FPSI

What FPSI does

FPSI (Fire and Police Selection, Inc.) is a privately held California corporation founded in 1996 that develops and administers validated assessments for fire and police recruitment and promotional selection. The company serves U.S. and Canadian public safety agencies, providing entry-level written exams (FACT, CEB, NFST for firefighters; PACT, NPST, NDST for law enforcement), physical ability tests (PAT), personality inventories (WSI), writing assessments (WAT, SJWAT), and structured interview packages (SIP), plus adjunct services such as job analysis, custom item writing, and the Test Validation & Analysis Program (TVAP). Underlying technology includes proprietary psychometrically validated content, the TestGenius-integrated online testing platform with remote proctoring and webcam-based face-scan identity verification, and a direct partnership with Biddle Consulting Group for EEO compliance tooling.

FPSI operates a dual-channel business model: enterprise sales to government agencies on a per-assessment, one-time license basis combined with professional services consulting, and a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront selling $20 candidate orientation guides (PDF) and Vimeo-based video prep courses. The company advertises 500,000+ candidates tested, 99% customer satisfaction, and a 95% repeat customer rate, with a 1-10 employee footprint and two disclosed funding rounds totaling approximately $4.7 million (2011 and 2013). Delivery formats span paper-and-pencil, online, and virtual proctored testing, with results and adverse impact analyses typically returned within 48 hours.

Name

FPSI

Legal name

Fire and Police Selection, Inc.

Website

https://fpsi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FPSI develops and administers psychometrically validated entry-level and promotional assessments, physical ability tests, and structured interviews for U.S. and Canadian fire and law enforcement agencies, supplemented by B2C candidate test-prep materials and EEO compliance consulting via a Biddle Consulting Group partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Safety Assessment Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Psychometric Standards, Test Development & Validation Authorities (EDADAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Digital Assessment Platforms & Computer-Based Testing Authorities (EDADAFAK)

Keywords

• Public safety assessments
• Firefighter entry exams
• Law enforcement testing
• Pre-employment screening
• Promotional exam services

Headquarters

HQ city

Folsom

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Agency Testing Services: FPSI provides validated testing solutions to fire departments, police departments, and sheriff's departments for entry-level recruitment and promotional testing. Agencies pay for assessments, consultation, and administration services.
2. Test Prep Materials (B2C): Individual candidates purchase firefighter and police exam orientation guides, practice tests, and video courses as one-time PDF downloads or video course purchases.
3. Consulting Services: Professional consulting services including job analysis, test validation, custom item writing, and recruitment services provided to agencies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

FPSI develops, validates, and administers entry-level and promotional assessment suites for fire departments and law enforcement agencies, including written aptitude exams, physical ability tests, personality inventories, structured interview packages, and writing ability tests. The company delivers these assessments through proctored online testing and paper-and-pencil formats, supported by job analysis consulting, test validation services, and recruitment outreach. Individual candidates can also purchase official test preparation guides and video courses directly from the company's e-commerce storefront.

