What to Expect from a Pre-Employment Fitness for Duty Psychological Evaluation

Testing
Written By heather joppich-lines

For many high-stakes jobs, employers require candidates to undergo a pre-employment psychological evaluation, sometimes referred to as a pre-employment fitness for duty evaluation, to assess their mental and emotional readiness for the role. These evaluations are commonly required for positions in law enforcement, corrections, first responders, military, and various government agencies, where decision-making, emotional regulation, and stress tolerance are critical. If you have been asked to complete a psychological evaluation as part of your hiring process, understanding what to expect can help you feel more prepared and confident.

Why Employers Require Fitness for Duty Psychological Evaluations

Certain professions involve high-pressure situations, public safety responsibilities, and exposure to traumatic events. Employers use pre-employment psychological evaluations to determine whether candidates possess the emotional resilience, cognitive abilities, and behavioral traits necessary to perform their job effectively. These assessments help reduce the risk of burnout, poor decision-making, and workplace safety concerns.

Some of the common jobs that require a psychological evaluation include:

  • Law Enforcement (Police Departments, FBI, U.S. Marshals, Secret Service)

  • Correctional Facilities (Prison Guards, Probation Officers)

  • Government Positions (U.S. Customs and Border Protection, TSA, CIA, Military)

  • First Responders (Firefighters, Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians)

  • Security Personnel (Private Security Contractors, Armed Guards)

  • Other High-Responsibility Roles (Air Traffic Controllers, Nuclear Plant Operators)

If you are applying for one of these roles, your employer will likely require a psychological clearance report before finalizing your hiring decision.

What Happens During a Pre-Employment Psychological Evaluation?

If you schedule a pre-employment psychological evaluation with Zephyr Care, the process is streamlined and fully virtual for those in PSYPACT states (listed below). Here’s what you can expect:

1. Virtual Clinical Interview

The first step is a one-on-one interview, conducted via a secure video platform. During this session, you will be asked about your:

  • Personal and professional background including your work history and any periods of unemployment

  • Mental health history such as past or present symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, psychosis, etc. You will also be used about history of psychiatric medications, psychiatric hospitalizations, and therapy/counseling.

  • Coping mechanisms for stress

  • Interpersonal relationships and support system

The goal is to get a well-rounded understanding of your personality, thought processes, and emotional resilience in the context of the job you are applying for.

2. Psychological Testing

After the interview, you will complete standardized psychological assessments, which may include personality tests, mental health symptoms tests, and other tests as required by your potential employer. These tests help create an objective profile of your strengths, potential areas for development, and overall suitability for the job.

3. Review of Mental Health Records (If Required by Employer)

In some cases, your potential employer may request a review of past mental health records as part of the pre-employment psychological evaluation. If required, you may need to provide written consent allowing access to relevant medical or psychological records.

This step helps ensure that any prior mental health diagnoses, treatments, or hospitalizations are considered in the context of your ability to perform the job safely and effectively. The focus is not to disqualify candidates based on mental health history but rather to ensure that individuals are well-suited for the demands of the role.

If a record review is required, we will:

-Obtain your signed consent before reviewing any confidential records.

-Evaluate only job-relevant information in line with legal and ethical guidelines.

-Discuss any concerns with you if necessary, ensuring fairness in the assessment process.

Not all employers require this step, but if yours does, we will guide you through the process to ensure compliance while respecting your privacy.

4. Psychological Report for Your Employer

Once the assessment is complete, the results will be compiled into a comprehensive psychological report. This report will be sent directly to your employer (or to you, depending on the employer’s requirements). It will indicate whether you meet the psychological criteria for the position and highlight any relevant findings that may impact your ability to perform the job safely and effectively.

Can You “Fail” a Pre-Employment Psychological Evaluation?

Pre-employment psychological evaluations are not about passing or failing—they are about determining fit for a specific role. If an evaluation indicates that a candidate is not an ideal match for a position, it does not mean they are unqualified for employment elsewhere. Instead, it suggests that the demands of the job may not align with their psychological profile.

Virtual Pre-Employment Psychological Evaluations Available in PSYPACT States

One of the key benefits of scheduling your pre-employment psychological evaluation with me is that I can see candidates virtually in all PSYPACT states. This means you do not need to travel or find a local provider—everything can be done from the comfort of your home.

As of 2025, the following PSYPACT states allow virtual psychological evaluations:

  • Alabama

  • Arizona

  • Arkansas

  • Colorado

  • Connecticut

  • Delaware

  • District of Columbia

  • Georgia

  • Idaho

  • Illinois

  • Indiana

  • Kansas

  • Kentucky

  • Maine

  • Maryland

  • Michigan

  • Minnesota

  • Missouri

  • Nebraska

  • Nevada

  • New Hampshire

  • New Jersey

  • North Carolina

  • North Dakota

  • Ohio

  • Oklahoma

  • Pennsylvania

  • Rhode Island

  • South Carolina

  • Tennessee

  • Texas

  • Utah

  • Virginia

  • Washington

  • West Virginia

  • Wisconsin

  • Wyoming

  • *We are also able to see a limited number of California and Massachusetts clients per year.

This list is regularly updated, so be sure to check the PSYPACT website or reach out to confirm your eligibility for a virtual evaluation.

Schedule Your Pre-Employment Psychological Evaluation

Pre-employment psychological evaluations are a highly specialized service that not all mental health providers offer. At Zephyr Care, we have expertise in conducting these assessments, ensuring that candidates meet the psychological standards required for high-stakes professions. Dr. Joppich, a licensed Psychologist, has specialized in this area of psychological evaluation and understands the unique demands of jobs that require mental and emotional resilience.

Whether you are applying for a law enforcement position, correctional facility, government agency, military role, or first responder job, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based assessments tailored to your employer’s requirements. Our streamlined virtual process allows us to offer evaluations across all PSYPACT states, making it easy for candidates to complete their assessments from anywhere.

If you need a pre-employment psychological evaluation, contact Zephyr Care today to schedule your assessment. Let’s get you one step closer to your career goals!

 

Author: Heather Joppich, PhD

Dr. Joppich is a Licensed Psychologist and owner of Zephyr Care Mental Health. She specializes in neurodiversity-affirming assessments for autism, ADHD, and mental health concerns.

heather joppich-lines
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