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​Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT)

The ORPAT is a hybrid physical functioning test which assesses both physical fitness and the ability to complete sample work tasks. It is designed to evaluate entry-level police officer candidates on the essential physical capacities required to satisfactorily perform their day-to-day job duties.

Developed in 1998 and required for certification beginning in 2007, the ORPAT is based on data taken from research on the Canadian RCMP Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) and multiple Job Task Analysis (JTA's) for public safety officers in the state of Oregon.

The ORPAT consists of a 1235-foot (approximately 376 meters) obstacle course (Figure 1 depicts the components of the course), an 80-pound push-fall-pull complex, and a 165-pound dummy drag.

ORPAT_course.png

The ORPAT obstacle course requires six laps – each approximately 206 feet (63 meters) in length, including seven obstacles - before moving on to the push-pull complex (push-pull machine and controlled falls).

For certification purposes, the obstacle course and push-pull machine stations must be completed in 5 minutes 30 seconds. The time limit adds an additional speed component to assess cardiovascular function. Check with individual agencies for specific time requirements during the hiring process.

Check out our video of the ORPAT and the 2024 ORPAT Report for more information.

​​​Part One - Obstacle Course

Balance beam

Your time starts when you leave the start cone. The first obstacle is the balance beam, which you must cross in a controlled manner. If you fall off the beam, you must return to the start cone and attempt the beam again.

Five-foot jump

Going around the next cone, you turn right towards the second obstacle – a five-foot jump over an outline of a rectangle (or mat). If you launch or land inside the tape outline/on the mat, the first time will result a warning with no time penalty; each subsequent foul will result in a 5-second penalty.

Stair simulator

Turning left around the next cone, you encounter the stair simulator. You must run up one side of the stairs and down the other, hitting at least 2 steps on the way up and 2 steps on the way down. At the bottom of the stairs, you will go around the cone and return up and over the stairs. If any section of the stairs is not completed properly, that section must be repeated.

Crawl obstacle

At the base of the stairs, you will turn right and proceed onto the crawl obstacle. You will crawl under the obstacle without touching the top or sides of the obstacle. The first time you touch the top or sides of the obstacle will result in a warning with no time penalty; each subsequent foul will result in a 2-second penalty.

18-inch hurdle #1

Turning left around the next cone, you will come to the first of two identical obstacles – 18-inch high hurdles. You must jump over the center of each obstacle. The first time you knock over this obstacle will result in a warning; each subsequent foul will result in a 2-second penalty.

18-inch hurdle #2

Mere steps away, is the second ​of the 18-inch hurdles. Just as before, the first time you knock over this obstacle will result in a warning; each subsequent error will result in a 2-second penalty.

​​3-foot railing vault

Turning right around the next cone, you will then vault over a 3-foot high railing simulating a fence. You will perform a controlled landing on both feet on the opposite side of the vault obstacle, fall to your back or stomach (alternating on each lap), recover to your feet without mechanical assistance and proceed around the start cone before beginning the next lap. ​​

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Part Two - Push Pull ​Complex

After completing the obstacle course, you move directly to the mechanical push/pull station. There is no rest period between the obstacle course and push-pull complex.

Push Activity

Upon reaching the push-pull unit you will grasp the machine handles and push the machine arm in, raising the 80lbs off the floor. Keeping the arm pressed in, you will move the machine around to complete a 180-degree arc. An arc is only complete if you stay out of the red portion of the indicator on the machine arm the entire time. Six arcs must be completed before moving on to the falls.

Technique: Your chest may not touch the lever arm. Arms must remain bent at the elbow throughout the performance of the activity. Please see the ORPAT video for more information on effective push-pull technique.

Controlled Falls

Once the push activity is completed the weight is released, you will step away from the machine and complete four falls. For the first two falls, you will fall on your back and rise to a standing position. The third and fourth fall will be to your stomach, rising to a standing position after each fall. You cannot use the wall for assistance to return to the standing position.

Pull Activity

When the fourth fall is completed, you will get up and grasp the rope and pull the 80-lb weight off the floor. Maintaining the weight in this position, you will move the machine around to complete a 180-degree arc. Just as in the push portion, an arc is only complete if you stay out of the red​ portion of the indicator on the machine arm the entire time. Six arcs must be completed before your time is stopped.

Completion of the pull activity concludes the timed portion of the ORPAT.

