Welcome to PG&E's pre-employment page

Thank you for considering employment at PG&E!

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) requires job seekers and applicants to take pre-employment tests for a wide variety of jobs during the hiring process. Depending on the job, these may include tests of general ability, job-specific skills, job knowledge or work-related attitudes/behaviors. These tests fairly and efficiently evaluate job seekers and applicants and help to ensure those hired are likely to be successful and safe on the job. Tests used at PG&E are developed and validated based on rigorous legal and professional standards of test validation.


Internet Based Testing (IBT)

Four of our pre-employment tests -- the Physical Test Battery (PTB), Industrial Skills Test (IST), Clerical Test Battery (CTB), and Work Orientation Inventory (WOI) tests -- are now delivered online. If you are selected to move forward in the hiring process, you may be invited to take one or more of these tests online.

If you are invited to take these tests online, keep the following in mind:

  • You will receive a test key and instructions via email from our vendor
  • You will have 5 calendar days to take the test upon receiving the vendor’s email with test key; the test key will expire in 5 calendar days and cannot be extended
  • Complete the test as soon as possible in case you encounter technical difficulties
  • If you have technical difficulties, contact the vendor’s Technical Support right away
  • You are only permitted to have scratch paper and pencil/pen during the online test
  • If you receive duplicate invites to the same test, only take the test one time

Some positions commonly tested for include:

Clerical PositionsPhysical PositionsTechnical Positions
  • Administrative Clerk
  • HR Assistant
  • Service Representative
  • Utility Worker
  • Pre-Apprentice Lineman
  • Apprentice (all)
  • Mapping Technician
  • Scheduler
  • Engineering Estimator

Clerical Positions generally require the Clerical/Meter Reader Test Battery (CTB/MTB) and the Work Orientation Inventory (WOI).


Physical and Technical Positions generally require one or more of the following: the Physical Test Battery (PTB), Industrial Skills Test (IST), and the Work Orientation Inventory (WOI).

Job postings will list the specific tests required. More information to help you prepare for these tests is included further on this page.


Reasonable Accommodations
As an equal employment opportunity employer, PG&E is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to take the required pre-employment tests. If you believe you have limitations that may impact your pre-employment testing experience, you may request a reasonable accommodation. To ensure prompt handling of a reasonable accommodation request, please obtain a doctor certification of accommodation needed relevant to your request to minimize potential delays processing your online file and scheduling of your testing appointment.


Prepare for a Test Session
Depending on which test you are scheduled to take, assessments may be delivered online via the Internet or in-person in paper-based form. Review guides are available here:

Review the Test Preparation Guides

Retesting Policy
All pre-employment tests at PG&E allow you to retest after a waiting period. The retest schedule is as follows:

  • The second attempt must be no earlier than 90 days after the first attempt.
  • The third and subsequent attempts must be no earlier than 180 days after the previous attempt.

Attempt Limits

  • For tests measuring aptitude, behaviors, personality, attitudes, or general skills and abilities, the number of times an individual may retake the same test is unlimited.
  • For tests measuring job-specific knowledge, skills, or abilities, the number of times an individual may retake the same test is limited to three attempts for external candidates.

For complete details view the Retesting Policy (PDF, 170 KB) and FAQ - Retesting Policy (PDF, 101 KB).


Post-Offer Pre-Employment Screening
Additional screening that you need to go through before you can be hired at PG&E may include: