A: The testing fee is $135, which includes (2) orientations, (2) practice sessions,
and (1) official test. The fee is not per test; it is per three tests.
A: Yes. There are (3) discounts:
Financial hardship (100% fee discount)
Military veteran (20% fee discount)
Fire science graduates (VU alumni - 100% fee waiver; all other accredited programs
- 15% fee waiver).
A: Orientation sessions provide candidates with the following opportunities:
Candidates will be given a site specific walk-through
Candidates will have access to proctors and support personnel providing general overview
of course events, including course layout, proper event techniques and mistakes,
and completion strategies
Candidates will be shown the Gibson CPAT course and have hands-on access to all course
equipment and props
Practice sessions are test simulations and provides candidates with the following
advantages:
Candidates will learn their physical readiness to perform an official test
Candidates will be observed by course proctors, who can offer advice on event strategies
and and support personnel providing general overview of course events, including course
layout, proper event techniques and mistakes, and completion strategies
A: Candidates are strongly encouraged to participate in an orientation.
A: Candidates will report to the VU Gibson Center in Fort Branch, Indiana, for all
CPAT activities. Orientations and test are both in the CPAT Lab.
Address: 8100 South U.S. Highway 41 Fort Branch, Indiana 47648
A: Yes, the results from a practice test can be used for official results. However,
the candidate must meet the testing dress code (pants, proper shoes), the test must
be completed correctly and within the required time frame; and there must be enough
proctors on-site to properly monitor the test.
A: Yes, the CPAT lab will often be available during business days - interested candidates
should coordinate with VU staff to determine available times. Call 812-888-2871 for
questions.
A: If a candidate fails to appear for an official test, the candidate forfeits the
testing fee.
A: The initial round of testing (3 total attempts) is $135.00; any subsequent round
of testing (3 attempts) for the candidate is $80.00.
A: To order a replacement cert, call (812) 888-2871 or email your request to gibson@vinu.edu.
A: Yes, it is possible to re-certify. A candidate must provide a valid and current
CPAT card that was earned from a licensed facility within the last 12 months. If
yes, the candidate can pay the recertification fee ($80); if the candidate passes
the test successfully, the university will issue a VU CPAT certificate.
A: Yes, our location is 15 minutes north of the Evansville Regional Airport, which has daily flights to/from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, and
Orlando.
A: Yes, we allow candidates from other states to test at our facility. As of April 2026,
we have hosted candidates from 30 states (Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio,
Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Texas,
Wisconsin, California, Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, Florida, Virginia,
Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, West Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, New York, Iowa, Vermont,
and New Hampshire).
