Massachusetts Trial Court: Court Officer Exam Information

This guide includes information about the Trial Court Officer position and the Trial Court Officer entrance exam. Below you will find information about the exam process, schedule, and registration. In compliance with state law, to be eligible for Trial Court Officer positions, candidates must pass the Court Officer exam.

Table of Contents

Examination Information

The next Court Officer Entrance Exam is tentatively scheduled for January 2026, and we’re here to help you take the next step in your career!

Stay Informed: Be the first to know when registration opens and receive key updates about the exam. Submit your name and email, and we’ll notify you as soon as registration becomes available.

Prior Exams:  Individuals who passed the January 2025 Court Officer Entrance Exam are not required to retake the exam unless there are significant changes to the exam content. Eligibility will be verified before the opening of the 2026 exam registration period.

Please Note: All exam dates and locations are provisional and may be subject to change.

Exam Description

State law requires the passing of this exam to be eligible to apply for Court Officer positions. Individuals who do not take and pass this exam will be ineligible for Court Officer positions until another Court Officer exam is offered. Registrants must pay a $100 exam fee to sit for the exam. Fee waivers and reasonable accommodations are available for eligible candidates.

Individuals who pass the Court Officer Exam will receive information about the next steps in the hiring process for Court Officer positions. However, passing the exam does not guarantee an interview. Candidates who apply for a Court Officer position after successfully completing the exam must also meet the eligibility requirements to be considered for appointment. Please note that, due to the expected high volume of qualified applicants, those selected for interviews typically exceed the minimum qualifications.

Exam Overview

Registration: All registrations must be submitted by the specified deadlines and include the exam processing fee. You will receive a confirmation email once your registration is complete; your registration will not be considered finalized until you receive this confirmation. All further information regarding the exam will be sent to you via email. Please make sure to regularly check the email address you provided during registration for important updates about the upcoming exam.

Your exam processing fee of $100 must be paid by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024. If you do not register and pay by this deadline, your registration will not be processed, and you will not be eligible to take the exam. Candidates who successfully register will receive an email from info@iosolutions.com during the week of December 16, 2024, containing specific instructions for scheduling an appointment with Pearson VUE. Additionally, an orientation and preparation guide will be available immediately in the I/O Solutions dashboard at no extra cost for all confirmed exam registrants.

Pearson VUE: Approved applicants who are testing through Pearson will receive an email from IOS detailing the steps they need to take in order to schedule their test. This email will include an applicant’s candidate ID, which is required to log into the Pearson VUE system to register. If you are an approved applicant and you either lost or did not receive this email, please contact IOS at info@iosolutions.com, with “REACH Program Inquiry” as the subject.

Appointments made with Pearson VUE may be made up to 24 hours in advance and exam slots are subject to authorizations from IOS and availability. Applicants wishing to reschedule or cancel an arranged exam appointment are required to provide more than 24 hours’ notice prior to the appointment time.

Fee Waiver: The exam fee may be waived for registrants receiving certain state or federal public assistance or unemployment insurance. The Request for Waiver of the Examination Fee form can be found on Mass.gov. Please follow the instructions on the form for proper submission of the Fee Waiver Form and supporting documentation. All fee waiver forms must be scanned and emailed to exams@jud.state.ma.us by Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Reasonable Exam Accommodations: If you wish to request a reasonable accommodation for the exam due to a documented impairment, you must first successfully register online for the exam and then complete Massachusetts Trial Court Request for a Reasonable Accommodation for the 2025 Court Officer Exam. Additionally, you will need to submit a letter of support from a qualified professional outlining the specific accommodations you are requesting at the exam site. Please be sure to follow the instructions on the Exam Accommodation Form for the proper submission of both the form and the supporting documentation.

All Exam Accommodation Forms and supporting documentation must be emailed to exams@jud.state.ma.us by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted. If your documentation is not received by this deadline, we cannot guarantee that your accommodation will be granted. Please note that this information is collected solely to provide reasonable accommodations for the exams and will not be used for any other purposes.

Current Military Personnel: All military personnel with orders indicating unavailability due to service on the exam date must register for the exam, pay the processing fee, and submit a written request for a makeup exam, including a copy of your military orders.

Military related requests must be emailed to: exams@jud.state.ma.us by Friday, December 13, 2024.

