CJBAT · what it costs, checked Oct 21, 2026
CJBAT cost: $39 per attempt
The CJBAT test fee is $39 per attempt as of October 2026, paid by card when you book, and it is non-refundable. The law enforcement and corrections versions cost the same. There are no membership dues or registration charges on top, but every retake is a new fee, a late cancellation loses the one you paid, and study material is optional and sold separately.
- $39test fee, either version
- 3 tries per 12 monthseach one paid again
- 24 hours aheadto change without losing the fee
Every CJBAT charge, sourced
| Fact | Detail | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test fee | $39 per attempt, paid by card when you book; non-refundable | Pearson VUE: FDLE Basic Abilities Test candidate handbook (August 2025) | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Versions | Two disciplines: CJBATLEO (law enforcement officer) and CJBATCO (correctional officer) | Pearson VUE: FDLE Basic Abilities Test candidate handbook (August 2025) | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Retake rule | At most 3 attempts per discipline in any 12 months; book a retake 24 hours after a fail and pay the fee again | Florida Administrative Code R. 11B-35.0011 (Basic Abilities Test) · Pearson VUE: FDLE Basic Abilities Test candidate handbook (August 2025) | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Rescheduling | Cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before the exam, or the fee is lost | Pearson VUE: FDLE Basic Abilities Test candidate handbook (August 2025) | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Arrival | 15 minutes before the start; arrive late or without the right ID and you can't test and the fee is lost | Pearson VUE: FDLE Basic Abilities Test candidate handbook (August 2025) | Oct 21, 2026 |
| ID to bring | Two current IDs with a signature; the primary one must be a government-issued photo ID, and the names must match your registrationan expired ID is not accepted, with no grace period | Pearson VUE: FDLE Basic Abilities Test candidate handbook (August 2025) | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Excused absence | Illness, a death in the family, a disabling traffic accident, court or jury duty, military duty or weather; ask in writing, with proof, within 14 business days | Pearson VUE: FDLE Basic Abilities Test candidate handbook (August 2025) | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Canceled for weather | If the test is canceled for weather, you retest on another day at no extra cost | Pearson VUE: FDLE Basic Abilities Test candidate handbook (August 2025) | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Who can skip the test | Veterans and holders of an associate degree or higher need not take the BAT before a law enforcement academy; there is no exemption for correctionsthe degree exemption applies to applications on or after July 1, 2022 | Florida Administrative Code R. 11B-35.0011 (Basic Abilities Test) | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Prep from the test owner | IOS sells CJBAT study materials for each discipline on its web store | Pearson VUE: FDLE Basic Abilities Test candidate handbook (August 2025) | Oct 21, 2026 |
What retakes cost
At most 3 attempts per discipline in any 12 months; book a retake 24 hours after a fail and pay the fee again. Every attempt inside that limit is a full fee, with no discount for a retake. Rebooking the moment you're allowed can waste an attempt: the failing report shows which of Sections II and III went worst, and that is what to work on first.
If you're unsure between police and corrections, decide before you book. The two versions are separate exams with separate fees.
Two ways to lose the fee
- Changing too late. Cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before the exam, or the fee is lost. The fee can't be moved to another date or given to someone else.
- Not being let in. You need to be there 15 minutes early with the right ID: two current IDs with a signature; the primary one must be a government-issued photo ID, and the names must match your registration. Late, or with the wrong ID, you don't test and the fee is lost. Note that an expired ID is not accepted, with no grace period.
The exceptions are in the table above. An excused absence is Pearson VUE's decision, and it's final.
Who pays nothing
Some candidates don't take the BAT at all. Veterans and holders of an associate degree or higher need not take the BAT before a law enforcement academy; there is no exemption for corrections. A veteran heading for a corrections academy still tests and pays like everyone else.
Prep costs
None is required. IOS sells CJBAT study materials for each discipline on its web store, and the handbook points candidates there. We don't print those prices, because we couldn't check them on the store itself. Commercial study guides and course bundles are sold too.
The practice test on this site is free with no sign-up, and the study guide has a study order. Academy tuition is a separate cost, not covered here.
Practice before you pay for a seat
CJBAT practice app
More CJBAT practice questions with explanations, in a study app. Not affiliated with FDLE.
CJBAT cost, quick answers
How much does the CJBAT test cost?
$39 per attempt as of October 2026, paid by card when you book and non-refundable. It's the same for the law enforcement and the corrections version.
Do I pay again for a CJBAT retake?
Yes, the full fee every time, within a limit of 3 tries per 12 months for each discipline.
Can I get a refund if I can't make my CJBAT date?
The fee is non-refundable, but you keep it by moving or canceling the date 24 hours ahead. For an emergency, Pearson VUE can excuse the absence if you send a written request with proof within 14 business days.
Is the CJBAT free for veterans?
Veterans don't need it for a law enforcement academy, so there's nothing to pay. For a corrections academy there's no exemption, and the fee applies.