2026 Statewide Police Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain Exams

Please find the key dates for the promotional exams and the listing of participating departments.

Key Dates

Application Opening: June 1, 2026
Application Deadline: July 7, 2026
Experience/Education (E&E) Application Period: August 24, 2026 - September 21, 2026
Notice to Appear for Exam: August 31, 2026
Examination Date: September 14, 2026
Score Release Date: TBD
Experience & Education (E&E) Last Day to Appeal: TBD
Eligible List Establishment Date: TBD

Written Examination Fee: $150
Location: Various sites across the Commonwealth
Eligibility: This is a departmental promotional exam. Please refer to the exam poster/application for specific information.  Eligibility has already been reviewed and determined based on the original examination date of September 14, 2026

Police Departments Participating in the 2026 Promotional Exams

Note: Departments are listed on the specific poster or application for which they are participating in. Please locate the correct application that contains your department.

Definitions
1YP = 1 year of eligibility required in the eligible title
3YP = 3 years of eligibility required in the eligible title

Police Sergeant (1YP)
The examination weights are: 56% Technical Knowledge, 24% Situational Judgment and 20% Experience & Education.

Eligible Title: Police Officer
City/Town: 

Police Sergeant (3YP)
The examination weights are: 56% Technical Knowledge, 24% Situational Judgment and 20% Experience & Education.

Eligible Title: Police Officer
City/Town: Cambridge

Police Lieutenant (1YP)
The examination weights are: 52% Technical Knowledge, 28% Situational Judgment and 20% Experience & Education.

Eligible Title: Sergeant
City/Town: Cambridge, Holden, Ludlow, Malden

Police Lieutenant (1YP-454510)
The examination weights are: 29.25% Technical Knowledge, 15.75% Situational Judgment, 45% Assesment Center and 10% Experience & Education.

Eligible Title: Sergeant
City/Town: Danvers

Police Captain (1YP)
The examination weights are: 48% Technical Knowledge, 32% Situational Judgment and 20% Experience & Education.

Eligible Title: Lieutenant
City/Town: Malden

Next steps

1. Read texts on the reading list.

   2026 Police Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain Reading Lists

2. Apply for the exam beginning: June 1, 2026
3. Application Deadline: July 7, 2026

4. Notice to Appear for Examination: September 14, 2026

   Two weeks before the examination date you will receive a notice to appear by email.  The notice will tell you the location and the time to appear for your examination.  Please check your junk or spam mail folder for the e-mail before contacting this office.

5. Experience & Education (E&E) Application Deadline: September 21, 2026

   Promotional exam candidates are required to file their E&E Claims; It is a mandatory exam component and will result in a failing score on the E&E component if the claim is not completed.  Supporting documentation will be accepted up to seven calendar days following the exam date by email: [e-mail]

6. Score Release Date: TBD

   You will receive your examination result by email.

7. Experience & Education (E&E) Last Day to Appeal: TBD
   Before filing an appeal regarding your E&E claim, please ensure that your submitted documentation supports the information referenced on your E&E claim.
8. Eligible List Establishment Date: TBD
   When the eligible list is established, you will be able to view your rank.

Note

Please make sure your current email address is associated with your Civil Service online account.  For instructions on how to make changes to your account, click hereHow to update Your Account Contact Information. All notices are sent by email. Please check your junk or spam mail folder for the email before contacting this office. You are also able to view all email notices sent to you from our office by logging into your Civil Service account and viewing your inbox.

Date published:	March 16, 2026
Last updated:	March 24, 2026