diff --git a/NAMESPACE b/NAMESPACE
index 4464ddd5c..7e7fedc6a 100644
--- a/NAMESPACE
+++ b/NAMESPACE
@@ -187,6 +187,8 @@ export(finalize_model)
 export(finalize_recipe)
 export(finalize_workflow)
 export(finalize_workflow_preprocessor)
+export(first_eval_time)
+export(first_metric)
 export(fit_best)
 export(fit_max_value)
 export(fit_resamples)
diff --git a/R/metric-selection.R b/R/metric-selection.R
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..880bc0b7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/R/metric-selection.R
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#' Tools for selecting metrics and evaluation times
+#'
+#' @param mtr_set A [yardstick::metric_set()].
+#' @param metric A character value for which metric is being used.
+#' @param eval_time An optional vector of times to compute dynamic and/or
+#' integrated metrics.
+#' @keywords internal
+#' @export
+first_metric <- function(mtr_set) {
+  tibble::as_tibble(mtr_set)[1,]
+}
+
+#' @rdname first_metric
+#' @keywords internal
+#' @export
+first_eval_time <- function(mtr_set, metric = NULL, eval_time = NULL) {
+  num_times <- length(eval_time)
+
+  if (is.null(metric)) {
+    mtr_info <- first_metric(mtr_set)
+    metric <- mtr_info$metric
+  } else {
+    mtr_info <- tibble::as_tibble(mtr_set)
+    mtr_info <- mtr_info[mtr_info$metric == metric,]
+  }
+
+  # Not a survival metric
+  if (!any(grepl("_survival_", mtr_info$class))) {
+    return(NULL)
+  }
+
+  # Not a metric that requires an eval_time
+  no_time_req <- c("static_survival_metric", "integrated_survival_metric")
+  if (mtr_info$class %in% no_time_req) {
+    if (num_times > 0) {
+      cli::cli_warn("Evaluation times are only required when dynmanic or integrated metrics are selected as the primary metric.")
+    }
+    return(NULL)
+  }
+
+  # checks for dynamic metrics
+  if (num_times == 0) {
+    cli::cli_abort("A single evaluation time is required to use this metric.")
+  } else if ( num_times > 1 ) {
+    eval_time <- eval_time[1]
+    print_time <- format(eval_time, digits = 3)
+    cli::cli_warn("{num_times} evaluation times were available; the first ({print_time}) will be used.")
+  }
+
+  eval_time
+}
diff --git a/R/select_best.R b/R/select_best.R
index a9771b1e6..85305667d 100644
--- a/R/select_best.R
+++ b/R/select_best.R
@@ -76,6 +76,8 @@ show_best.default <- function(x, ...) {
 #' @export
 #' @rdname show_best
 show_best.tune_results <- function(x, metric = NULL, n = 5, eval_time = NULL, ...) {
+  # TODO should return the as_tibble(metric_set) results to get the class etc.
+  # TODO new function start
   metric <- choose_metric(metric, x)
 
   dots <- rlang::enquos(...)
@@ -92,8 +94,12 @@ show_best.tune_results <- function(x, metric = NULL, n = 5, eval_time = NULL, ..
     metric <- metrics
   }
 
+  # TODO new function stop
+
   # get estimates/summarise
   summary_res <- summary_res %>% dplyr::filter(.metric == metric)
+
+  # TODO split selecting the req time and seeing if it is in the data
   summary_res <- choose_eval_time(summary_res, x, eval_time)
 
   if (nrow(summary_res) == 0) {
@@ -349,7 +355,8 @@ middle_eval_time <- function(x) {
   eval_time
 }
 
