Reform of the physical tests for the territorial sports sector competitive examinations

Decree No. 2026-834 of August 28, 2026 (NOR ATDB2613076D), published in the Official Journal of the French Republic No. 0204 of September 2, 2026, reforms the physical tests for the competitive examinations for access to the employment frameworks of the territorial sports sector and the professional examination for territorial educators of physical and sporting activities. Signed by the Minister for Regional Planning and Decentralization, the text modifies four previous decrees and updates their references to the General Code of the Public Service.

A Reduced Test Duration

The decree shortens the physical test for the competitive examinations for access to the employment frameworks of the sports sector: the duration of twenty minutes is reduced to fifteen minutes. This simplification is accompanied by an update of the regulatory references, with the old mentions of the law of January 26, 1984, and the decree of November 20, 1985, being replaced by articles R. 325-91 to R. 325-95 and L. 325-19 and L. 325-20 of the General Code of the Public Service.

A Single Admission Test

For the external and internal competitive examinations for access to the employment frameworks of the sports sector, the first four paragraphs of the articles relating to the admission tests are deleted. The single admission test now consists of an interview, the duration of which is increased to twenty-five minutes for the internal competition.

The optional test must now be chosen from two options, with the choice being made during registration and becoming final after the closing of registrations:

• a physical test comprising, at the candidate’s choice, a swimming course or a running test (coefficient 1);
• an oral modern language test (coefficient 1), consisting of the translation of a text into French followed by a conversation, lasting fifteen minutes after a preparation period of the same duration.

The languages offered are English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Modern Arabic, and Greek.

Exemption for Pregnant or Breastfeeding Candidates

The decree establishes an exemption from the physical test for pregnant candidates, those benefiting from the legal postnatal period, as well as women breastfeeding beyond this period, upon simple request and presentation of a medical certificate establishing their condition. Candidates benefiting from this exemption are credited with a grade equal to the average of the grades obtained by all candidates in the competition in which they are participating. The same exemption is open to candidates holding the medical certificate provided for in Article 1 of Decree No. 2008-800 of August 20, 2008.

Scope of the Text

Competitions opened before the decree came into force shall continue until their completion under the conditions set by their opening order. The text, which directly concerns candidates for territorial civil service competitions, streamlines the admission process while guaranteeing equal access for candidates who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is executed by the Minister for Regional Planning and Decentralization and the Minister for Sports, Youth and Community Life.

Source : Decree No. 2026-834 of August 28, 2026 (NOR ATDB2613076D), JORF No. 0204 of September 2, 2026.