USPS Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide

A complete walkthrough from creating your account to your first day on the job.

Before You Start: Which Website?

This is the #1 source of confusion. USPS has two separate application websites, and you need to use the right one:

  • jobs.usps.com — For CCA (City Carrier Assistant), MHA (Mail Handler Assistant), and PSE Sales & Services positions
  • USPS eCareer Portal — For RCA (Rural Carrier Associate), ARC, Maintenance, Driving, and all other positions

If you apply on the wrong site, you won't find the job you're looking for. This is USPS's system — confusing, but it is what it is.

Applying on the eCareer portal? It's an older, more confusing system. We wrote a detailed eCareer Portal walkthrough with step-by-step instructions and tips.

Step 1: Create Your Profile

Go to the correct website for your desired position and create an account. You'll need:

  • Valid email address
  • Social Security number
  • Address and contact information
  • 7 years of work history (you must account for all gaps — even if you were unemployed, list what you were doing)

Step 2: Search for Openings

Search by zip code for openings in your area. Pro tips:

  • Search surrounding zip codes too — not just your city. Nearby offices may have openings your local one doesn't.
  • Openings post and close quickly. Check frequently — daily if you can.
  • Apply to multiple locations simultaneously to increase your chances.
  • Peak hiring season is September-November (for holiday coverage), but USPS hires year-round.

Step 3: Complete the Application

The application itself is straightforward but detailed:

  • Basic personal information
  • Complete work history for the past 7 years
  • Availability (select as much availability as possible — being flexible helps)
  • Military service (veterans get preference)
  • Education (a high school diploma/GED is typically the minimum)

Step 4: Take the Assessment Exam

After applying, you'll be invited to take the Virtual Entry Assessment (VEA). The exam code depends on the position:

  • 474 — CCA (City Carrier Assistant)
  • 475 — MHA / Mail Processing Clerk
  • 476 — PSE Sales & Services
  • 477 — RCA (Rural Carrier Associate)

What to know about the assessment:

  • It's administered online — you take it from home
  • Multiple choice questions about work scenarios and situational judgment
  • It is not a knowledge test — no math or reading comprehension
  • Scored 0-100, passing is 70+
  • Your score matters — higher scores mean higher ranking in the candidate pool and faster offers
  • Can be retaken after a waiting period if you don't pass or want to improve your score
  • Take it seriously: quiet environment, no distractions, take your time

Step 5: Wait for an Offer

This is the hard part — waiting. Here's what to expect:

  • "Pre-Hire List" status means you passed the assessment and are in the candidate pool. It is not a job offer.
  • "Offer Phase — Ext" means an offer is being prepared
  • This process can take weeks to months. It's normal.
  • Don't panic if you don't hear back right away. USPS hiring is slow.
  • Applying to multiple locations increases your chances of a faster offer.

Step 6: Background Check & Drug Test

Once you receive a conditional job offer, you'll need to:

  • Pass a criminal background check — felonies may disqualify you, but not always. Be honest on your application.
  • Pass a drug test — this is a urinalysis. USPS is a federal employer, so marijuana is NOT allowed even in states where it's legal recreationally.
  • Driving record check (for carrier positions) — need a clean record, no DUIs, minimal moving violations

Important: A "conditional job offer" is NOT a final hire. Don't quit your current job until you have a firm start date and have passed all checks.

Step 7: Orientation

Once you're officially hired, orientation typically includes:

  • 3-5 days of classroom training
  • Paperwork, ID badges, uniform information
  • Safety training
  • Paid — you're on the clock from day one of orientation
  • Dress: business casual for the first day. You'll receive uniform allowance information during orientation.

Step 8: Training and First Days

After orientation:

  • Both CCAs and RCAs: Must attend orientation AND pass the driving exam/course (usually 1-2 days) before starting training.
  • CCAs: Attend CCA Academy (classroom + carrier-specific training), then shadow experienced carriers before running your own route.
  • RCAs: Attend REACT Academy (rural carrier academy), then shadow experienced rural carriers and start covering days off.
  • MHAs/PSEs: On-the-job training at your facility.

Understanding Work Tours (Shifts)

If you're applying for a plant or facility position (PSE Mail Processing, MHA, some Maintenance roles), you need to understand how USPS schedules work. Instead of calling them "shifts," USPS calls them "tours." There are three:

Tour 1 (Night/Overnight): ~11:00 PM – 7:30 AM

  • This is when most mail gets processed and sorted
  • Highest volume of work happens on this tour
  • Most new PSE Mail Processing and MHA positions start here
  • If you're applying for a plant job, expect to work nights initially

Tour 2 (Day): ~7:00 AM – 3:30 PM

  • Administrative staff, some maintenance, dispatch operations
  • Generally the most desirable tour — hardest to get as a new hire
  • You'll likely need seniority to bid onto this tour

Tour 3 (Evening/Afternoon): ~3:00 PM – 11:30 PM

  • Mix of processing and dispatch
  • Second busiest tour after Tour 1
  • Common starting tour for new hires alongside Tour 1

Important things to know about tours:

  • Exact times vary by facility — these are approximate
  • As a non-career employee (PSE, MHA), you typically don't get to choose your tour
  • Your tour can change with little notice, especially during peak season (November-January)
  • Once you convert to career, you can bid on preferred tours based on seniority
  • "Tour preference" is one of the biggest perks of gaining seniority
  • Some job postings will specify the tour — read the posting carefully

Why this matters: A lot of people apply for plant jobs not realizing they'll be working overnight. If you can't work nights, a plant position may not be the right fit — at least not initially. Carrier positions (CCA, RCA) are daytime work by comparison.

Your First 90 Days: Probation

This is critical. Your first 90 working days are a probationary period. During this time:

  • You can be let go without cause
  • DO NOT call out unless it's a genuine emergency
  • Be on time, be reliable, work hard
  • Management is watching your attendance and performance closely
  • After probation, you're covered by the union and have much stronger job protection

Timeline Summary

A realistic timeline for the entire process:

  • Application to assessment: 1-2 weeks
  • Assessment to pre-hire list: 1-3 weeks
  • Pre-hire list to conditional offer: 2 weeks to several months
  • Background check + drug test: 1-3 weeks
  • Offer to orientation start date: 1-4 weeks
  • Total: Typically 1-4 months from application to first day, but it can be longer. Be patient.