Product overview

FPSI offers a comprehensive suite of public safety testing solutions for fire departments and law enforcement agencies. The portfolio consists of entry-level and promotional testing products, assessment tools, consulting services, and online/virtual testing platforms. Firefighter testing products include FACT, CEB, NFST (primary cognitive/personality exams), WSI (personality inventory), PST (mechanical aptitude), WAT (writing skills), CFT (for certified candidates), PAT (physical ability), and SIP (structured interviews). Law enforcement products include PACT, NPST, NDST (primary cognitive/personality exams), WSI (personality), WAT and SJWAT (writing assessments), PAT (physical ability), and SIP (structured interviews). Supporting services include Job Analysis consulting, Test Item Writing, Written Test Link-Up (TVAP), and Recruitment Services. The company provides both traditional paper-and-pencil formats and modern online/virtual testing platforms with remote proctoring capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test (FACT) Entry-level firefighter written exam for fire departments; evaluates reading comprehension, writing ability, map reading, mathematical reasoning, and human relations skills. Available in online and paper-and-pencil formats.
• Comprehensive Examination Battery (CEB) Entry-level firefighter written exam measuring academic skills, cognitive ability, reading ability, and interpersonal traits. Can be combined with the Practical Skills Test (PST). Available online and paper-and-pencil.
• National Fire Select Test (NFST) Entry-level firefighter exam weighted 45% cognitive and 55% human relations and personality skills. Paper-and-pencil format with FPSI-provided scoring.
• Certified Firefighter Test (CFT) 100-item exam for candidates with Firefighter I certification or fire academy completion. Sources items from IFSTA Essentials (6th Edition) and Brady EMS (11th Edition) plus human relations skills.
• Firefighter Physical Ability Test (PAT) Physical ability test evaluating 11 critical firefighter tasks (hose drags, halyard raise, roof walk, attic crawl, ventilation, victim removal, ladder removal, stair climb, crawling search, stair climb with air bottles). Customized to department equipment and SOPs.
• Police Aptitude and Character Test (PACT) Entry-level police officer exam evaluating reading comprehension, writing ability, mathematical reasoning, reasoning skills, teamwork, communication, and interpersonal judgment. Available online and paper-and-pencil.
• National Police Select Test (NPST) Entry-level police officer exam evaluating reading comprehension, writing ability, mathematical reasoning, analytical thinking, and human relations skills. Online and paper-and-pencil formats.
• National Deputy Sheriff Test (NDST) Entry-level deputy sheriff exam with emphasis on reading comprehension, writing ability, mathematical reasoning, analytical skills, and interpersonal effectiveness. Online and paper-and-pencil formats.
• Police Physical Ability Test (PAT) Police physical ability test built on eight critical tasks (stair/hill climb with equipment, obstacle climb over/under, obstacle jump, victim removal, trigger pull, beam walk, stair descent). Customizable to agency equipment and SOPs.
• Police Structured Interview Package (SIP) 2nd Edition scenario-based interview system with 20 unique validated job-related questions assessing oral communication, interpersonal effectiveness, and decision-making. Aligned with Uniform Guidelines (1978) and legally defensible.
• Firefighter Structured Interview Package (SIP) 4th Edition comprehensive scenario-based interview system with 40 validated structured interview questions assessing oral communication, interpersonal effectiveness, and decision-making, aligned with Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures (1978).
• Firefighter Work Styles Inventory (WSI) 30-minute paper-and-pencil personality assessment measuring traits critical to firefighter success including teamwork, attention to detail, commitment, stress tolerance, and decision-making. Most effective when combined with other written firefighter exams.
• Police Work Styles Inventory (WSI) 20-minute paper-and-pencil personality assessment for entry-level police candidates measuring integrity, ethics, teamwork, stress tolerance, and decision-making. Designed to minimize adverse impact while providing valid performance prediction.
• Firefighter Writing Ability Test (WAT) Content-valid assessment of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure for accurate incident reports and documentation. Available standalone or as a short-form for integration with other FPSI selection tools.
• Police Writing Ability Test (WAT) Content-valid paper-and-pencil assessment measuring spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure for law enforcement documentation including reports, tickets, and official documents.
• Police Situational Judgment Writing Ability Test (SJWAT) Content-valid paper-and-pencil exam combining situational judgment with writing ability; measures responses to interpersonal and decision-making challenges plus proficiency in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
• Practical Skills Test (PST) 90-minute paper-and-pencil cognitive ability measure assessing mechanical aptitude and spatial orientation. Evaluates equipment repair/maintenance, tool operation, and problem-solving in fire service contexts.
• Law Enforcement Promotional Tests Customized promotional written examinations for police leadership roles tailored to position requirements. Draws from FPSI test bank or custom items using agency SOPs, SOGs, State Law Manuals, and national publications.
• Firefighter Promotional Tests & Assessments Customized promotional exams and comprehensive assessment packages for fire department officer-level ranks (Fire Captains, Fire Lieutenants, Battalion Chiefs). Includes job analysis package, multiple-choice written test, three assessment exercises, and assessor training materials.
• Online Law Enforcement Testing Virtual testing platform for police agencies delivering PACT, NDST, and Structured Interview Package assessments. Enables broader applicant reach, reduced scheduling requirements, and lower costs while maintaining validity.
• Virtual Firefighter Testing Entry-level virtual firefighter written testing with content-valid exams, optional personality component, and virtual oral interviews featuring over 40 job-related situational-based scenarios reviewed by department panels.
• Job Analysis Consulting Services Professional consulting using the Generalized Overview Job Analysis (GOJA) methodology to provide validity evidence for selection procedures; identifies essential job duties, KSAPCs, and physical requirements and lays the foundation for content validity studies and ADA compliance.
• Test Item Writing Services Custom test item development in which I/O professionals work with subject matter experts to create job-related multiple-choice or scenario-based items, drawing from nationally recognized resources or agency-specific SOPs, SOGs, and policies.
• Written Test Link-Up (TVAP) Consulting service that connects agency assessments with FPSI's Test Validation & Analysis Program (TVAP). Includes Test Item Survey, Test Item Survey Workbook with programmed sheets, and Test Analysis Workbook for Angoff ratings, item analysis, and adverse impact analysis.
• Recruitment Services Public safety recruitment service providing direct access to a national pool of pre-screened firefighter, police officer, and deputy sheriff candidates to maximize agency outreach and streamline the hiring process.
• National Deputy Sheriff Test (NDST) Orientation Guide One-time PDF orientation guide sold directly to individual candidates preparing for the NDST, priced at $20 per guide.
• Candidate Orientation Guides for Law Enforcement (Version A and Version B) One-time PDF orientation guides sold directly to individual police and sheriff candidates, available as Version A and Version B at $20 each.
• Firefighter Candidate Orientation Videos (NFST and CEB prep courses) Official online video prep courses for the NFST and CEB exams, walking candidates through each component of the written exams with expert tips, preparation strategies, and sample questions. Delivered via Vimeo on-demand.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% customer satisfaction rate across 500,000+ candidates tested
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Biddle Consulting Group, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFPSI maintains a direct partnership with Biddle Consulting Group, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in EEO-related tools and assessments since 1974. This partnership provides an advantage unmatched by other testing companies in the public safety industry. Biddle's expertise in Equal Employment Opportunity compliance complements FPSI's testing solutions, ensuring agencies meet federal Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures requirements.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• PoliceExam911: PoliceExam911 is a smaller test preparation provider for police officer candidates, competing with FPSI's B2C police test prep guides and video courses in the candidate-facing preparation market.
• Darany & Associates: Darany & Associates is an I-O consulting firm offering public safety promotional exam development and entry-level test validation services, partially overlapping with FPSI's consulting and promotional testing lines.

