2025 civics test · Question 55 · System of Government

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

Any one of these answers is accepted

  • (For) life
  • Lifetime appointment
  • (Until) retirement

What this means

Supreme Court justices serve for life.

Once appointed and confirmed, a justice keeps the seat for the rest of their life, or until they choose to retire or resign. There is no fixed term and no re-election. The only way to remove a justice against their will is impeachment, which is very rare.

Accepted answers are “for life,” “a lifetime appointment,” or “until retirement.”

Why this is on the test

This 2025 question tests how long Supreme Court justices hold their seats, which is unusually long compared with elected officials.

How this question is asked

On the 2025 civics test, the officer asks up to 20 of the 128 questions out loud and you pass by answering 12 correctly. You answer in your own words. There is no multiple choice and nothing to write down for the civics portion.

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