opportunities after basic training.

Submit all required documentation and materials when asked. After you pass the entrance exam, or if you have a university degree or college diploma, you’ll be asked to submit additional forms and documents. Print, complete, and sign the 4 specific forms requested. Scan the 4 forms, plus your completed vision and hearing forms, plus the other documentation requested and upload all of these documents to the RCMP as instructed. The 4 forms you’ll need to complete are the Regular Member Applicant Questionnaire, the Suitability Screening Form, the Friends and Associates Suitability Screening, and the Acknowledgement of Professional Responsibilities in the RCMP. You will also need to scan the originals of each of the following items: birth certificate, citizenship or permanent resident card, social insurance number, marriage/divorce/separation certificates, passport-sized photos, high school transcripts, university or college transcripts, driver’s license, statement of driving record for 3 years, provincial health card, and a valid first-aid certificate.

Get immunizations and a TB screening before your health assessment. Make an appointment with your family doctor and ask them to ensure your following 3 immunizations are up-to-date: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis; measles, mumps, and rubella; and hep B. If you’ve never received any of these immunizations before, or you cannot remember when they were last received, ask your doctor to provide them. Also, ask your doctor to perform a TB screening on you. Bring documentation of both the immunization and TB screening to your medical screening. Ensure you bring the results of a two-step tuberculin skin test (including the date and signature of whoever read the results) to your medical screening. If the results of the skin test was positive at 10mm or greater, you will also need to bring a chest x-ray to the medical screening.

See an RCMP-designated physician for a health assessment. Once asked, you will need to make an appointment with a physician designated by the RCMP for a complete medical screening and psychological exams. Make sure to bring copies of your immunizations with you to the medical screening, as well as the results of your TB test. A recruiter will contact you to make the appointment and provide you with any additional information you’ll need to know in advance. While the cost of the exams are covered by the RCMP, you may be required to submit payment upfront and be reimbursed later.

Be prepared to complete security forms through the OLISS. Review the following two forms in advance and collect the information requested: Personnel Screening, Consent and Authorization and Security Clearance Form. These forms will require information about yourself (travel, employment, addresses) for the previous 10 years. You may also be required to submit several character references. Once requested, complete the forms through the Online Industrial Security Services portal. Due to the complexity of the forms, you’ll want to review them well in advance of needing to submit the online versions. That way you’ll have plenty of time to collect all the required information. These forms will be used to assess your background and ensure you qualify for the appropriate security clearance.

Attend a pre-employment polygraph to review your RMAQ. The pre-employment polygraph (PEP) is used to determine your suitability, reliability, honesty, and integrity. The examiner will review the answers you provided on your Regular Member Applicant Questionnaire (RMAQ). They’ll be looking to ensure you were honest and that you disclosed all the required information. Review your completed questionnaire before your PEP and arrive well-rested. Be prepared to be there for 4-5 hours. It is okay if you forgot to disclose information on your RMAQ, as long as you provide that additional information to the examiner during your appointment.

Wait while a field investigation and security clearance is conducted. Once you’ve reached this point of the application process, the RCMP will conduct an investigation into your background for the prior 10 years (based on the information you provided on OLISS). This is the final stage of the hiring process before you start training. If you pass this investigation, you will receive the appropriate security clearance. The RCMP will also investigate any time you spend outside of Canada for more than 6 months in the previous 10 years. Unfortunately, applicants with a criminal background may not be considered for a position within the RCMP. Therefore, it’s definitely to your advantage to stay above the law in the years leading up to your application.

Attend training in Regina as a cadet with 31 other successful applicants. Be prepared to spend 26 weeks at the training program in Regina, SK. You will be able to select between an English only or bilingual training program. You will be paid an allowance ($525 CAD per week) while you’re in training, however, your accommodation, meals, uniform, travel, and other training materials are provided. After training, you will spend 6 months in a Field Coaching Program. While you will be able to select a location where you’d like to be located after training, you will be required to take whatever posting you’re provided. Being as flexible as possible with regards to the location of an assignment will likely provide you with more opportunities after basic training.