The Medical Evaluation is thorough and it is essential that you be in excellent health with no conditions which would restrict your ability to safely perform the essential functions of the Police Officer job. Good physical condition is necessary, as training in the Academy is rigorous. Failure to be in excellent physical condition may delay or disrupt training and result in a dismissal from the Academy.
Each candidate will have their percent of body fat determined during the medical evaluation process. A candidate must not exceed the current body fat percentage standard. The current standard is:
Vision must be at least 20/30 in each eye with the following exceptions. If glasses are worn, vision must be at least 20/30 in each eye while wearing the glasses, and uncorrected distance vision must not exceed 20/70 in either eye and the better eye must be at least 20/40. If soft contact lenses are worn, they must have been worn for at least three months and vision must be at least 20/30 in each eye tested with the contacts in. If a LASIK procedure (refractive surgery) was performed, vision must be at least 20/30 in each eye. In addition, candidates must be able to accurately and quickly name colors and must be free from other visual impairments that would restrict the ability to perform law enforcement duties.
Candidates must be able to understand speech in noisy areas, understand whispered speech, and localize sounds. Specialized testing methods are used to determine hearing capability. Although hearing aid use is not automatically disqualifying, additional specialized tests will be administered to determine if the use of hearing aids will be permitted.
Once appointed to an LAPD academy class, candidates will be required to complete a drug test using a hair sample approximately three weeks prior to the Academy start date. The hair sample process involves the nurse cutting off approximately 1 inch width of hair which is sent to a special lab that tests hair for different drugs. If the candidate has a shaved head then hair may need to be collected from the arms or legs.
In accordance with Los Angeles City Ordinance 187134, candidates must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive an exemption and report their vaccination status prior to appointment by the Los Angeles Police Department/Los Angeles Fire Department. The ordinance is available at
COVID-19 OrdinanceIf you know you had prior treatment or a major injury, go to your doctor in advance and bring your records with you to the examination.
Submit release and waiver form, by scanning document and emailing to labackgrounds@lacity.org
