Pre-Employment Psychological Screenings

A pre-employment psychological screening is a standard step in the hiring process for public safety positions and takes place after a conditional offer of employment. This evaluation, guided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), helps determine whether a candidate is psychologically suited for the responsibilities of a public safety role. Screenings are available either in person or remotely via Zoom or Cisco WebEx, based on what’s most convenient for the candidate.

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The screening includes three main parts: psychological testing, a clinical interview, and a review of background history. During the testing phase, candidates complete standardized psychological assessments that provide insight into personality traits and screen for mental health conditions that could impact job performance. The clinical interview covers key areas such as drug and alcohol use, relationship and family history, education, and employment background. 

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This psychological evaluation is part of the post-offer stage in a typical public safety hiring process, which also includes a medical exam. Earlier pre-offer steps may include a written civil service exam, physical agility test, oral interview, background investigation, and polygraph examination.

For more detailed information, you can review the IACP Guidelines for Pre-Employment Psychological Evaluations.