The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office currently offers P.O.S.T. Certified Basic Academies.

The Academy is approximately 24 weeks in length and consists of 956 hours of training. Class instruction is generally held either Monday – Thursday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM or Tuesday-Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with some weekend and night sessions. Upon successful completion, recruits receive a Certificate of Completion for a P.O.S.T. Basic Course, which can be used to apply for employment with most law enforcement agencies within the state of California.

Testing and Selection Process

PELLETB Exam

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office accepts T-Scores of 42 or higher.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Academy accepts T-Scores from PELLETB tests administered by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office or taken through other law enforcement agencies in California. To apply for the Deputy Sheriff Recruit position, you must have taken the PELLETB within one (1) year of the application date. To apply for the Non-Affiliate Recruit position, you must have taken the PELLETB within two (2) years of the Academy start date. If you have a qualifying T-Score of 42 or higher from agency other than the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, you may send a copy of your official T-Score notification to recruiting@sacsheriff.com to be considered.

For information about FREE PELLETB Workshops and Webinars, go to:

PELLET B testing is offered monthly. Applicants may only take the PELLETB once every 31 days.

Physical Ability Test

Physical Ability Testing takes place several times throughout the year. Candidates who apply for the Deputy Sheriff Recruit position through the Sacramento County Employment Office, and who receive a ranking of 1, 2 or 3, will also receive an invitation to participate in the Physical Ability Test via email.

Candidates must pass the Physical Ability Test within 6 months of the start of the Academy to which they apply.

PELLET B testing is offered monthly. Applicants may only take the PELLETB once every 31 days.

Physical Ability Practice

Pre-Employment Questionnaires will be provided to all applicants who pass the Physical Ability Test and must be completed and returned to staff prior to leaving the exam site.

Physical Ability Practice on Thursday, September 14th is cancelled.

First Wednesday of every month from:
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Second Thursday of each month from:
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

PELLETB Testing Days from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. PELLETB testing dates are listed on the Eventbrite Events Calendar.

You do not need to register to participate in Physical Ability Test practice session. You may show up at any time during the session, but please be aware that the physical ability field closes promptly at the scheduled end of the session. You must sign a waiver of liability prior to practicing.

Practice sessions are held at the Sacramento Sheriff’s Training Academy, which is located at:

1000 River Walk Way
Carmichael, CA 95608

Pre-Employment Questionnaires

Pre-Employment Questionnaires will be provided to all applicants who pass the Physical Ability Test and must be completed and returned to staff prior to leaving the exam site.

The most-desirable applicants, based on this process, will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Candidates will be notified of their selection status by email.

NOTE: Every attempt has been made to update the information contained herein. However, there are always unforeseen testing/selection related process changes that occur. For that reason, we encourage all applicants to contact staff directly at recruiting@sacsheriff.com before attending listed test dates, traveling great distances for listed test dates, and/or to verify application and testing deadlines.