USAJOBS Typing Test: What Federal Jobs Ask for 40 WPM
Federal clerical jobs with a typing requirement, such as Clerk-Typist and Office Automation positions, ask for a typing speed of 40 words per minute, measured on a 5-minute sample with three or fewer errors. Under the qualification standards of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), you can show that skill by passing a performance test, by presenting a certificate of proficiency from an organization authorized by OPM, or by self-certifying. Self-certifying is not a free pass, though: the hiring agency can give you a typing test to check it.
This article covers only federal positions. If you are looking at private-sector or general office jobs, our guide to typing tests for jobs in the US explains how employers measure gross and net speed.
Which federal jobs require a typing test?
Most federal jobs have no typing requirement at all. The ones that do are clerical and administrative support positions where typing is part of the daily work. The clearest case is the Clerk-Typist series (0322): OPM's qualification guidance for the Clerk-Typist series lists 40 words per minute for Clerk-Typist positions at GS-2 to GS-4. The Office Automation Clerical and Assistance series (0326) carries the same 40 WPM figure, this time at any grade, and its classification standard describes the work as combining office software knowledge with "competitive level proficiency in typing."
The requirement also travels beyond those two series. Many jobs in other series take it on through a parenthetical title, so on USAJOBS you will see postings such as Secretary (Office Automation), Legal Assistant (Office Automation), Medical Support Assistant (Office Automation) or Administrative Support Assistant (Office Automation). Each of them inherits the 40 WPM standard.
A few neighboring roles use different numbers. OPM sets 20 or 25 words per minute for Data Transcriber grades, depending on the grade, and Clerk-Stenographers need 40 WPM typing plus a dictation speed of 80 or 120 words per minute. If your target job is one of these, read the requirement in its announcement instead of assuming 40. The quickest check is always the job title and the "Qualifications" section: if you see "(Office Automation)" or "(Typing)", plan for 40 WPM.
How do you prove typing speed for a federal job?
Federal clerical hiring changed in 2001, when OPM's memorandum MSG 2001-043 eliminated the written test requirement for clerical and administrative support positions and let agencies choose their own assessment methods, from work samples to structured interviews. Typing proficiency, however, still has to be shown, and OPM's standards allow three routes:
| Route | What it means | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Performance test | You take a typing test given or arranged by the agency. | OPM says results are acceptable for 3 years. |
| Certificate of proficiency | A certificate from a school or other organization authorized by the OPM local office to issue such certificates. | Also acceptable for 3 years. A general online certificate is not the same thing. |
| Self-certification | You state in your application or questionnaire that you can type at the required speed. | Agencies may verify self-certified applicants with a performance test. |
In practice, most announcements on USAJOBS ask you to self-certify in the online assessment questionnaire. Recent Office Automation postings, for an Aviation Safety Assistant and for a Secretary, spell out the standard as 40 words per minute on a 5-minute sample with three or fewer errors, and an Administrative Assistant (Office Automation) posting warns that a typing test may be required later. Announcements close and get replaced, so always read the one you are actually applying to.
What matters most is that each agency runs its own process. Some test every finalist, some test only when they doubt a self-certification, and the software, text and scoring rules are theirs. For that reason, never self-certify a speed you cannot reproduce under test conditions: if the agency checks and you fall short, you may lose that opportunity.
What counts as 40 net WPM, and why do errors matter so much?
Job typing tests usually report net speed, which is your raw speed with a penalty for errors. The exact formula depends on the test, and that is why the announcement's wording matters as much as the WPM figure. When the rule caps errors at three over five minutes, a fast but careless attempt can fail even with a speed well above 40. A careful typist at 45 WPM with two errors is in a far stronger position than someone at 60 WPM with six.
Correction habits matter too. Some tests let you use Backspace and others do not, and fixing a mistake always costs a few seconds. Practice both ways so neither setup surprises you on the day.
How should you practice for a 5-minute federal typing test?
A 5-minute test is mostly about consistency. Most people can sprint for 30 seconds; holding accuracy for five full minutes is the hard part. Start by taking a 5-minute typing test and writing down both your net WPM and your number of errors, because that pair of figures is what the agency will look at.
If you look at the keyboard or type with two fingers, the fastest long-term fix is touch typing. A structured free typing course teaches the home row and finger assignments step by step, and it usually pays off within a few weeks of short daily sessions. While you rebuild technique, slow down until you can type a full paragraph with almost no errors, then raise the pace gradually. Speed built on accurate habits holds up under pressure; speed built on guessing does not.
Day to day, short targeted typing exercises on the letters and words you miss most are more useful than repeating full tests. Save the full 5-minute test for a few times a week, where it builds stamina and shows whether your error count stays low in the last minute, when fatigue sets in. It also helps to practice the kind of text federal tests tend to use: workplace prose with capital letters, punctuation and numbers, which is what our civil service-style typing test provides.
Finally, train for a cushion. Nerves, an unfamiliar keyboard and a different passage usually cost some speed on test day, so aim for a point where 40 net WPM sits comfortably below your normal result. And keep in mind that any practice score, including ours, only tells you how ready you are. The result that counts is the one from the agency's own test.
Where Kluppy fits
Kluppy is one option for preparing. It runs in the browser, works on Chromebooks, needs nothing installed and has no ads. The typing test, with 1-, 3- and 5-minute options, and the exercises are free and need no sign-up. A free account adds the finger-placement level and levels 1 to 7 of the course, with no card required; paid plans, from level 8, add AI-generated exercises built from your own errors.
If you want a typing speed certificate, think of it as a verifiable record of your score for your resume or LinkedIn. It is not a certificate of proficiency from an OPM-authorized organization, Kluppy is not affiliated with OPM or any federal agency, and no agency is obliged to take it into account. Follow the job announcement's instructions for showing your typing skill.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a typing test on USAJOBS itself?
No. USAJOBS is the federal job board and does not run a single typing test for all jobs. Each hiring agency decides how to assess applicants, and many announcements ask you to self-certify in the questionnaire while warning that the agency may test you later.
How many WPM do I need for a federal clerical job?
For Clerk-Typist and Office Automation positions, and for jobs with "(Typing)" or "(Office Automation)" in the title, OPM's standards list 40 words per minute on a 5-minute sample with three or fewer errors. Data Transcriber roles use lower figures, so check the specific announcement.
Can I self-certify my typing speed?
Often yes. OPM's standards allow self-certification, but agencies may verify it with a performance test. Only self-certify a speed you can reliably reach on a 5-minute test with very few errors.
Will an online typing certificate count for a federal job?
Do not assume it will. OPM's standards refer to certificates from organizations authorized by the OPM local office, which is not the same as a general online certificate. Use online tests to practice and follow the announcement's instructions to show proficiency.