As the managing director of anEDGE, a company that has become the most successful CBSA application, law enforcement application, interviewing coaching and mentoring company in Canada, I can’t tell you how many times I have been asked:
“How can I best prepare for the CBSA as my career choice?”
“How do I navigate or pass the CBSA Interview?”
“I feel overwhelmed by the CBSA hiring process.”
The first question deserves a blog itself, and I will provide one here soon, but I will answer the question about the CBSA hiring process now. I am going to share the CBSA hiring process prerequisites and then I go through the application process and break down each step in detail.
There are five steps in the CBSA hiring process that you need to be aware of, so let’s look at these 5 steps.
Step 1 – Prerequisites to the CBSA Hiring Process
The CBSA Hiring Process has prerequisites, which are listed below.
- High school diploma is a must, but consider some secondary law enforcement education, criminology degree or diploma etc.
- Although it is not preferred, the CBSA may consider a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission test approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma. Important note: the CBSA does not consider any combination of education, training or experience as an alternative.
- Driver’s license. Keep your driving record clean. Don’t have a pattern of speeding tickets.
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Must be prepared to work anywhere in Canada – This is appealing to many of our applicants. Many want to see the country they serve. Serving internationally is also an option.
Step 2: CBSA Application process
- Apply online – Its important you pay attention and provide all the steps they ask.
- Officer Trainee Entrance Exam – The Officer Trainee Entrance Exam (OTEE) is an online assessment consisting of 117 multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate four key competencies required to become a CBSA officer trainee. The questions are hypothetical, so no prior knowledge of CBSA is needed to complete the test. Applicants have one week to begin the exam. However, once started, the test must be completed in a single sitting within 135 minutes. As part of the initial CBSA hiring process or selection process, you must write and pass a test that assesses 4 important competencies:
- reasoning skills
- writing skills
- analytical thinking
- client orientation
OTEE Exam Results – Successful OTEE results remain valid indefinitely.
If you do not pass, your candidacy will be terminated. You may reapply and retake the OTEE after a one-year waiting period from the date of your initial attempt. Attempting to retake the test before the waiting period ends will render your new results invalid, and a new one-year waiting period will begin from the date of the unauthorized attempt. Cheating and plagiarism are strictly prohibited during the assessment process. Anyone caught engaging in or assisting with these activities may face sanctions, including removal from the selection process.
- Interview – A large percentage of our time coaching is spent on getting people through the CBSA Interview and we run all our applicants through our CBSA interview coaching program.
After passing the exam, you will be invited to a CBSA interview to assess the competencies. The CBSA interview is not easy and is certainly stressful. I have written several blogs about it, and our company spends a lot of time on interview coaching and preparing applicants for the CBSA interview. The CBSA uses a variety of interview questions in order to assess the competencies needed for the role. They use a combination of behavioural based questions, situational questions and role-play questions, each with unique and specific ways to answer them. The best way to get through the rigorous CBSA interview is to be fully prepared.
The competencies that you would need to display in the interview cover the following core competencies.
- dealing with difficult situations
- decisiveness
- effective interactive communication
- judgment
- personal integrity
- values and ethics
The anEDGE CBSA interview coaching team has years of experience coaching CBSA applicants through the CBSA interview processes, so reach out if you need some assistance here.
- Psychological assessment – The psychological assessment evaluates your ability to deal with stress and helps determine if you are suited to take the duty firearms course, which is a condition of employment. The assessment is administered by clinical psychologists in designated offices across Canada. It includes 2 exams and a face-to-face interview. Results are valid for 2 years.
- Firearms safety courses – Before being invited to begin training at the Canada Border Services College, you must complete and pass the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) tests. You do not need a possession and acquisition license.
Note that you must provide proof of successful completion of both courses for the selection process. You will be trained to use and handle a firearm, as it is a requirement of the position as a Border Services Officer.
- Medical exam – A physician designated by Health Canada completes an Occupational Health Assessment Report. This Category III assessment evaluates your physical ability to perform the duties of a border services officer.
