What it is
Color blindness, also called color vision deficiency, means a person sees certain colors differently than most people do. It is often inherited and is more common in men, though anyone can be affected. It usually involves difficulty telling apart some reds, greens, or, less often, blues and yellows.
Types are commonly grouped as protan (red-related), deutan (green-related) and tritan (blue-yellow related). Severity ranges from mild to more significant, so two people with color blindness can have very different everyday experiences.
Police requirements are the standards a law enforcement agency sets for applicants, and they sometimes include a color vision screening. Tasks such as identifying suspect or vehicle descriptions, reading signals, or recognizing warning lights are the reasons an agency may care about color perception.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Many agencies have traditionally included a vision screening as part of the hiring process, often alongside a medical review. Color vision has commonly been checked with printed plate tests, where a person reads numbers or shapes hidden in patterns of colored dots.
Some agencies accept certain results, use different test types, or look at how an applicant handles real-world tasks. Others have different rules for different roles. Standards vary by agency, state, and country, and they are updated from time to time.
Because of this, there is no single rule that applies everywhere. The only dependable source is the specific agency or hiring authority you are applying to, which can tell you its current requirements and any process for reviewing results.
How the right doctor may help
A provider who offers comprehensive or occupational color vision testing may be able to check how you see color and help you understand which type and severity you may have. A visit generally starts with a conversation about your history and goals, followed by one or more color vision tests. The provider can then explain what the results may mean.
If you are applying to a police agency, a provider may help you understand the kind of test your target agency uses and talk through your results in plain language. They cannot change an agency's rules, and they cannot promise any outcome with a hiring process.
Good questions to ask include: Which type of color vision difference do I have, and how severe is it? Which tests do you use, and are they like the ones my agency uses? Can you provide documentation of my results? Please also ask about color-enhancing filter glasses or contact lenses. These do not cure color blindness or restore normal color vision, how well they work varies by type and severity, and an agency may not allow them during testing.
The whole-person view
Waiting on a career decision can be stressful, and stress can affect sleep, focus, and how the body feels. Body, mind, and everyday pressures influence one another, so caring for the whole person can matter during a big career step. Many people find that learning the facts about their own vision eases some of the uncertainty.
If a result is disappointing, it is natural to feel frustrated or worried about the future. Somatic Experiences offers body-based support for stress, and Therapists.plus can connect you with talk therapy if you want help working through the emotions. These are optional resources, not requirements.
Keep in mind
- This page is educational only and is not medical advice; a licensed clinician decides what testing or products are appropriate after an evaluation.
- Police color vision standards vary by agency and change over time, so always confirm current requirements directly with the specific employer or hiring authority.
- Color-enhancing glasses and contact lenses do not cure color blindness or give normal color vision, and some agencies do not permit them during testing.
- If you are in an emergency, call 911; if you are in emotional crisis, call or text 988.
Not sure where to start? Answer a few gentle questions and choose who you’d like to hear from.
Frequently asked questions
Can you be a police officer if you are color blind?
It depends on the agency, the role, and the type and severity of color vision difference. Some agencies set strict standards, while others are more flexible or review applicants individually. Confirm current requirements with the specific department you want to join.
What are the color blindness police requirements?
There is no single national standard, so color blindness police requirements vary by agency and can change. Many include a color vision screening as part of the medical or vision review. Ask the agency's hiring office for its current written policy.
What color vision test do police departments use?
Many departments have traditionally used plate-style tests, in which you identify numbers or shapes hidden in colored dots. Some use other test types, and the choice varies by agency. The hiring office can tell you which test it uses.
Do color blind glasses help you pass a police color vision test?
Not reliably, and they should not be counted on. Color blind glasses and lenses do not cure color blindness or restore normal color vision, and effectiveness varies by type and severity. Many testing settings also have their own rules about using them, so ask the agency and a provider.
Who can test my color vision for a law enforcement job?
Providers who offer comprehensive or occupational color vision testing may be able to help. They can explain your results and may provide documentation. Check first whether your agency requires testing by a particular source.
Can I appeal or retest if I fail a color vision test for police work?
Some agencies have a review or retest process, but policies differ. Ask the agency directly what options exist and what documentation it accepts. A provider can help you understand your results, though they cannot guarantee any outcome.
Educational resource. Colorblind Glasses shares general information and connects people with independent doctors. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.