Direct peers

• I-O Solutions: I-O Solutions is one of the largest public safety entry-level testing providers in the U.S., offering validated written exams, physical ability tests, and personality assessments for police, fire, and corrections agencies — directly competitive with FPSI's core product suite.
• Ergometrics & Applied Personnel Research: Ergometrics provides validated public safety selection assessments including the National Firefighter Selection Inventory (NFSI) and the National Law Enforcement Selection Inventory, directly competing with FPSI's NFST, NPST, and related tests.
• Morris & McDaniel: Morris & McDaniel is an I-O psychology consulting firm specializing in public safety entry-level and promotional test development, job analysis, and assessment center design — competing with FPSI's consulting and promotional testing services.
• Public Safety Testing: Public Safety Testing is a regional public safety test administration service that recruits, tests, and establishes eligibility lists for fire and police agencies — directly overlapping with FPSI's testing and recruitment services.
• National Testing Network: National Testing Network provides standardized public safety entry-level testing for police, fire, corrections, and dispatch across multiple states, competing with FPSI for agency testing contracts and candidate pool development.
• Stanard & Associates: Stanard & Associates provides customized public safety psychological evaluations, polygraph services, and assessment tools, with a customer base that overlaps FPSI's fire and police department clients.

Broad incumbents

• HireRight: HireRight is a large-scale background check and workforce screening provider serving employers broadly; while not a public safety specialist, it is an adjacent provider of validation-related employment screening services that competes for the same HR department budgets.
• Biddle Consulting Group: Biddle is FPSI's strategic EEO compliance partner and a major player in adverse impact analysis and employee selection software for public sector employers, offering overlapping assessment and compliance capabilities to a similar government customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FPSI