The Diplomatic Security Service Physical Readiness Test Guide
PHYSICAL READINESS TEST (PRT) OVERVIEW
Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Special Agents (SA) must be committed to maintaining a high level of physical fitness throughout their careers to meet the challenging demands of the job. The DSS Physical Readiness Test (PRT) is a physical fitness test administered to DSS special agents, special agent candidates, special agent applicants, and Clarke DS Fellowship Alternates and Fellows, to assess the participant’s physical fitness as it pertains to safe and effective execution of special agent duties. The Physical Readiness Test and Standards are subject to revision at any time by the U.S. Department of State.
Disclaimer: It is recommended you consult a licensed medical provider before beginning any exercise program, dietary supplement regiment, or modifying your existing diet. The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) assumes no responsibility or liability for injuries that may occur during exercise for or while completing the DSS Physical Readiness Test (PRT).
The PRT consists of three events designed to test muscular endurance and aerobic capacity. The events shall be conducted in the following order, with a five-minute rest period between events:
First Event: Maximum Push-ups in two minutes
Second Event: Maximum Sit-ups in two minutes
Third Event: 1.5-mile timed run
Each event must be performed exactly according to strict protocols. Results of each event will be normalized and ranked according to age and gender. Participants must achieve a score of “satisfactory” or better in each event of the PRT to pass.
As part of the pre-employment process, applicants will be invited to take the PRT after successfully obtaining all clearances and passing the Suitability Review Panel. Applicants are given a choice of 2 test dates at the DSS Domestic Field or Resident Office or U.S. Embassy or Consulate closest to the applicant’s location. Applicants should arrive at their testing location ready to perform the PRT. They will be given five minutes to warm up, after which time the test will commence. The three events will be performed in order with a five-minute rest period between events. Applicants must achieve a “satisfactory” score or higher in each of the three events to pass the PRT.
If an applicant does not pass the PRT on the first attempt, they will be given one additional opportunity to pass, after a 60-day waiting period. If the applicant does not pass the PRT on the second attempt, their candidacy will be terminated.
Agent candidates must take and pass the PRT during the Basic Special Agent Course (BSAC) at the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC). If an agent candidate fails to pass this PRT, their employment will be terminated.
All active duty DSS Special Agents must take the PRT every four months for the duration of their career.
EVENT 1: PUSH-UPS
The first event of the PRT is push-ups, which evaluates upper body muscular strength and endurance. Participants will complete as many push-ups as possible in two minutes.
Push-ups will be performed as follows:
- Participants begin in the “front-leaning rest” position, with their palms or fists placed on the floor directly beneath or no wider than shoulder width. Both of each participant’s feet shall be together, touching each other, on the ground.
- Participants’ neck, back, buttocks, and legs are straight from head to heels and must remain so throughout the test. Participants’ hands and feet shall remain in contact with the ground.
- To begin the test, the Proctor will use the command “On your mark. Get set. Go.” to signal participants to start. Proctor will start the clock on “Go” and will call out 15-second time intervals until two minutes have elapsed.
- At the command of “Go,” participants lower their entire body as a single unit by bending the elbows until the chest / chin makes contact with the proctor’s fist. The minimum height of the proctor’s fist is no less than three inches. Male participants touch their chest to the proctor’s fist. Female participants touch their chin to the proctor’s fist.
- Immediately upon making contact with the proctor’s fist, participants return to the starting position by extending their elbows and raising their body as a single unit until the arms are fully extended at lock-out.
- One repetition is counted each time the arms are fully extended after touching the proctor’s fist.
- Once the test has begun, participants may rest only in the front-leaning rest position with arms extended. Participants may briefly move into a downward dog position to stretch but must return completely to the front-leaning rest position before resuming movement.
- Push-ups are repeated as many times as possible in two minutes. Proctors will monitor for correct form and count correctly performed push-ups out loud. Incorrect push-ups shall not be counted.
- Proctor will conclude the test by counting down the last three seconds out loud and issuing the command to stop in the following manner: “3,2,1, Time, Stop.”
The test will terminate under any of the following conditions:
- After the passage of two minutes.
- If the participant touches the ground with any part of the body other than their hands and feet.
- If the participant raises one or both hands or feet off the ground.
- If the participant rotates the body to the left or right.
EVENT 2: SIT-UPS
The second event of the PRT is sit-ups, which evaluates abdominal strength and endurance. Participants will complete as many sit-ups as possible in two minutes.
Sit-ups are performed as follows:
- Participants start by lying flat on their backs with knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Participants’ heels will be positioned so that the knees are bent 90 degrees. The buttocks will always remain in contact with the ground during the test.
- Participants’ arms are folded across the chest, with the arms touching each other and the bottom arm in contact with the chest. Participants’ hands will touch the upper chest or shoulders.
- The primary proctor shall anchor their participant’s feet to the floor/ground by sitting upon the feet of the participant.
- To begin the test, the proctor will use the command “On your mark. Get set. Go.” to signal participants to begin. The proctor will start the clock on “Go” and will call out 15-second time intervals until two minutes have elapsed.
- At the command of “Go,” participants shall curl their bodies up and touch their elbows to the bottom of their thighs. The participant must keep their hands in contact with their chest, shoulders, or upper arms at all times.
