You will not be allowed to use ANY electronic devices, including cell phones or smart watches, while in the Assessment Center. You will be allowed to use electronics when you are outside of the Assessment Center (for example, when you are on your lunch break). You will be allowed to take non-smart watches into your testing area, but stopwatches or smart watches are not allowed; the assessors will time you when required. You can read printed materials while on breaks that you spend in the Assessment Center, so feel free to bring printed books, magazines, notes, etc.

No, we do not provide earplugs. Candidates are free to bring and use their own.

Any items that you bring with you must fit in a container no larger than a backpack. All items must be able to pass through an x-ray machine. There is no place to store luggage or items that cannot be x-rayed. There is a secure room in which candidates can put store their small bag and hang up coats.

Candidates may not use their own writing materials, nor can they take much with them into their assessment exercises. We will provide the resources you need to take the assessment. You can take the following items into your assessment exercises: medication, lip balm, glasses, breath mints/hard candy, tissue, earplugs. The Program Assistant may ask to see these items before you are permitted to have them in the testing areas. You cannot take purses or bags with you into the assessment exercises; you will be asked to leave them in a secure location in the reception area.

Signing the NDA means that candidates are not allowed to discuss the specifics of the assessment with others at any point during or after the Assessment. While you may share general observations about the process, you may not share specific testing material or questions as the material is restricted property of the US government, and disclosure within or outside of the Assessment Center is prohibited. A breach of the Non-Disclosure Agreement may result in the termination of candidacy.

No. Candidates who pass the Foreign Service Officer Assessment (FSOA) will be asked to complete the required online security forms through e-QIP to begin their security clearance process. Successful candidates will receive detailed instructions on how to access e-QIP after passing the OA.

Currently, our policy is to allow candidates to take their medications into the testing area if necessary. There are also sufficient breaks in the day to take care of medical needs. If you have notable medical needs to which you will need to attend throughout the testing day, we urge you to inform us of these medical issues before the day of your assessment. You may need to contact ReasonableAccommodations@state.gov if you believe your medical needs warrant some kind of special accommodation. The Program Assistants may ask to see any items you take into the testing area.

A lactation room is available at the Assessment Center, and all candidates receive sufficient break periods that lactation is possible. Please inform the Program Assistant at the start of the assessment day.

Please e-mail ReasonableAccommodations@state.gov at least three weeks before your scheduled Foreign Service Officer or Specialist  Assessment and provide us with your contact information, a brief description of your disability, and the accommodation requested. We will contact you within the following week.

All candidates who qualify to take a Foreign Service Officer  Assessment (FSOA) through the FSOT process are entitled to one FSOA per FSOT candidacy. Candidates must wait approximately 12 months between FSOT applications. Those candidates who qualify to take an FSOA through processes other than the FSOT may take the FSOA a second time, but must wait six months between Officer Assessments.