Massachusetts Trial Court Probation Officer Examination Information

In accordance with Massachusetts law, individuals must pass this exam to be eligible to apply for Probation Officer positions. Those who do not take or do not pass the exam will not be considered for Probation Officer roles until a future exam is offered.

A $100 exam fee is required at the time of registration. Fee waivers and Reasonable Accommodations are available for eligible candidates.

Candidates who pass the exam will receive further information regarding the next steps in the hiring process. Please note that passing the exam does not guarantee an interview. All applicants must meet the full eligibility requirements to be considered for appointment. Due to the high volume of qualified candidates, those selected for interviews typically exceed the minimum qualifications. 

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, August 29, 2025. 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 September 8, 2025, 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.org, 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 is available online. 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 Thursday, August 28, 2025. 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 Probation 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 kerlley.aime@jud.state.ma.us by Friday, August 29, 2025. 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, August 29, 2025.

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. 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

• 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 are NO REFUNDS of the exam processing fee unless the Trial Court cancels the exam.

Position Summary

Supervises probationers to ensure compliance with court orders and applicable probation standards as well as to enhance public safety. Conducts interviews with probationers and/or families. Maintains accurate case management records and prepares records for court. Presents information to the court such as indigency recommendations, compliance with conditions of probation/court orders, investigation reports, record checks, requests for detention, motions to modify conditions, and arguments and recommendations at violation of probation proceedings. Makes referrals to Community Justice Support Centers, social service agencies and programs and monitors compliance as required by MPS standards and policies.

• Oversees cases for individuals placed on probation supervision. Completes risk/need and other assessments;
• Performs community supervision, and makes contact with victims as needed;
• Ensures program compliance through verification of conditions of release or conditions of probation;
• Assists probationers in navigating the process of successfully complying with conditions;
• Completes dispute interventions and family service investigations;
• Makes referrals to social service agencies, Community Justice Support Centers, and programs to ensure compliance Prepares cases for court and addresses non-compliance issues;
• Administers drug screening, checks for test compliance, and completes updated records;
• Facilitates the skill development of probationers in order to achieve long term positive change;
• Performs other duties as required. 

There are no minimum education or job requirements to take the exam.  However, individuals must pass the exam and meet the following minimum job requirements to be considered for appointment as a Probation Officer at the time of application.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree; a concentration in human services, behavioral sciences, or criminal justice is preferred; and
• Two (2) years of related work experience.

Knowledge of:

• Modern office equipment and technology including computers and applicable software;
• Case Management Systems;
• MPS Policies and Standards and Trial Court Standards;
• Community resources and services.

Skill in:

• Organization and time management;
• Crisis management and conflict resolution.

Ability to:

• Establish effective working relationships with others;
• Prepare clear and accurate reports;
• Ability to conduct community supervision/field work;
• Maintain appropriate records;
• Maintain confidentiality of information;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Work independently and follow oral and written instructions;
• Ability to travel as needed to conduct community supervision/field work;
• Administer drug tests and installation of GPS equipment. 

Structured Oral Interview 

Candidates must pass a Statewide Structured Oral Interview.

Finger Printing 

In compliance with 28 C.F.R, the FBI CJIS Security Policy, and the MA CJIS User Agreement regarding access to confidential information, final candidate(s) will be required to undergo fingerprint-based background checks prior to initial hire and at least once every five years thereafter.

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 Probation Officer Academy and are subject to a probationary period.

To register and pay for the exam, please visit:

2025 Probation Officer Exam Registration 

This link will take you to I/O Solutions, the testing vendor processing payments for the Massachusetts Trial Court. Detailed payment instructions can be found in the “Purchasing Information” section on their website.

All registrations must be submitted by the posted deadline and include an exam processing fee. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email.

Your registration is not finalized until you receive the confirmation email. All additional information about the exam will be communicated via email, so please regularly check the email address you provided during registration. If you don’t see any emails, be sure to check your junk mail folder.

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.org, 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.

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 am - 4:30 pm, except holidays. 
Email: exams@jud.state.ma.us 
Telephone Number: (617) 742-8575