Independent study site. Not a U.S. government website. Learn more
ReadyPass logo Get ready. Pass.

Question 55 of 128 American Government

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

Answers USCIS accepts

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

Give any one of these answers at your interview.

Supreme Court justices serve for life, until they retire or die.

What it means

Federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, have a lifetime appointment. They can serve as long as they choose, unless removed by impeachment.

Say “for life” or “until retirement.”

West facade of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., with marble columns and the words Equal Justice Under Law
The U.S. Supreme Court building, the highest court in the United States. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress (public domain).

Memory tip: Supreme Court = job for life.

Quiz yourself

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

Multiple choice is for study only. The real civics test is spoken: the officer asks, you answer out loud.

Study offline with the ReadyPass app

Readiness score, smart review and spoken interview practice. Coming soon to Google Play.

Official source: USCIS M-1778 (09/25), 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version). Last checked: .