• Readiness and Deployment Branch (RDB)

  Annual Physical Fitness Test (APFT) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  APFT Exercises and Standards

  • Why is there a flexibility component added to the APFT?

    Studies show that maintaining flexibility reduces risk of injury. A flexibility component was added to ensure that officers demonstrate a minimum level of flexibility. Thus the APFT provides a more comprehensive and scientifically-supported measure of overall fitness by incorporating four components of fitness: cardiorespiratory endurance, upper body endurance, core endurance, and flexibility. The flexibility component is a seated toe touch exercise which is scored as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

    Why are only certain elliptical and bike machines approved for use as cardiorespiratory endurance options?

    The new elliptical and bike cardiovascular endurance options were adopted from the Navy. The Navy has done specific testing to validate the equipment and determine offset values for several variations of the elliptical and bike to ensure the test is consistent across different types of machines. It is necessary to only use an elliptical or bike from the approved list identified on the APFT POM and instructional guide or the calculation and results will not be accurate. The APFT Advisory Council will continually monitor the Navy’s approved equipment list and make recommendations to add additional equipment as the Navy expands their list.

    Will citations in the scientific literature that support APFT components be available to PHS officers?

    Yes, the references used for the APFT standards are available to officers. Please see the APFT Overview on the CCMIS website for additional information.

    Will the APFT be increased in frequency (example: twice a year)?

    No, the frequency of the APFT will not change. Unless given a medical-approved waiver, all officers are required to complete one APFT every 12 months to meet basic readiness requirements each year.

  Documentation and APFT Scoring

  • How can officers serving in an isolated location without another officer complete the APFT?

    There are options to completing the APFT without having another officer physically present. The ideal situation is an active-duty commissioned officer from the USPHS or one of the other Uniformed Services is physically present to observe each officer’s APFT (current APFT requirement). If that is not possible, an officer can view another officer’s APFT via live video through a cell phone or computer (Google hangout, iPhone Facetime, Skype, etc.). If the APFT is viewed via a live video, the officer completing the APFT will send Form PHS-7044 to the observing officer to obtain his/her signature via pdf or fax. If neither of the first two options is available to an officer, a federal employee non-officer adult can observe an officer’s APFT.

    How do officers determine the overall score for the APFT?

    The cardiorespiratory endurance, upper body endurance, and core endurance exercises each have six levels of performance: Maximum, Outstanding, Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, and Failure. Each level has a corresponding point value assigned to it. The flexibility exercise is scored as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

    In order to pass the APFT, an officer must achieve a satisfactory or better for the cardiorespiratory, upper body, and core exercises. If an officer does not meet the satisfactory level for any of these exercises, the overall APFT is considered failed. If an officer scores satisfactory on the seated toe touch, the final score is obtained by averaging the scores of the cardiorespiratory endurance, upper body endurance, and core endurance components. If an officer scores unsatisfactory on the seated toe touch, the overall APFT score will be one level lower.

    See APFT POM for Scoring the APFT and examples.

    If officers are using the elliptical or bike option, how do they determine the corresponding 1.5 mile run level to determine the points for that exercise?

    Officers may only use an authorized elliptical or stationary bike for these cardiorespiratory endurance alternatives. If an officer is unable to locate an approved machine to use, they must do the run or swim cardiorespiratory endurance exercise. The score from the elliptical or bike is calculated by adding the number of calories burned during 12 minutes of exercise plus an offset value from the machines, and then dividing that value by the officer’s body weight in pounds.

    See APFT POM for List of Approved Equipment and Gender Standards Tables.

    How can officers obtain the Field Medical Readiness Badge (FMRB) with the revised APFT?

    Officers who achieve and maintain an overall APFT level of “Excellent” or greater on the APFT and complete the other FMRB requirements will be included for FMRB eligibility determination.

    See CCMIS Website, under “Readiness” for FMRB guidance and requirements.

    How do officers document their APFT score?

    On Form PHS-7044. Officers will complete the form with the signature of the testing official, create a new APFT record within Self-Service and upload a hardcopy document via eDOC-U to supplement the new APFT record. Officers are recommended to maintain a copy for their personal records. All officers will need to enter the last name of the testing official who views and verifies their APFT and the remaining fields will auto populate if the testing official is another Corps officer. CCHQ will periodically audit the officer and the observing officer to verify that the APFT was viewed and information entered into eDOC-U is accurate.

    Why are height, body weight, and circumferences recorded on Form PHS-7044?

    At this time, the USPHS uses Body Mass Index (BMI) and estimated percent body fat (PBF) standards for all active duty and Ready Reserve officers. Including this information on APFT records is required due to verify compliance with Retention Weight Standards. Failure to include height, and weight information on the APFT or Verified Weight Report (7044-1) will identify the officer as “Not Qualified” during monthly readiness checks.

  Medical Waivers

  • How are medical waivers obtained?

    Waivers are specific to the individual components of the APFT that an officer is unable to perform due to a physical or medical limitation. Officers with a component-specific waiver are expected to complete the other components of the APFT. For example, an officer with a waiver for the cardiorespiratory endurance component (run, swim, elliptical, or bike) due to an injury is still expected to complete the upper body endurance, core endurance, and flexibility portions of the APFT. In this case, the waiver would exempt the officer only from the cardiorespiratory endurance portion of the fitness test. See FAQ 13 for scoring information with a medical waiver.

    Additional information on medical waivers is located on the CCMIS website under the “Medical Affairs” section.

    What documentation is required to obtain a waiver for a medical limitation?

    In order to request a medical waiver, the officer must send in a brief written narrative summarizing the purpose and timeframe of the request. Additionally, the treating provider should submit a diagnosis, recommended waiver period, and any additional relevant medical evidence or supporting documentation to supplement the request.

    Additional information on medical waivers is located on the CCMIS website under the “Medical Affairs” section.

    If an officer has a medical waiver, how is the overall APFT score determined?

    The overall APFT score is an average of the points obtained from each exercise completed (cardiorespiratory endurance, upper body endurance, and core endurance). If an officer has a medical waiver for one or more components, the overall score is the average of the components completed.

    See APFT POM for Scoring the APFT and examples.

    What are the consequences if an officer is unable to complete the APFT and does not have a waiver?

    Officers can make multiple attempts to pass the APFT, if necessary. If an officer does not successfully pass the APFT and does not have a medical waiver, the officer will have 12-months to successfully complete and pass the APFT. Any officer who is unable to pass the APFT will be marked “Not Qualified”, resulting in non-compliance with the conditions of service, be identified as not eligible for promotion or deployment and are subject to disciplinary actions including referral to retention boards.

    Please reference Adverse Action policies including and CCD 123.01, “Involuntary Separation,” and CCD 111.02, “Disciplinary Action.”
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