You must meet the following vision and hearing standards:
- vision: corrected vision 6/9 in the better eye and 6/15 in the other eye
- hearing: no more than a 25-decibel loss (in the better ear) at a range between 500 and 3,000 hertz.
The doctor’s decision determines if you are able to undergo “use of force” training and perform the physical duties of a border services officer.
Results are valid for 2 years (certain conditions apply).
- Second language evaluation (required for bilingual positions only) – Bilingual positions require a working knowledge of both official languages (French and English). To qualify, you must be able to speak, read, and write in your second official language at the intermediate level (BBB).
The Public Service Commission offers resources to help you prepare for a second language evaluation.
If you have previously completed the testing, we will provide instructions on how to submit your results.
- Physical fitness evaluation – The PARE assesses your ability to undergo physically demanding “use of force” training. Valid PARE results must be shared directly by the testing center with the CBSA before you are invited into the Officer Induction Training Program (OITP). You must complete the evaluation in 4 minutes and 45 seconds or less. The test is made up of an obstacle course, push-pull and weight-carry stations. The first 2 stations are timed and the third is pass-fail.
- Security clearance – Due to the enforcement role of the CBSA, and the sensitive nature of the work that border services officers do, candidates must obtain an Enhanced Reliability Status Pls Secret Clearance as part of the selection process and maintain their clearance throughout their employment within the agency.
To obtain a security clearance, candidates must consent to a telephone integrity interview, a credit check, and law enforcement and security database verifications. Candidates must also submit the following:
- digital fingerprints (at your expense)
- a form that includes information about your:
- employment history
- qualifications
- references
- travel outside of Canada
The CBSA hiring process can be extensive, mainly because of the extensive testing that is required, and the process can take up to 18 months.
Step 3: Self-paced, online training modules (weekly allowance)
You do get a weekly allowance during this phase of the CBSA hiring process as the Online Officer Induction Training Program (OITP) involves 40-50 hours of online distance learning over a four-week period. This phase equips you with a comprehensive foundation in CBSA operations and the responsibilities of a frontline officer. The next phase of the CBSA hiring process is a phase of training takes place at the CBSA College.
Step 4: In-residence training at the Canada Border Services College in Rigaud, Quebec (weekly allowance)
The next phase of the CBSA hiring process is the OITP, the in-residence training held at the Canada Border Services College in Rigaud, Quebec. This 14-week program runs from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with training sessions during evenings, weekends, and statutory holidays as needed.
During this phase, officer trainees will receive instruction in the following areas:
- Primary inspection process
- Secondary inspection process
- Immigration procedures
- Regulations concerning food, plants, and animals
- Customs operations
- Agency policies, procedures, and relevant legislation
- Procedures for seizure, detention, personal search, and arrest
- Determining the admissibility of individuals and goods
- Defensive tactics
- Firearms training
Step 5: Paid on-the-job-training
After completing the in-residence OITP training, trainees transition to the Officer Induction Development Program (OIDP). This 12- to 18-month on-the-job development phase is undertaken as a CBSA officer trainee (FB-02) at the assigned port of entry, determined through the Duty Placement Process.
The OIDP is a performance- and competency-based program designed to provide a structured developmental pathway. It includes hands-on job functions, skill-building, learning opportunities, coaching, and constructive feedback. Upon completing the OIDP, trainees are appointed as border services officers.
In closing, applicants that have successfully navigated the CBSA hiring process often say to me I’m proud of being a CBSA officer for the following reasons.
- Serving Canada: As a CBSA officer, I would take pride in protecting Canada’s borders, ensuring the safety and security of the nation and its citizens.
- Upholding Integrity: The role demands honesty, fairness, and professionalism, values I would be proud to uphold every day.
- Making a Difference: By enforcing laws and facilitating legitimate trade and travel, I contribute to the growth and prosperity of Canada.
- Promoting Justice: Protecting against illegal activity and supporting public safety fosters a strong sense of justice and duty.
- Personal Growth: The role offers me opportunities for continuous learning, leadership development, and the chance to work with a diverse team.
If this sounds like you and you successfully navigate the CBSA hiring process, be proud and I wish you well in your chosen career.