Technique: You may not pull from the carabiner, or the machine handle itself. You must use the rope. Please see the ORPAT video for more information on effective push-pull technique


Part Three-“Dummy" Drag​

After completion of  the obstacle course and the push-pull portions of the test, you will be given a 60-second rest period. After which, you will complete the last part of the ORPAT - dragging a 165-lb dummy a distance of 25 feet in a controlled and continuous manner. Once motion is started, you cannot stop until you reach 25 feet. You will have three attempts to complete the task. Three unsuccessful trials will constitute a failure. Failing the dummy drag section will result in a failure of the ORPAT examination.

Technique: Officers must use the under the arm technique. Please see the ORPAT video​ for more information on an effective dummy drag.​

Video of Course​​​​​

In preparation for the Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT); individuals should take into consideration many factors that will influence their training. Among these are: current training routines; knowledge of training modalities; specific goals for training; and an understanding of the components of fitness. Individuals that currently exercise regularly and across all components of fitness should be prepared for the test with possibly some minor adjustments to their routine. Before beginning any exercise program, it is important to consult a physician about your current state of health and any problems that arise during your selected form of exercise.

​​Components of Fitness

​Flexibility – The ability to move joints through a full range of motion.

Cardiovascular Endurance – The ability to elevate the heart rate and maintain that elevated heart rate for extended periods of time.

Muscular Endurance – The ability of a muscle or muscle group to perform repeated movements for extended periods of time (sub-maximal).

Muscular Strength – The greatest amount of force a muscle or muscle group can exert in a single effort (maximal), not necessarily a single repetition.

Warm-Up ​and Dynamic Flexibility

​A good warm-up is key in developing flexibility and preventing injury. In order for muscles to activate they must be warm. To make this happen “Just Move.” No matter your preferred movement; jogging, back-pedaling, side shuffles, skipping, jumping rope, shadow boxing; “Just Move” for 3-5 minutes to warm-up before beginning dynamic stretching.

Dynamic stretching is preparing joints to move through a full range of motion. After the warm-up you should continue to move during dynamic stretching. The following are​ some examples of dynamic stretches that could be utilized during a warm-up.

  1. Walking Lunge – Step forward with a long stride, keeping the front knee over the ankle. Drop back knee toward the ground without touching the ground. Stand up and walk a couple of steps and repeat on the other leg.
  2. Knee Hug to a Lunge – Bring one knee to the chest; release into a lunge; walk a couple of steps and repeat on the other leg.
  3. Alternating Side Lunge – Long stride to the side. Squat down keeping the back leg straight and entire sole of the foot planted on the ground. Stand up and walk a couple of steps, face opposite direction and repeat on the other leg.
  4. Lunge with a Twist – Same as a walking lunge with the addition of an upper body rotation over the forward leg at the bottom of the lunge.
  5. Walking Toe Grab – Reach down and grab toes on same side, keeping leg straight. Stand up and walk a couple of steps and repeat on the other leg.
  6. Straight-Legged March – Keeping legs straight, kick one up in front of body as high as possible. Reach out with opposite side hand and try to touch your toes. Walk a couple of steps and repeat on other leg.
  7. Bent Knee Glute Sit – Keeping one leg straight, bend other at the knee across straight leg just above the knee. Put slight downward pressure on the knee while at the same time putting slight upward pressure at the heel. From this position sit down until you feel a stretch through the glutes. Stand up and walk a couple of steps and repeat on the other leg.
  8. ​Ankle Pick to a Toe Touch – Keeping one leg straight, bend other at the knee and behind the straight leg. Grab foot with opposite side hand. Bend over and touch toes with available hand. Walk a couple of steps and repeat on the other leg.

Training​

​The best means of training for the ORPAT is powerful, short-burst movements. H.I.T.T. style interval training will help to prepare you. Resistance training will help you to sustain some of the impact created by the obstacles. Movements requiring you to change elevation, go to the ground and get back up or navigating stairs will be very beneficial. Again, try to create programs that incorporate all components of fitness. If you have a preferred training modality (ex. running or resistance training) continue with it. Simply add exercises that correlate to the obstacles presented by the course.​

T​he Oregon Association Chiefs of Police (OACP) has deployed ten ORPAT Trailers throughout Oregon for use by police agencies.  You can find more information about these trailers on OACP's website at Oregon Physical Agility Testing (ORPAT) Program.​​​​​