Candidate assessment process

The assessment process tests your knowledge, competencies and abilities to ensure you will be successful in your role as an officer cadet.

The Canadian Coast Guard Academy will inform you whether you pass or fail; however the, Academy does not give feedback to applicants.

Guidelines

Becoming an officer cadet requires some patience. The Canadian Coast Guard has an extensive selection process to make sure we hire the right people.

During the process, you will be expected to:

adhere to all deadlines
show attention to detail
follow instructions carefully
respond in a timely manner
be available for assessments

Failure to follow these guidelines may result in the termination of your application.

Application and educational assessment

Academy admissions will review your application and educational documentation, such as high school transcripts and proof of enrollment in the required courses. If you meet or are in the process of meeting the required course prerequisites, you will move to the next step of the selection process.

Screening Questions

As part of the initial application, you must answer screening questions. The screening questions will assess some of the competencies required to be considered a good fit for the Officer Training Program.

Experience questionnaire

Once you are screened into the process, you will be invited to complete an experience questionnaire. This allows us to learn more about your life experiences in areas such as school, community involvement, volunteerism, and seagoing activities.

Learning accommodations

You will be asked if you have a learning disability and if you require learning accommodation(s). It is your responsibility to:

Provide a recent (within the last 5 years) psychological educational assessment prior to the start of the Officer Training Program
Inform Academy admissions if you are requesting accommodations for the screening questions or interview

Do not submit these documents until they are requested from you.

Requests for accommodation measures will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Information received related to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Learning accommodations may be made during the selection process (the written exam and interview); however, there are no guarantees that your accommodations will be met or available to you if you are accepted into the Officer Training Program due to program regulations set forth by Transport Canada.

Security assessment

All government employees are required to have a valid security clearance prior to employment. As part of your application to the Officer Training Program you will be required to obtain a reliability clearance. If you have lived or travelled outside of Canada, please refer to Residency and travel outside of Canada to learn how this may affect your security clearance.

The Academy will provide you with the forms to apply for security clearance. You will be require to:

complete and sign the security form
make an appointment to obtain your digital fingerprints
send us the signed security forms and the document file number of your digital fingerprints.

Academy admissions is not responsible for conducting the security clearance. Once we receive your information, we will forward it to the Department of National Defence security bureau for processing. Please keep in mind that this process can take several weeks or even months. Admissions will notify you once you have received your reliability security clearance.

Once you start the Officer Training Program, you will be required to obtain a Secret security clearance prior to your first sea phase. At this time, you will have additional documentation to complete.

Interview

In addition to the screening questions, you will be invited to an interview to assess more competencies required to become an officer cadet in the Officer Training Program. The interview is conducted via video conferencing or by telephone.

Consider the following tips for face-to-face or video interviews:

have confidence
dress appropriately
maintain good eye contact
greet panel members and introduce yourself
be prepared and on time as this helps to create a good first impression

Learn more about the screening questions, interview and sample questions.

Medical exams

Prior to your medical exams

You will be asked to obtain a Candidate Document Number (CDN) from Transport Canada Marine Safety. You will be required to provide this number when you go for your Transport Canada medical.

Obtain a Candidate Document Number from Transport Canada

Visit the closest Transport Canada office in your area and bring the following items with you:

2 documents to support your identity
Please note, only identity documents issued by the Federal, Provincial or Municipal authorities will be accepted. Visit the Application Process for a CDN from Transport Canada for the list of accepted documents.
The completed application for Candidate Document Number form. This form will be sent to you by the admissions office
A letter provided to you from the Canadian Coast Guard Academy to be submitted to Transport Canada with the above form.

Once you receive your Candidate Document Number from Transport Canada, e-mail it to dfo.ccgcselection-cgccselection.mpo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Medical assessments

You must pass two medicals and be deemed “Fit” without any:

duty limitations
health risk factors
geographic limitations

These medicals will determine if you meet the vision, hearing and physical standards required to perform the duties of your position and your duties at sea. If successful, you will receive your medical clearance.

Academy admissions will provide you with direction when it is time to book appointments with Health Canada and Transport Canada.

Health Canada medical exam

The Health Canada Occupational Assessment Medical is a pre-employment medical. Meaning you need to pass this medical to obtain a position as an Officer Cadet. A physician designated by Health Canada will complete an Occupational Health Assessment Report for a CAT III seafarers medical.

Transport Canada medical exam

The Transport Canada medical exam is required to work or train aboard a vessel. This marine medical exam is conducted by a Transport Canada designated doctor. It shows a seafarer has met both the mental and physical standards required by Canadian law. All seafarers must hold a valid marine medical certificate to work on board a vessel. You need to meet a specified standard of medical fitness set out in the Transport Canada Seafarer medical exams - A physician guide (PDF, 1.56 MB).

Competencies

Competencies are the characteristics an individual must have to perform a job. Take some time to get familiar with the definitions below to help you answer questions about each competency during the screening questions and interview. Make sure to identify how you meet each competency, using real life experiences as well as where and when you developed it.

Adaptability
Decision-making skills
Dependability
Effective oral communication
Effective written communication
Initiative
Judgement
Leadership
Problem-solving skills
Respect
Teamwork

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2026-01-20

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