Physical fitness requirements for border services officers: Testing overview

On this page

• Basic information about the 3-part test
• How the test works
  • Obstacle course
  • Push and pull machine
  • Weight carry

Basic information about the 3-part test

The CBSA uses the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) to assess your ability to perform physically demanding use of force training.

PARE results are valid for 18 months from the date of the test and must be kept up-to-date while you have an active application.

Schedule your PARE session at an approved physical fitness testing centre and pay the fee.

How the test works

The test involves 3 parts:

1. Obstacle course
2. Push and pull machine
3. Weight carry

You must complete the first 2 parts in 4 minutes and 45 seconds or less. You will then be given 2 minutes to recover before you begin the weight carry part of the test. You will be given a maximum of 3 attempts to complete the weight carry.

Obstacle course

This 340-metre (1,116 foot) course involves running 6 laps of the station with directional changes, jumps, stairs, hurdles, vaults, as well a controlled fall at the end of each lap.

Potential penalties

You will incur time penalties if you:

• do not fully clear the mat (5 seconds)
• knock down / improperly jump over the hurdle (2 seconds)

You will need to redo a portion of the test if you:

• fail to go around a marker/cone
• do not land in a controlled manner after the vault
• use the vault to lower themselves to the mat
• use the mat or the vault to raise themselves after the controlled fall
• improperly perform a controlled fall

The test will be terminated if you:

• cannot go over the vault
• do not follow the administrator's instructions on how to run up and down the stairs

The push and pull machine

At this station you will need to do 2 separate tasks on a push/pull machine, called arcs, as well as several controlled falls.

• Lift and push a 32-kilogram (70 pound) weight off the base of the machine while performing 6 180-degree arcs
• Lift and pull a 32-kilogram (70 pound) weight off the base of the machine while performing 6 180-degree arcs
• Perform 4 controlled falls (2 forwards and 2 backwards), in between each task

Potential penalties

You will need to redo an arc if you:

• drop the weight in the middle of an arc
• do not complete a full 180-degree arc
• push off the wall
• lock or brace their elbows during the push activity
• do not use the proper pull position

You will need to redo a fall if you:

• do not use the proper controlled fall technique
• are not properly positioned during the standing "ready" position
• do not tap the handle between falls
• use assistance to get up or down between falls

With the exception of dropping the weight or not completing an arc, you will be allowed a single warning before being penalized and asked to redo the task.

Once this part of the test is done, the timed portion of the evaluation is over.

Weight carry

You must start this activity within 2 minutes of completing the push/pull station.

At this station you will need to lift and carry a 36-kilogram (80 pound) bag over a 15 metre (50 foot) distance. This station is pass-fail and is not timed.

You can wrap your arms around the bag or grasp the excess material to lift it. The bag must be carried in a controlled manner in front of you and not over your shoulders or resting on your thighs while walking.

After completing the 15 metre (50 foot) distance, you must lower the bag in a controlled manner.

Potential penalties

You will be asked to repeat the task if you:

• are unable to lift the bag
• drop the bag during the carry
• do not carry the bag properly
• do not lower the bag properly at the end of the carry

You will be given a maximum of 3 attempts to complete this station.