When submitting your request, please include an email address, your daytime base phone number, and the name and phone number of a trusted friend or family member with whom you maintain regular contact. Note: Only candidates who have registered and submitted the exam processing fee or Fee Waiver Form by the registration deadline will be eligible for a military makeup exam.

No Makeup Exam: Except for current military personnel, no candidate is entitled to a makeup exam due to personal or professional conflicts on the testing date. Candidates are encouraged to review this policy before applying for the exam. If you have registered and then experience a personal emergency or unforeseen hardship, you may request a makeup exam by submitting a written request with verifiable documentation to exams@jud.state.ma.us. Note: Previously scheduled vacation plans do not qualify as a personal emergency, unforeseen hardship, or valid reason for a makeup exam.

Makeup exam requests must be submitted within 7 calendar days following the scheduled exam date. The Trial Court reserves the right to approve or deny your request and may require an additional exam processing fee upon approval.

Testing Policy Information: On test day, you will need to bring a valid form of identification. Please read through the following requirements to ensure that you supply proper identification. Applicants who arrive without proper identification will be unable to test.

Identification at the time of Exam:

  • All IDs required must be issued by the country in which the candidate is testing. If the candidate does not have the qualifying ID issued from the country they are testing in, a passport from their country of citizenship is required.
  • The first and last name that the candidate uses to register must match exactly the first and last name on the ID that is presented on test day.
  • Candidate is required to present one original (no photocopies), valid (unexpired) form of government issued ID that includes their name, photograph, and signature.

Acceptable forms of ID: passport, Driver’s License, Military ID (including spouse & dependents), Identification card (national/state/province identity card), Alien registration card (green card, permanent resident card, visa), Government Issues: local language ID (not in Roman Characters) – accepted only if issued from the country the candidate is testing in.

If you have any questions about the ID you are required to bring with you to the testing center for admittance for your exam, please contact Pearson VUE customer service.

Change of Personal Information: Candidates are responsible for keeping their contact information—such as address, email, and phone number—up to date with the Trial Court. Failing to maintain accurate records and notify us at exams@jud.state.ma.us may jeopardize your employment opportunities.

Refunds: There will be NO REFUNDS of the exam processing fee unless the Trial Court cancels the exam.

During the Trial Court review process or during the life of this candidate pool, candidates must make original supporting documentation available should the issue of authenticity arise with any submitted document copies.

Examples of Essential Duties for Court Officer

Please review the examples of essential duties and minimum requirements for this position before registering for the Court Officer Exam.

The court officer is responsible for maintaining order in and around court premises, protecting judges, jurors, witnesses, prisoners, court personnel, and the public who utilize Massachusetts Trial Court buildings and facilities. A Court Officer provides a visual security presence at court entrances/security screening stations and throughout the building; screens persons who wish to enter court buildings for weapons and other items of contraband; operates metal detectors and x-ray machines to perform the screening functions; monitors CCTV cameras to ensure safety of the public, court employees and prisoners; protects and safeguards courtrooms, grounds, buildings, employees, jurors, the public, and visitors on the courthouse premises.

The court officer is responsible for the care, custody, and control of all prisoners and persons taken into custody and held at a court facility. The court officer enforces all appropriate judicial orders and enforces all laws and ordinances as appropriate. The court officer is a member of an integrated statewide security team. The court officer works with fellow court officers, associate court officers, and the Security Department management team to identify and address all security concerns, including promptly dealing with disturbances, exercising arrest powers if warranted, responding to and managing medical emergencies, producing reports, and maintaining logs and records to ensure the safety and security of all Massachusetts Trial Court facilities.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

  • Provides safety and security to all persons that enter the courthouse and courthouse grounds.
  • Performs safety security checks of the perimeter of the building, courtrooms and any other rooms used throughout the day.
  • Exercises statutory arrest powers in or about the areas of the court or areas designated as the court.
  • Escorts detainees to and from lockup courtroom and other designated areas as needed.
  • Searches and processes detainees from various law enforcement agencies.
  • Works with the different departments within the Trial Courts.
  • May be assigned by the Security Department to perform court officer duties throughout the courthouse to include jury pool management.
  • Patrols and maintains order on courthouse grounds to protect all employees and visitors.
  • Works the screening station, x-ray and metal detectors at main entrance.
  • Monitors CCTV cameras, DSX and Security Systems to ensure safety of the public, court employees, and prisoners.
  • Prepares and submits incident reports, maintains security logs and performs equipment checks as directed.
  • Responds to all medical, building emergencies and disturbances.
  • Works inside a courtroom during trials, motions, arraignments, and pretrial activities.
  • Attends all court officer training programs required by the Trial Court and must successfully pass all training requirements.
  • Inputs weekly SSTA timesheet.
  • Monitors department issued e-mails and announcements.
  • Complies with and demonstrates an understanding of all Trial Court policies, Security Department policies and procedures, and all state and federal laws.
  • Maintain Health and Wellness standard.
  • Performs other duties as required.

