CBSA Testing Timeline 2025 Guide

If you’re planning to apply to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in 2025, understanding the recruitment timeline is essential. Many candidates underestimate how long and multi-staged the process is—and that can lead to missed opportunities or poorly timed preparation. To help you out, here's the CBSA testing timeline 2025 guide!

At Cognitive Results, we’ve been helping applicants succeed since 2005, and we know exactly what to expect and how to prepare for each phase. In this post, we’ll walk you through the CBSA hiring process, stage by stage, with real-world timeframes and tips.

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the CBSA Officer Trainee – Developmental Program (FB-02) application path:

1. Online Application & Resume Screening

2. Online Entrance Exam (OTEE)

3. Interview (Behavioral + Situational)

4. Reference Check & Security Clearance

5. Medical, Psychological, and Background Screening

6. Pool Placement + Training Invitation

Keep in mind: timelines vary, but here’s a typical path based on recent applicant experiences and updates from the CBSA.

Once applications open, expect a few weeks of silence while your resume and qualifications are reviewed.

Tip: Have your documents ready early (language scores, transcripts, etc.).


Once screened in, you’ll receive an invite to complete the CBSA OTEE, which tests reasoning, reading, and writing skills.

Tip: Give yourself at least 2–3 weeks to prep. Don’t assume you’ll “wing it”—the OTEE is timed and tricky. You definitely can increase your scores with our CBSA OTEE program.


If you pass the OTEE, expect a structured interview via video or in-person. This evaluates your judgment, communication, and behavioral competencies.

Tip: Many fail here by giving vague or overrehearsed answers. Use our coaching to nail this. We've been doing this for a long time.


This phase takes time. Your CBSA background investigation, security clearance, credit checks, and other screenings (including psychological and medical) may take weeks or months.

Tip: Prep early for the psych interview—it’s not just a checkbox. We see many applicants stumble here.


If successful, you’re placed in a selection pool and may wait for months before being invited to training.

Tip: Keep your phone and email accessible. Be prepared for calls from numbers that you don't recognize. Offers can come suddenly—but only if your file is complete.


"Thanks it went very well waiting on next steps. No surprises. Thank you so much. (Coaching client West coast service interview.)" March 20, 2025

"Hi Gillian, I wanted to thank you officially for all of your help through the XXX police process (West coast service). The ETHOS program was so thorough and raised my confidence. I landed an interview that you helped me prepare for with your excellent coaching. The coaching helped me with my delivery and answers but, more importantly, got me thinking and talking in the right ways to project my accurate answers with confidence. I can't recommend you enough! Thank you so much!" March 12, 2025

"Hi Gillian, I have some great news to share. I was successful in the interview for CBSA and will be moving to the next steps of the selection process. I had my interview Friday and I found out today. Thank you again for all your teaching they were extremely informative. I also passed along your website to ... I will continue to pass along your site to anyone I meet that can utilize the information. I don’t know when I’ll be doing the psych part yet but I will be studying." March 5, 2025

"Thank you for all of your help and support through this process! To recap I received my offer with XXX two weeks ago for the March intake at OPC. I know that all of the studying I did on your website has also prepared me for the next stage. Everything you teach is accurate and well worth the investment. I am glad I found you and got all of the guidance I needed along the way, including coaching. I will be recommending you in the future to other police applicants - you are the best!" February 16, 2025

"Thank you so much, I really appreciate your help and support. I have passed the (CBSA) exam with a good score. Sample exams were really helpful! (Client will be using the Interview Program and Coaching next.)" January 27, 2025

"Cognitive Results and Gillian were very helpful with the application process. The interview prep helped tremendously, having the video teaching along with the modules complement each other extremely well. The one-on-one coaching sessions were very helpful. Gillian took her time and I found the one-on-one coaching sessions prepared me well for my interview. Thank you again for all your help! " January 26, 2025

"Thank you! You've been the most help! I couldn't have done any of this without you. I'm so happy I reached out via email for help. (Client is all the way through and waiting for final papers to sign. Client had coaching for the interview and for the psych interview.)" January 7, 2025

• Start preparing for the OTEE and interview now

• Get familiar with the full CBSA process—not just the first test

• Don’t wait for the invite to start studying—be ready when it comes

With decades of experience, we help CBSA applicants succeed with:

• Targeted OTEE practice and strategy

• Structured interview prep and mock questions

• Psych interview coaching and emotional readiness

• Realistic timelines and applicant support

Contact Cognitive Results today and take the guesswork out of the CBSA process.

The CBSA process takes time—but the candidates who succeed are the ones who plan ahead. By understanding the timeline and preparing early, you’ll be ready for every step, not just the first.

Start today. Prepare with purpose. Move forward with confidence.