NYPD Promotion to Captain (Police): Exam 6569

Application period

May 7 to May 27, 2026

Application fee

$101.00

Multiple-choice test

Expected from October 14, 2026

Test format

Computer terminal

Passing score

At least 70%

Minimum salary

$165,631 per year

Candidates paying by credit, debit, or gift card incur a nonrefundable 2.00% service fee. Veterans, unemployed individuals, and people receiving public assistance or supplemental security income qualify for a fee waiver. The salary is subject to change.

• To take the exam: you must be an NYPD employee who, on the first test date, holds a permanent competitive appointment or appears on a Preferred List for Lieutenant (Police).
• To be promoted: at least two years of permanent service in the rank of Lieutenant in the New York City Police, Transit Police, or Housing Authority Police Departments, with the probationary period completed, and a permanent appointment as Lieutenant or a place on the Preferred List at the time of promotion.
• Education: a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university is required to be promoted. Official transcripts go to the NYPD Educational Tracking Unit.
• Other requirements at promotion: a valid New York State driver license with no restrictions that would preclude Captain work, a one-time drug test, and an investigation of official documents.

The notice says you can be given the test before your eligibility is verified, and that an ineligible candidate is not refunded and receives no score.

The test is designed to assess the knowledge and abilities important to a Captain's tasks. The notice lists these task areas:

• Assign and reassign personnel
• Monitor and inspect subordinates
• Train, evaluate, reward, and correct subordinates
• Monitor local area conditions and department information sources
• Direct arrest and detention procedures
• Direct activities during incidents and emergencies
• Actions needed to ensure integrity
• Safeguard evidence and non-police property
• Account for, safeguard, and maintain police property
• Liaise with community outreach groups, the public, and other agencies
• Make required notifications and communicate information
• Prepare and review written forms, logs, and reports
• Plan and administer programs and design procedures

The test may include questions requiring working knowledge, without reference material, of the following non-exclusive list of sources, as in effect up to and including May 7, 2026:

• New York State Penal Law
• The Administrative Guide
• New York City local laws and regulations
• The Family Court Act
• Crime Complaint Reporting System reference guide
• Legal guidelines and bulletins
• NYPD Patrol Guide
• Operations Orders and active Interim Orders
• Services provided by other police units, public agencies, and community groups
• Department computer systems procedures, such as FINEST and ICAD
• The 311 system

• You need at least 70% on the multiple-choice test to pass.
• Ratings for seniority and, if applicable, departmental awards and Veterans' Preference Credit are added to the scores of passing candidates to determine final ranking.
• The maximum total credit for seniority and departmental awards is 8.751 points. Seniority is credited from time served permanently as Lieutenant in the eligible departments, with a chart in the notice.
• Passing candidates are placed on an eligible list in final score order, which determines the order of consideration for promotion and is usually active for four years.
• A candidate who believes the test was rated incorrectly can appeal to the DCAS Committee on Manifest Errors through OASys.

• The test draws on department sources as they stood on May 7, 2026. Use that version of the Patrol Guide, Administrative Guide, and interim orders.
• Work by task area. The notice lists thirteen, so a self-review that names the area behind each missed question is more useful than a raw score.

Our promotional exam study guide explains how promotional exams differ from entry-level tests.

Facts on this page about dates, eligibility, and exam components come from the official sources below. We last checked them on October 12, 2026. Exam details change between cycles, so confirm with the administering authority before you act.

• Notice of Examination: Promotion to Captain (Police), Exam No. 6569

  NYC DCAS Bureau of Examinations · Published May 6, 2026