If you are applying to a UK police force in 2026, the fitness test is one of the first practical hurdles you will face. The beep test — or bleep test as it is commonly called in policing contexts — is the standard cardiovascular assessment used across England and Wales.
The frustrating thing is that the required level is not the same everywhere. Different forces, different roles and recent changes to some standards mean that the target you are training towards depends entirely on which force you are applying to and what role you want.
This article breaks it down clearly.
The Standard Requirement
For most roles in most constabularies across England and Wales, the standard bleep test requirement is level 5.4. This means reaching level 5 and completing at least 4 shuttles at that level before dropping out. It is not a high bar in absolute terms — most reasonably active adults in their 20s and 30s should be able to reach it with a few weeks of specific preparation.
For context, level 5.4 corresponds to a running speed of approximately 10.5 km/h and a VO2 max estimate in the low 30s ml/kg/min. That puts it in the average to below average bracket for most age groups in the score tables.
The standard was designed to reflect the minimum aerobic fitness needed for general police duties, not elite fitness.
What Changed in 2024
West Yorkshire Police became notable for adjusting their standard requirement in April 2024. Their standard for serving officers was reduced from 5.4 to 3.7 — a significant reduction. New recruits in their first year of service are still required to meet the 5.4 standard.
This change was contentious within policing circles and generated considerable public discussion. The official position is that 3.7 represents the minimum fitness level for general patrol duties in that force. Officers in specialist roles continue to face higher requirements.
Whether other forces follow suit remains to be seen. At the time of writing, 5.4 remains the standard in most constabularies.
Specialist Role Requirements
If you are aiming for a specialist role, the requirements are substantially higher.
Public Order trained officers are required to reach level 6.3. This reflects the additional physical demands of public order policing — sustained exertion in protective equipment, restraint situations and crowd management.
Firearms officers must reach level 9.4. This is a genuinely demanding standard that puts you in the Good to Very Good bracket for most age groups. Reaching 9.4 requires a structured training programme and takes most people 8 to 12 weeks of specific preparation from a decent aerobic base.
Specialist Firearms Officers (SFO) face the highest standard: level 10.5. This puts you comfortably in the Very Good to Excellent bracket for 20 to 35 year olds. A small number of officers in their 50s are recorded as meeting this standard, which speaks to what is achievable with sustained training.
Standard Officer
Most constabularies in England and Wales.
Public Order
Public order trained officers.
Firearms Officer
Armed response roles. Structured prep required.
Specialist Firearms (SFO)
Highest police standard in England and Wales.
Police Scotland and PSNI
Police Scotland operates under different standards and uses a slightly different assessment format. If you are applying to Police Scotland, do not rely on the England and Wales figures — contact the force directly or check their current recruitment guidance.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland uses a different fitness assessment format that does not follow the same bleep test protocol. Check their specific requirements if you are applying there.
How to Prepare
If you are targeting the standard 5.4 requirement with no current fitness base, four to six weeks of beep test specific training should get you there comfortably. Start with the training guide on this site and focus on the first three weeks of the plan.
If you are targeting firearms or specialist firearms level — 9.4 or 10.5 — give yourself 10 to 12 weeks minimum and follow a structured progressive plan. These are not levels you reach through general fitness work alone. You need specific interval training at and above your current maximum.
The calculator on this site will show you where you currently stand and what your training target needs to be.