Success on the CPCA police officer exam requires more than just general knowledge; it demands specific preparation for the CPCA test format. Our CPCA practice questions are designed to replicate the logic and difficulty of the real exam, ensuring you are ready for every section.

Candidates targeting this certification can strengthen their exam readiness with our PCA practice test 2026, which covers the key content areas and question formats tested in the official exam.

CPCA Exam at a Glance

What changed for CPCA in 2026

• Oct 29, 2026: Delivery changed to Online (previously All tests online).^[3]
• Oct 29, 2026: Eligibility changed to No minimum age to test; must be 21 to be hired (previously No minimum age to test; must be 21 to be hired by a Connecticut police department).^[2]
• Oct 29, 2026: Exam fee changed to $95 (previously $95 per exam (non-refundable)).^[2]
• Oct 29, 2026: Passing score changed to 70% (previously Above 70% to apply to departments; departments may set higher minimums).^[1]
• Oct 29, 2026: Renewal changed to Retake exam and pay $95 (previously Retake the exam and pay $95 again (no automatic renewal)).^[2]
• Oct 29, 2026: Retake fee changed to $95 per retake (previously Full $95 for each retake, even if your score hasn't expired).^[2]
• Oct 29, 2026: Retake policy changed to Retake at any time; higher score replaces lower score (previously Retake any time; the higher score replaces the lower one).^[2]
• Oct 29, 2026: Score release changed to Within 2–5 days (previously Within 2-5 days of the exam, in your PoliceApp account).^[4]
• Oct 29, 2026: Validity changed to 6 months (previously Score valid for six months).^[2]

According to Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, “In general a passing score is 70. This should be sufficient for a majority of the departments, but in some cases a department may require a higher score.”^[1]

Worked examples: how to reason through CPCA questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: A physician administers 2.5 mL of deoxycholic acid from a vial with a concentration of 10 mg/mL to reduce submental fat. The HCPCS code is J0591, which represents 'Injection, deoxycholic acid, 1 mg'. How many units of J0591 should be billed?

1. 2.5
2. 10
3. 3
4. 25

Answer: D. 25

Explanation:

D (25) is correct. J0591 is billed per 1 mg, so first turn the volume given into a dose. 2.5 mL of a 10 mg/mL solution is 2.5 × 10 = 25 mg, which is 25 units.

A (2.5) counts millilitres instead of milligrams, but the code descriptor is based on dose, not volume. B (10) is the vial's concentration, not the amount the patient received. C (3) rounds up the volume, so it makes the same unit mistake and adds a rounding error.

Rule to remember: units billed = total dose given ÷ the dose in the HCPCS descriptor. Always use the concentration to convert volume to dose before you count units.

Example 2

Question: What is the standard global surgery period for major surgical procedures under Medicare guidelines?

1. 10 days
2. 30 days
3. 60 days
4. 90 days

Answer: D. 90 days

Explanation:

D (90 days) is correct. Under Medicare global surgery rules, a major procedure has a 90-day global period. Routine follow-up visits during that period are covered by the surgical payment and are not billed separately.

A (10 days) is the global period for minor procedures, not major ones. B (30 days) and C (60 days) are not standard Medicare global periods. They are distractors that only sound plausible.

Rule to remember: major surgery has the longer global period and minor surgery the shorter one. Check the global indicator for each code in the Medicare fee schedule. Use a modifier only when a visit or procedure really falls outside routine follow-up care.

Example 3

Question: Which CPT code reports a primary rhinoplasty that includes major septal repair?

1. 30400
2. 30410
3. 30420
4. 30430

Answer: C. 30420

Explanation:

C (30420) is correct. 30420 is the primary rhinoplasty code that includes major septal repair. The septal work is part of this one code and is not reported separately.

A (30400) is a primary rhinoplasty limited to the lateral and alar cartilages and/or elevation of the nasal tip. B (30410) is a fuller primary rhinoplasty that includes the bony pyramid but not major septal repair. D (30430) is a secondary rhinoplasty, meaning a minor revision of an earlier nose surgery.

Rule to remember: first decide whether the rhinoplasty is primary or secondary, then check how much of the nose was reworked. If major septal repair was done with a primary rhinoplasty, choose the code that includes it instead of adding a separate septal code.

How to use these practice tests

Start on PoliceApp.com. Confirm the next online test date and the $95 fee, and check the minimum score each department you want asks for, because some require more than 70. The exam body does not publish a content outline here, so check PoliceApp for what the test covers. Then use the general skills sets on this page:

• Take Basic Math, Reading Comprehension and English Language & Grammar once each without notes to find your weakest area.
• For every question you miss, read the explanation and write the rule down in your own words.
• Spend most of your remaining practice time on your weakest area, then retake that set and compare results.
• For mixed warm-ups, use the free quizzes in math, reading and grammar.
• Before test day, check your device, internet connection and login so the online format holds no surprises.

The coding sets on this page cover medical coding for aesthetic procedures. That is a different credential that also uses the CPCA name, and it is not part of the police entry exam. If you are applying to a Connecticut police department, skip those sets.

Expect to spend around $250-$300 for the initial testing and application phase to various CPCA jobs.

Pass Your CPCA Exam

Get instant access to our complete CPCA study guide and CPCA practice test library. Join thousands of successful Connecticut police officers.

Connecticut officers must complete recertification training every three years to maintain their police powers, as mandated by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POSTC).

Official Resources

• CPCA Entry Level Testing Program – the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association's own page for the entry-level police officer testing program used by participating departments.
• PoliceApp – the online portal where candidates create an account, register for the CPCA written test and view results.
• Connecticut POST (Police Officer Standards and Training Council) – the state body under DESPP that sets police officer certification and training requirements in Connecticut.

Sources & last verified

1. knowledgebase.policeapp.com — passing score (official source). “In general a passing score is 70. This should be sufficient for a majority of the departments, but in some cases a department may require…” Verified Oct 29, 2026.
2. policeapp.com — exam fee, retake fee, retake policy, validity (official source). “The $95.00 fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.” Verified Oct 29, 2026 · source checked Oct 26, 2026.
3. Connecticut Police Chiefs Association — delivery (official source). “TEST DATES All tests online - check PoliceApp.com” Verified Oct 29, 2026 · source checked Oct 26, 2026.
4. knowledgebase.policeapp.com — score release (official source). “The CPCA will upload test scores within 2-5 days after the date of the exam.” Verified Oct 29, 2026 · source checked Oct 26, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.