Standards guide
How Often Do Marines Take the PFT?
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6 min
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PFT Standards
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Updated
22 October 2026
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PFT requirements
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Quick answer
Marines take one official PFT each calendar year, between 1 January and 30 June, and one CFT between 1 July and 31 December (MCO 6100.13A). Extra attempts are allowed within the season to improve a score, and every official attempt is recorded. Light duty and routine deployments do not cancel the requirement.
For every passing rule in one place, see the USMC PFT standards page.
The calendar
One PFT and one CFT every calendar year
The PFT is run from 1 January to 30 June, the CFT from 1 July to 31 December.
MCO 6100.13A splits the year into two halves. The PFT must be done between 1 January and 30 June, and the CFT between 1 July and 31 December. Each Marine therefore takes one official PFT and one official CFT per calendar year. When the order says "semi-annual", it means these two halves, not two PFTs.
| Test | Season | Required |
|---|---|---|
| PFT | 1 January – 30 June | Once per calendar year |
| CFT | 1 July – 31 December | Once per calendar year |
Your command sets the actual test dates inside each season. Official tests are only run in their own season, so a PFT in August does not count. To see how the two tests differ, read PFT vs CFT.
Attempts
Can you take the PFT more than once?
Yes, within the same season — and every official attempt is recorded.
The order allows Marines to take more than one PFT during the season to improve their score. Only a command-approved test monitored by a Force Fitness Instructor or test coordinator counts, and every official attempt goes into MCTIMS, whether the score is higher, lower or the same.
Before you ask for another attempt, check what it would take to move up. The Marine Corps PFT calculator shows how many points one more pull-up or a faster run would add.
Exceptions
Injuries, pregnancy and deployments
Light duty and routine deployments do not cancel the yearly requirement.
Light or limited duty. A Marine who cannot do one event may take a Partial PFT (PPFT), which requires two of the three events. A Marine who missed the test for medical reasons takes it 30 to 90 days after returning to full duty. Doing a PPFT for two years in a row for the same condition leads to a medical board referral.
Pregnancy. Marines are exempt during pregnancy, the post-partum convalescent period and for 12 months after the birth.
Deployments. Deployment to a combat zone with hostile fire pay is an exemption. Routine UDP or MEU deployments without hostile fire pay are not.
Reserve. For Selected Marine Corps Reserve and IMA Marines the PFT is a scored annual requirement. Activated Reserve Marines follow the active component rules. Ask your unit how it schedules the CFT.
If you fail
What a failed test means for the schedule
A failure is dealt with in the period it happens, and the next year counts too.
A failed PFT makes the fitness report adverse, places the Marine in a promotion-restricted status until a test is passed, and requires a 6105 counseling entry. After passing a retest, the Marine is credited with the minimum passing score until the next period.
Failing the same test again the following year means the Marine is considered for administrative separation, even if a retest in between was passed. The full picture is in what happens if you fail the PFT, and the passing rules are on the Marine Corps PFT standards page.
Calculate your PFT score
Enter pull-ups or push-ups, plank time, and 3-mile run or 5K row for an instant total.
Calculate your CFT score
Score Movement to Contact, Ammo Can Lifts, and Maneuver Under Fire out of 300.
Help
Frequently asked questions
Answers specific to this guide — not duplicated from the calculator or standards pages.
How many PFTs do Marines take per year?
One official PFT per calendar year, taken between 1 January and 30 June. Marines may make extra attempts within that season to improve their score.
When is the CFT?
Between 1 July and 31 December each year, once per calendar year.
Does a PFT in August count?
No. Official PFTs are only run in their own season, 1 January to 30 June.
Do all attempts go on my record?
Yes. Every official PFT or CFT attempt is entered into MCTIMS, whether the score is higher, lower or the same as before.
Do Reserve Marines take the PFT?
Yes. For SMCR and IMA Marines the PFT is a scored annual requirement, and activated Reserve Marines follow the active component rules.
Am I exempt while pregnant?
Yes. The order exempts Marines during pregnancy, the post-partum convalescent period and for 12 months after the birth.
Wrap-up
Conclusion
One PFT between January and June, one CFT between July and December, with extra attempts allowed inside each season. Light duty, routine deployments and a failed test do not reset that clock.
Mark your command's test dates, then check your current score in the PFT Calculator well before the season opens.
Keep reading
Related guides
Continue with these articles — each covers a different angle of USMC fitness scoring.