How to be a PNPA Cadet: PNPACAT 2025 Application Guide

Are you dreaming of becoming a police general, a high-ranking officer in the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), or perhaps the chief of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)? This ambition is within reach if you become a cadet at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

Joining the PNPA offers a prestigious and rewarding journey that sets the foundation for a career in public safety and service. If you’re interested, let’s explore the steps to achieve your dream, including the PNPA Cadet Admission Test (PNPACAT) application process, exam schedule, and the qualifications needed to become a member of the PNPA Class of 2030. Let’s get started!

About the PNPA

Established under Section 19 of Presidential Decree 1184, the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) is a leading public safety educational institution in the Philippines. Located at Camp General Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite, the PNPA offers a comprehensive four-year cadetship program culminating in a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety (BSPS) degree. Graduates of the PNPA Cadetship Program are commissioned as officers in the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Before gaining admission to the Academy, prospective cadets must pass the PNPA Cadet Admission Test (PNPACAT). In the August 2024 PNPACAT, 25,365 out of 33,338 candidates successfully passed the exam. Following the exam, candidates undergo a physical fitness test, with only 1,413 advancing to the third step of the admission process. Ultimately, only around 350-400 candidates make it to the reception rites.

PNPACAT 2025 Schedule

The Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) has not yet announced the official start date for the online application process for PNPACAT 2025. However, based on previous application cycles, it is expected to open in late February or March 2025 and run until June of the same year. As in previous years, the PNPA Admission Test is likely to take place in August 2025. We recommend staying tuned for further updates and announcements from the PNPA to ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines.

Qualifications

We strongly advise our readers not to skip or skim through this section, as it contains information that will determine your eligibility to become a PNPA cadet. It is important to read everything carefully, as you must meet each of the listed qualifications.

• To qualify, you must be a natural-born Filipino citizen. This means you cannot be a foreign national or a naturalized Filipino. If one of your parents is a foreigner and the other is Filipino, your Filipino parent must have held Filipino citizenship at the time of your birth.
• Applicants must be between 18 and 22 years old by May 1, 2026. If you turn 23 on or before this date, or are not yet 18 by then, you will be ineligible for admission. This means your birthdate must fall between May 2, 2003, and May 1, 2008, to qualify.
• You must be single and have no children or dependents to support.
• You must be at least a senior high school (SHS) graduate by the time of admission. College students are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the age requirements. However, if accepted as a cadet, you will start the program from the beginning, and no college credits or previous subjects will be carried over. Likewise, ALS-certified applicants with SHS equivalency or those enrolled in college are eligible to take the PNPACAT, as long as they meet the age criteria.
• In compliance with Republic Act (RA) 11549, also known as the PNP, BFP, BJMP, and BuCor Height Equity Act of 2021, male applicants must be at least 5’2” tall, while female applicants must be at least 5’0”
• Your weight must correspond to your height and gender according to the Body Mass Index (BMI) standards.
• Applicants must be physically and mentally fit to endure rigorous training. This means you should not have any medical conditions that would prevent you from handling the demands of PNPA training.
• Applicants must possess good moral character, with no criminal, administrative, or civil derogatory records. Additionally, there should be no pending complaints or cases in court involving moral turpitude or any offenses against the state.
• Not a former cadet of PNPA or other service academies (PMA, PMMA, MAAP); and
• Never been dismissed from any private employment or government position for a cause.

Failure to meet even one requirement will lead to automatic disqualification from the PNPA Admission Test.  Please pay close attention to each detail above to avoid any issues with your application.

How to Apply as a PNPA Cadet

You can apply for the 2025 PNPACAT in three ways: online, via courier, or through walk-in applications. However, walk-in applications significantly reduce your chances of securing a slot, so we recommend applying online or through courier. Online applications are preferred because documents sent via courier risk getting lost in transit.

PNPACAT Online Application

1. Please prepare scanned copies of the following documents:

• PSA Birth Certificate. Make sure you have the original physical copy, as the PNPA will require it if you passed the admission test.
• 2×2 or passport-sized picture. It must have a white background and nametag (last name, first name, middle initial).
• BMI Form. Download the PNPA BMI Form, print it, and then go to a private or government physician to determine your BMI.

The scanned files must not exceed 20MB in size and must be in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format.

2. Go to the PNPCAT online application portal. The link will be available once the online application starts.

PNPACAT Application via Mail

1. Download and print the 2025 PNPCAT application form once the application period begins. Complete the form with your information, ensuring you follow all indicated instructions and notes. Fill out all sections properly, leaving no fields blank. If a section does not apply to you, write “N/A. Do not sign it yet.

2. Download the PNPA BMI Form and print it. See a licensed private or government physician to accomplish your BMI certificate.

3. On the back of the application form, you will find a Certification section. Visit the nearest police station to have this section completed by a Police Commissioned Officer (PCO) with the rank of Police Lieutenant or higher.

4. Send the application form via a reliable courier service such as LBC, JRS, J&T, or any other trustworthy courier near you. Avoid using PhilPost, as it may take longer for your documents to reach the PNPA. Send it to this address:

Walk-In Application

1. Download and print the 2025 PNPACAT Walk-In Application form. The download link will be available soon.

2. Complete the form with your information and follow all indicated instructions and notes. Fill out all sections properly, leaving no fields blank. If a section does not apply to you, write “N/A. Do not sign it yet.

3. Download the PNPA BMI Form and print it. See a licensed private or government physician to accomplish your BMI certificate.

4. Attach a copy of your PSA Birth Certificate.

5. Proceed to your preferred testing center on the exam day, between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Look for the designated PNPA booth. Present your requirements along with a valid ID and register.

Walk-in applicants will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the availability of testing materials at each testing center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the FAQs about the PNPACAT application process and joining the PNPA as a cadet:

I graduated from senior high school with the Highest Honors. Am I exempt from taking the PNPACAT?

No, unlike previous years, senior high school graduates with Highest Honors and college graduates with Latin honors are no longer exempt from taking the PNPACAT.

Does the PNPA allow cadets who are INC members to attend worship services?

Yes, the PNPA respects religious freedom and recognizes each cadet’s right to practice their faith. The academy provides opportunities for cadets to observe their religious practices.

“Observe Sunday” is a mandate that requires PNPA cadets to observe the day as one of rest and worship. This initiative promotes a healthy balance between their duties and spiritual growth, allowing cadets time to recharge, reflect, and deepen their faith, which contributes to their overall well-being and effectiveness as PNPA cadets.

How can I be exempt from the PNPACAT?

If you are the child of a Medal of Valor awardee, you are exempt from taking the PNPACAT. However, this does not guarantee admission to the academy, as you will still need to complete the remaining steps in the admission process. The exemption only applies to the entrance exam.

Reminders

If you’re planning to join the PNPA after graduating from senior high school, we recommend taking college entrance exams and securing a spot at a university. Admission to the academy is highly competitive, and there is no guarantee of acceptance. By enrolling in a university, you’ll have a backup plan and avoid wasting an academic year. You can still apply to the PNPA while pursuing your chosen college course.

Before taking the PNPACAT, in addition to reviewing and preparing for the exam, focus on improving your physical fitness. Make sure you can perform pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, and complete a 3-km run, as these are part of the Physical Agility Test (PAT), the second step in the admission process. Don’t wait for the PNPACAT results to start preparing, as the PAT takes place just a few days after the results are released, leaving little time for preparation. Also, be financially prepared, as you will need to travel to Silang, Cavite, for the Physical Agility Test, Psychological and Psychiatric Examination (PPE), Physical, Medical, and Dental Examination (PMDE), and Panel Interview.