USMC PFT and CFT Minimum Score Requirements
If you’re preparing for the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT) or Combat Fitness Test (CFT), one of the first questions you may have is:
What is the minimum score I need to pass?
The answer depends on which test you are taking and, for the PFT, whether you are in a combat-arms Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS).
For most Marines, the traditional minimum total score is 150 points. However, Marines in designated combat-arms PMOSs are subject to a separate 210-point minimum PFT standard beginning January 1, 2026.
There is also an important per-event minimum, so your total score alone does not tell the entire story.
This guide explains the current PFT and CFT minimum requirements and how to check where you stand.
Last updated September 2026 — based on current Marine Corps guidance available at publication.
What Is the USMC PFT CFT Minimum Score?
For Marines using the standard PFT scoring system, 150 points is the traditional minimum total score for a passing classification.
The PFT has a maximum score of 300 points.
However, the total score is only one part of the qualification requirement. Your performance in individual events also matters.
Standard PFT structure
- Maximum total: 300 points
- Traditional minimum total: 150 points
- Three scored events
- Individual event minimums also apply under the applicable standards
The Marine Corps currently lists MCO 6100.13A W/ADMIN CH-5 as the governing PFT/CFT order.
Is 150 Points Enough to Pass the PFT?
For Marines subject to the standard scoring requirements, 150 points represents the traditional overall minimum.
But there is an important distinction:
An overall score of 150 or higher does not automatically mean that every possible qualification requirement has been satisfied.
Individual event requirements also matter.
For this reason, when using a PFT calculator, you should look at:
- Your score for each event
- Your total PFT score
- Any special standard that applies to your PMOS or situation
Do not look only at the final total.
The 40-Point Per-Event Requirement
The PFT scoring system includes a minimum score requirement for individual events.
A Marine cannot simply compensate for a very weak event with exceptionally high scores in the other two events.
For example, imagine a Marine performs extremely well in two events but falls below the applicable minimum in the third.
The high scores in the first two events do not simply erase the deficiency in the third event.
This is why checking event-by-event performance is an important part of PFT preparation.
Your calculator should therefore display both the individual event scores and the overall score.
2026 Combat-Arms PFT Minimum: 210 Points
Beginning January 1, 2026, Marines with designated combat-arms PMOSs are subject to a new PFT standard.
These Marines must achieve a minimum total PFT score of 210 points.
The Marine Corps describes this as a sex-neutral standard based on the male, age-normed PFT scoring standard in MCO 6100.13A.
The 210-point requirement represents 70% of the PFT’s 300 possible points.
Important distinction
The 210-point requirement is specifically a PFT requirement for Marines in designated combat-arms PMOSs.
It should not be presented as a blanket 210-point minimum for every Marine or as a general CFT minimum.
The Marine Corps has published a specific list of combat-arms PMOSs covered by the change.
Which Marines Are Subject to the 210-Point PFT Standard?
The 2026 policy identifies specific combat-arms PMOSs.
Examples include:
- 0302 — Infantry Officer
- 0311 — Rifleman
- 0313 — Light-Armored Reconnaissance Marine
- 0321 — Reconnaissance Marine
- 0331 — Machine Gunner
- 0341 — Mortarman
- 0352 — Antitank Missile Gunner
- 0369 — Infantry Unit Leader
- 0372 — Marine Raider
- 0802 — Field Artillery Officer
The complete list is specified in MARADMIN 613/25.
If you are unsure whether your PMOS is covered, confirm your status with your unit or personnel office rather than assuming that every Marine in a related occupational field is subject to the same standard.
What Happens If a Combat-Arms Marine Scores Below 210?
The 2026 policy states that combat-arms Marines who pass the PFT but do not achieve 210 points by the end of the reporting period will be placed in the remedial physical training program and may be subject to PMOS reclassification and/or promotion restriction.
The Marine Corps also specified interim administrative guidance concerning punitive or adverse actions while the new policy is being implemented.
Because administrative procedures can change, Marines should consult their chain of command and current Marine Corps guidance for their specific circumstances.
What Is the Minimum CFT Score?
The CFT is also scored out of 300 points.
For general CFT scoring, Marines should use the current official CFT tables and applicable requirements rather than assuming that the 2026 combat-arms PFT standard automatically applies to the CFT.
The 2026 Marine Corps announcement specifically identifies the 210-point requirement as a PFT standard for combat-arms PMOSs.
For that reason, your CFT calculator should not automatically display “210 minimum” simply because the user selects a combat-arms MOS.
Instead, the calculator should clearly distinguish between:
- Standard PFT requirements
- Combat-arms PFT requirements
- CFT requirements
PFT vs. CFT Minimums at a Glance
| Requirement | PFT | CFT |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum score | 300 | 300 |
| Traditional general minimum | 150 | 150 |
| Individual event requirements | Apply | Apply |
| 2026 combat-arms 210-point standard | Yes, for designated combat-arms PMOSs | Not identified as the same 210-point PFT requirement |
| Test purpose | General physical fitness | Combat-oriented functional fitness |
The 210-point requirement is specifically documented by the Marine Corps as a combat-arms PFT standard beginning January 1, 2026.
Minimum Score vs. a Strong PFT Score
There is an important difference between passing and achieving a high PFT score.
