The Navy Physical Readiness Test

Physical fitness is a big part of life in the Navy. It’s required. To ensure the fleet stays mission ready, each sailor regularly takes the Physical Readiness Test to make sure they can meet the physical demands of military service.

The Navy regularly reviews and updates the PRT and changes components as needed to improve the physical performance of sailors while reducing their risk of injury.

How the Navy PRT works

What is the Navy Physical Readiness Test? The PRT measures muscular endurance and aerobic capacity. It also includes a body composition assessment measuring height/weight, abdominal circumference and body fat. The Navy conducts PRT twice a year for all active-duty and reserve sailors, and recruits at boot camp are also evaluated.

The PRT has three events: push-ups, forearm plank and a 1.5-mile timed run. The alternate cardio options to the 1.5-mile outdoor run/walk include the following: a timed 500-yard swim, 12-minute stationary cycle, or 1.5-mile run/walk on a treadmill. Your commanding officer can choose to permit alternate cardio.

• 1.5-mile run: Run 1.5 miles as quickly as possible.
• 500-yard swim (alternate cardio): Swim as quickly as possible.
• Stationary cycle (alternate cardio): Burn the maximum calories possible in 12 minutes.
• 1.5-mile treadmill: Run/walk for best time.
• Push-ups: Do as many push-ups as you can in two minutes.
• Forearm plank: Hold the proper position for the forearm plank for as long as you can or until time is up.

How the Navy scores the PRT

PRT scoring has five categories – (1) outstanding (levels: high, medium, low); (2) excellent (levels: high, medium, low); (3) good (levels: high, medium, low); (4) satisfactory: (levels: high, medium) and (5) probationary. To pass the PRT, you must achieve a score of probationary or higher in all three events.

Check to see the latest updates from the Navy on how the exercises are used and scored in the PRT.

Other rules for the Navy PRT

Additional rules to help sailors with the PRT include:

• If you experience unusual distress or fatigue during the test, members will be directed to seek medical attention and may subsequently be authorized a Bad Day makeup before you complete or fail the test. This keeps you safe by letting you retake the test once you receive medical clearance.
• If you pass the body composition assessment and score an overall excellent low or better on the physical readiness test, you may possibly receive validation on the subsequent Physical Fitness Assessment cycle and skip the PRT, if you pass the BCA and are within the age-adjusted standards.

Support to prepare for the Navy PRT

The Navy offers several free tools to help you prepare for the PRT, as well as maintain your health and fitness.

• Official Navy PFA focuses on health and fitness, including good nutrition, meal plans and training videos for bettering your form and time on the PRT.
• Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling System is a series of apps that provides best-in- class physical fitness and nutrition information for sailors with different fitness objectives and in different training situations. NOFFS includes:
  • Strength Series to develop the strength needed to perform at the highest levels.
  • Endurance Series to develop cardiovascular fitness while improving muscular strength.
  • Sandbag Series for training in environments with limited equipment options.
  • Operational Series with training plans for different Navy platforms: submarines, large-deck and small-deck ships, and group training.

Military OneSource can connect you to resources you need to meet your fitness goals, including things like workouts at your installation’s fitness center and health and wellness coaches.