Medical / Vision Standards
Our Officer Vision Standards
Please read the following information to ensure that you meet the minimum vision standards. San Jose Police Department vision standards are based on California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) guidelines. If you need more detailed information, please call Medical Services at
(408) 794-1250.
Uncorrected vision:
- If you do not wear glasses or contact lenses, and have not had any vision-related surgery or medical procedures, the vision standard is: 20/40 or better (assessed for both eyes together).
Glasses:
- Your vision, with your glasses on, must be 20/20 (assessed for both eyes together).
- Your vision, without your glasses, must be 20/40 (assessed for both eyes together).
Soft Contacts:
- One year of successful use prior to the examination.
- Your vision, wearing contact lenses, must be 20/20 (assessed for both eyes together).
- Your vision, without your contacts, must be 20/200 (at least 20/200 in weaker eye)
RK Surgery:
- All post-op records must be submitted for review.
- No significant difficulty with glare or night vision.
- No indications that uncorrected far acuity will be significantly degraded within the next 2 to 3 years by progressive hyperopia.
- No significant diurnal instability in visual testing or function.
- Minimum elapsed time between surgery and qualifying examination:
- 6 months, if examined prior to your 35th birthday.
- 1 year, if examined after your 35th birthday.
Laser, Lasik, Lasik Surgery:
- Minimum elapsed time between surgery and examination: 3 months.
- Written certification required from ophthalmologist stating that visions stable and that there was no significant postoperative complications.
- Reevaluation will be required for those candidates who had significant postoperative problems.
Orthokeratology:
- This procedure is unacceptable, and must have been discontinued for at least 12 months prior to examination. Evaluation will be on a case-by-case basis.
Color vision:
- Candidates who fail the PIP test must pass the Farnsworth D-15 with no more than one major crossing error.
- Use of rose-colored lenses (e.g. "X-Chrom") is not permitted during testing