Working Conditions

Work is frequently performed in office or similar indoor environments, as well as outdoor environments. Work requires frequent exposure to individuals who are hostile or irate and individuals with known violent backgrounds.

Physical Demands

This position requires heavy work:

Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.

For more information on the Security department and becoming a Trial Court Officer visit Trial Court Security Department.

Minimum Requirements

In addition to passing the exam, individuals must apply to a Trial Court job posting at Jobs with the Court System when posted (after the exam) and meet the following minimum requirements in order to be considered for appointment as a Court Officer:

Education and Experience

  • A High school diploma or an equivalent; an Associate’s degree or higher degree in criminal justice or a similar field of study is preferred;
  • 2 years prior experience in security, law enforcement, corrections, loss prevention, emergency medical services, direct care social services, or military service;
  • An Associate’s degree and one year of experience in criminal justice or a related field, may be substituted for the required experience;
  • A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation may substitute for required work experience.

Other Requirements After Passing the Exam and Prior to an Appointment

Physical Abilities Test (PAT): Candidates must demonstrate their ability to meet physical standards. Those who pass the written exam and meet the minimum requirements for the position may be invited to attend a Physical Abilities Test (PAT) session. Due to the expected high volume of applicants, not all candidates will be invited to the PAT simultaneously. Learn more about the PAT on Mass.gov.

Structured Oral Interview: Candidates must pass a Structured Oral Interview.

Psychological Assessment: Candidates may be asked to undergo a psychological assessment.

Consent to Criminal Record Check: Interviewed candidates selected for appointment will be required to complete the Consent to Criminal Record Check Form. Trial Court Policy (Section 4.100) may prohibit the employment of individuals with a felony conviction or a misdemeanor conviction resulting in incarceration if the end date of such incarceration is within the five-year period immediately preceding the date of application of employment. A Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check involving other offenses will not automatically disqualify the final candidate(s). Determinations of suitability based on CORI checks will be made consistent with this policy and any applicable law or regulations.

Medical: As a condition of employment, applicants for the Court Officer position must successfully pass a medical exam that includes a drug screening.

Background Investigation: Candidates will be subjected to a background investigation.

Federal I9 Form for Employment Eligibility: Pursuant to the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, after an offer of employment is made, selected candidates for appointment are required to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) and submit specific document(s) that establish identity and verify the right to work in the United States.

Massachusetts Residency Requirement: Pursuant to G.L. c. 478, sec. 328 of the Acts of 1978, no person who is not a resident of the Commonwealth shall serve as an officer in or an employee of the Judicial Branch; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to those persons serving as officers in or employees of the Judicial Branch prior to the effective date of c. 478, sec. 328.

Training: Candidates must satisfactorily complete the Court Officer Training Academy and are subject to a probationary period.

Exam Registration and Payment Information

Registration is closed.

Pearson VUE

Approved applicants who are testing through Pearson will receive an email from IOS detailing the steps they need to take in order to schedule their test. This email will include an applicant’s candidate ID, which is required to log into the Pearson VUE system to register. If you are an approved applicant and you either lost or did not receive this email, please contact IOS at info@iosolutions.com, with “REACH Program Inquiry” as the subject.

Appointments made with Pearson VUE may be made up to 24 hours in advance and exam slots are subject to authorizations from IOS and availability. Applicants wishing to reschedule or cancel an arranged exam appointment are required to provide more than 24 hours’ notice prior to the appointment time.

Contact Information

The Office of Court Management is overseeing the exam process for this position. For more details or any questions about the process, please contact:

Office of Court Management

Business Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., except holidays.

Email: exams@jud.state.ma.us

Telephone Number: 617-742-8575

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