- After touching the elbows to the bottom of the thighs, participants will lie back, touching the bottom edge of the shoulder blades to the floor/ground. Participants may touch their shoulders to the floor/ground without penalty.
- One repetition shall be counted each time the participant touches their thighs with their elbows after making contact with the floor/ground with the lower back.
- Participants may rest in the down position with their back on the floor/ground. There is no limit to length of rest other than the time limit of the test itself.
- Sit-ups are repeated as many times as possible in two minutes. Primary proctors will monitor participants for correct form and count correctly performed sit-ups out loud. Incorrectly performed sit-ups shall not be counted.
- Proctor will conclude the test by counting down the last three seconds out loud and issuing the command to stop in the following manner: “3,2,1, Time, Stop.”
The test will terminate under any of the following conditions:
- After the passage of two minutes.
- If the participant lowers their legs.
- If the participant raises their feet off the ground or floor.
EVENT 3: 1.5 MILE RUN
The third and final event of the PRT is a timed 1.5 mile run which measures the aerobic power of the cardiovascular system. The 1.5 mile run may be completed on a track, outdoor course, or treadmill.
The 1.5 Mile Run shall be conducted on a track or outdoor course as follows:
- Participants shall stand at the designated start line.
- To begin the test, the proctor will use the command “On your mark. Get set. Go.” The proctor will start the stopwatch on “Go” and will call out lap or split times depending on the course.
- At the command of “Go,” participants shall begin running, and complete the prescribed 1.5-mile course.
- Time is recorded to the nearest second with a stopwatch.
The 1.5 Mile Run shall be conducted on a treadmill as follows:
- The participants straddle the treadmill belt with treadmill inclination set to 1.0 percent.
- To begin the test, the proctor will use the command “On your mark. Get set. Go.” to signal participants to start. The proctor will start the stopwatch on “Go” and will call out time intervals every .25 mile until the test is completed.
- At the command of “Go,” participants shall start the treadmill at their desired speed, and will run 1.5 miles.
- Treadmill speed may be adjusted by the participant anytime during the test. Only a participant may adjust treadmill speed unless there is a threat to the health of the participant.
- Time is recorded to the nearest second with a stopwatch.
- Touching the treadmill bar with fingertips or open palm to recover balance is acceptable.
The test will terminate under any of the following conditions:
- After the participants complete the 1.5-mile course or elapsed treadmill distance.
- If participants support their body weight using their arms, hands, torso, or any other object. (Touching the treadmill bar with fingertips or open palm to recover balance is acceptable.)
- If the proctor determines a risk to the health or safety of a participant exists.
- If the participants change the treadmill inclination from 1.0 percent.
Physical Readiness Test Minimum Satisfactory Passing Scores
Minimum PRT Standards
At Sea Level (< 5000')
| Males | 2min Push-Ups | 2min Sit-Ups | 1.5 Mile Run |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-24 | 42 | 50 | 13:15 |
| 25-29 | 38 | 47 | 13:45 |
| 30-34 | 35 | 44 | 14:15 |
| 35-39 | 33 | 40 | 14:45 |
| 40-44 | 29 | 37 | 15:15 |
| 45-49 | 25 | 33 | 15:45 |
| 50-54 | 23 | 30 | 16:15 |
| 55-59 | 12 | 28 | 16:51 |
| 60-64 | 10 | 22 | 18:20 |
| 65+ | 6 | 13 | 19:47 |
| Females | 2min Push-Ups | 2min Sit-Ups | 1.5 Mile Run |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-24 | 17 | 50 | 15:15 |
| 25-29 | 15 | 47 | 15:45 |
| 30-34 | 13 | 44 | 16:15 |
| 35-39 | 11 | 40 | 16:38 |
| 40-44 | 9 | 37 | 17:00 |
| 45-49 | 7 | 33 | 17:08 |
| 50-54 | 5 | 30 | 17:15 |
| 55-59 | 3 | 28 | 18:18 |
| 60-64 | 3 | 22 | 19:25 |
| 65+ | 2 | 13 | 20:31 |
Minimum PRT Standards
Above Sea Level (> 5000′)
| Males | 2min Push-Ups | 2min Sit-Ups | 1.5 Mile Run |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-24 | 42 | 50 | 14:25 |
| 25-29 | 38 | 47 | 14:58 |
| 30-34 | 35 | 44 | 15:30 |
| 35-39 | 33 | 40 | 16:05 |
| 40-44 | 29 | 37 | 16:40 |
| 45-49 | 25 | 33 | 17:13 |
| 50-54 | 23 | 30 | 17:45 |
| 55-59 | 12 | 28 | 18:32 |
| 60-64 | 10 | 22 | 20:10 |
| 65+ | 6 | 13 | 21:46 |
| Females | 2min Push-Ups | 2min Sit-Ups | 1.5 Mile Run |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-24 | 17 | 50 | 16:40 |
| 25-29 | 15 | 47 | 17:13 |
| 30-34 | 13 | 44 | 17:45 |
| 35-39 | 11 | 40 | 18:08 |
| 40-44 | 9 | 37 | 18:30 |
| 45-49 | 7 | 33 | 18:40 |
| 50-54 | 5 | 30 | 18:50 |
| 55-59 | 3 | 28 | 20:08 |
| 60-64 | 3 | 22 | 21:22 |
| 65+ | 2 | 13 | 22:34 |