A minimum score tells you whether you have reached a required threshold.
It does not necessarily describe how strong your overall performance is.
Instead of asking only:
“Did I pass?”
you may also want to know:
- What is my current PFT score?
- Which event is holding my score back?
- How many points do I need to reach my target?
- How much improvement would I need in each event?
That’s where a PFT calculator becomes useful.
Rather than looking at one number, you can see how changes in pull-ups or push-ups, plank time, and running performance affect the overall result.
Does Age Change the Minimum Total Score?
The overall threshold itself should not be confused with the event scoring tables.
For Marines subject to the standard age- and sex-normed system, age affects how a particular event performance converts into points.
For example, the number of repetitions or running time required for a particular score can vary according to the applicable scoring table.
The combat-arms PFT standard introduced in 2026 uses the male, age-normed scoring standard rather than the previous sex-specific scoring approach.
This distinction is especially important when building a PFT calculator.
What Happens If You Fail the PFT or CFT?
The administrative consequences of an unsuccessful PFT or CFT can depend on the Marine’s circumstances, unit procedures, applicable orders, and whether the Marine is subject to a special standard.
For that reason, it is better not to describe every failed test as automatically producing the exact same administrative outcome.
If you receive an unsuccessful result, contact your chain of command, PFT/CFT coordinator, or appropriate administrative personnel for the current procedures that apply to you.
PFT and CFT Body Composition Considerations
PFT and CFT performance can also affect certain body-composition allowances.
Under current Marine Corps guidance, Marines who score 285 or higher on both the PFT and CFT may receive an allowance permitting up to:
- 26% body fat for males
- 36% body fat for females
subject to the applicable body-composition requirements.
The Marine Corps also provides an additional 1% body-fat allowance for Marines scoring 250 or higher on both the PFT and CFT, subject to the applicable maximum limits.
This is not a minimum PFT/CFT passing requirement. It is a separate body-composition consideration.
Why the 285-Point Number Matters
A score of 285 or higher is not required to pass the PFT or CFT.
Instead, it is a performance threshold that can affect the applicable body-composition allowance when the Marine also meets the required score on the other test.
For example:
PFT = 285
CFT = 270
The Marine does not meet the 285-on-both-tests condition.
But:
PFT = 285
CFT = 285
meets the score threshold described in the current body-composition guidance, subject to the applicable body-fat limits.
Quick Reference: USMC PFT and CFT Minimums
| Situation | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard PFT total | 150-point traditional minimum |
| Standard CFT total | 150-point traditional minimum |
| Individual event | Applicable minimum must also be met |
| Combat-arms PFT, 2026 | 210-point minimum |
| Maximum PFT score | 300 |
| Maximum CFT score | 300 |
| Body-composition performance threshold | 285+ on both PFT and CFT |
The 2026 combat-arms requirement is specifically a PFT requirement, not a universal 210-point requirement for the CFT.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum PFT score for Marines?
For Marines subject to the standard scoring system, the traditional overall minimum is 150 points, with applicable individual-event requirements also needing to be satisfied.
What is the minimum CFT score?
The traditional overall minimum is 150 points, subject to the applicable individual-event requirements and current Marine Corps standards.
Do combat-arms Marines need 210 points on the CFT?
The 2026 policy specifically establishes a 210-point minimum for the PFT for Marines in designated combat-arms PMOSs. It should not be automatically treated as a universal CFT requirement.
Is 150 a good PFT score?
150 is a minimum-level score, not a performance target.
If your goal is to improve your fitness or achieve a higher classification, you should look beyond simply reaching the minimum and identify the individual events where you can gain points.
Can I score more than 150 overall and still have a problem?
Yes. Individual event requirements also matter, so your total should always be reviewed together with the individual event scores.
Does age affect my PFT score?
Age can affect the number of repetitions or performance time required for particular point values under the applicable age-normed scoring tables.
Does the 2026 combat-arms rule change how the PFT is scored?
Yes. Combat-arms Marines covered by the new policy are assessed using the male, age-normed scoring standard and must achieve at least 210 total points.
What score do I need for the 285 body-composition allowance?
You need 285 or higher on both the PFT and CFT, subject to the applicable body-fat limits.
Check Your USMC PFT Score
Knowing the minimum is useful, but knowing where your current performance stands is even more useful.
Use the USMC PFT Calculator on this website to enter your event results and calculate your estimated PFT score.
Check:
- Your individual event scores
- Your total PFT score
- The gap between your current score and your target
- Whether your performance meets the applicable minimum
If you are in a designated combat-arms PMOS, make sure you also consider the 210-point PFT requirement that took effect January 1, 2026.
For official testing and administrative decisions, always verify your status against the latest Marine Corps guidance and your unit’s instructions.
Related USMC PFT & CFT Guides
- USMC PFT Calculator: Calculate Your PFT Score
- USMC PFT Standards by Age and Gender
- USMC Plank Standards: How the Plank Replaced the Crunch
- USMC CFT Calculator: Calculate Your CFT Score
- CFT Events Explained: Movement to Contact, Ammo Can Lift, and Maneuver Under Fire
- PFT vs. CFT: What’s the Difference and Why You Need Both?