-
+# NOTE this chooses the time and subsets the data; break it up to only select
+# time
 choose_eval_time <- function(x, object, eval_time) {
   mtrs <- .get_tune_metrics(object)
   mtrs <- tibble::as_tibble(mtrs)
diff --git a/man/first_metric.Rd b/man/first_metric.Rd
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..169d9b423
--- /dev/null
+++ b/man/first_metric.Rd
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
+% Please edit documentation in R/metric-selection.R
+\name{first_metric}
+\alias{first_metric}
+\alias{first_eval_time}
+\title{Tools for selecting metrics and evaluation times}
+\usage{
+first_metric(mtr_set)
+
+first_eval_time(mtr_set, metric = NULL, eval_time = NULL)
+}
+\arguments{
+\item{mtr_set}{A \code{\link[yardstick:metric_set]{yardstick::metric_set()}}.}
+
+\item{metric}{A character value for which metric is being used.}
+
+\item{eval_time}{An optional vector of times to compute dynamic and/or
+integrated metrics.}
+}
+\description{
+Tools for selecting metrics and evaluation times
+}
+\keyword{internal}
diff --git a/tests/testthat/_snaps/eval-time-single-selection.md b/tests/testthat/_snaps/eval-time-single-selection.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5d122bb3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/testthat/_snaps/eval-time-single-selection.md
@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+# selecting single eval time - pure metric sets
+
+    Code
+      stc_one <- first_eval_time(met_stc, eval_time = times_1)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      Evaluation times are only required when dynmanic or integrated metrics are selected as the primary metric.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      stc_multi <- first_eval_time(met_stc, eval_time = times_2)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      Evaluation times are only required when dynmanic or integrated metrics are selected as the primary metric.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      first_eval_time(met_dyn, eval_time = NULL)
+    Condition
+      Error in `first_eval_time()`:
+      ! A single evaluation time is required to use this metric.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      first_eval_time(met_dyn, "brier_survival", eval_time = NULL)
+    Condition
+      Error in `first_eval_time()`:
+      ! A single evaluation time is required to use this metric.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      dyn_multi <- first_eval_time(met_dyn, eval_time = times_2)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      2 evaluation times were available; the first (0.714) will be used.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      int_1 <- first_eval_time(met_int, eval_time = times_1)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      Evaluation times are only required when dynmanic or integrated metrics are selected as the primary metric.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      int_multi <- first_eval_time(met_int, eval_time = times_2)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      Evaluation times are only required when dynmanic or integrated metrics are selected as the primary metric.
+
+# selecting single eval time - mixed metric sets - static first
+
+    Code
+      stc_1 <- first_eval_time(met_mix_stc, eval_time = times_1)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      Evaluation times are only required when dynmanic or integrated metrics are selected as the primary metric.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      stc_multi <- first_eval_time(met_mix_stc, eval_time = times_2)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      Evaluation times are only required when dynmanic or integrated metrics are selected as the primary metric.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      stc_1 <- first_eval_time(met_mix_stc_all, eval_time = times_1)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      Evaluation times are only required when dynmanic or integrated metrics are selected as the primary metric.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      stc_multi <- first_eval_time(met_mix_stc_all, eval_time = times_2)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      Evaluation times are only required when dynmanic or integrated metrics are selected as the primary metric.
+
+# selecting single eval time - mixed metric sets - dynamic first
+
+    Code
+      first_eval_time(met_mix_dyn, eval_time = NULL)
+    Condition
+      Error in `first_eval_time()`:
+      ! A single evaluation time is required to use this metric.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      dyn_multi <- first_eval_time(met_mix_dyn, eval_time = times_2)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      2 evaluation times were available; the first (0.714) will be used.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      first_eval_time(met_mix_dyn_all, eval_time = NULL)
+    Condition
+      Error in `first_eval_time()`:
+      ! A single evaluation time is required to use this metric.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      dyn_multi <- first_eval_time(met_mix_dyn_all, eval_time = times_2)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      2 evaluation times were available; the first (0.714) will be used.
+
+# selecting single eval time - mixed metric sets - integrated first
+
+    Code
+      first_eval_time(met_mix_int, eval_time = times_1)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      Evaluation times are only required when dynmanic or integrated metrics are selected as the primary metric.
+    Output
+      NULL
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      int_multi <- first_eval_time(met_mix_int, eval_time = times_2)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      Evaluation times are only required when dynmanic or integrated metrics are selected as the primary metric.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      first_eval_time(met_mix_int_all, eval_time = times_1)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      Evaluation times are only required when dynmanic or integrated metrics are selected as the primary metric.
+    Output
+      NULL
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      int_multi <- first_eval_time(met_mix_int_all, eval_time = times_2)
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      Evaluation times are only required when dynmanic or integrated metrics are selected as the primary metric.
+
diff --git a/tests/testthat/test-eval-time-single-selection.R b/tests/testthat/test-eval-time-single-selection.R
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c40621b18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/testthat/test-eval-time-single-selection.R
@@ -0,0 +1,214 @@
+library(yardstick)
+
+test_that("selecting single eval time - non-survival case", {
+  met_reg <- metric_set(rmse)
+
+  times_1 <- 1 / 3
+  times_2 <- as.numeric(5:4) / 7
+
+  # eval time is not applicable outside of survival models; return null
+
+  expect_null(first_eval_time(met_reg, eval_time = NULL))
+  expect_null(first_eval_time(met_reg, eval_time = times_1))
+  expect_null(first_eval_time(met_reg, eval_time = times_2))
+
+})
+
+test_that("selecting single eval time - pure metric sets", {
+  met_int <- metric_set(brier_survival_integrated)
+  met_dyn <- metric_set(brier_survival)
+  met_stc <- metric_set(concordance_survival)
+
+  times_1 <- 1 / 3
+  times_2 <- as.numeric(5:4) / 7
+
+  # all static; return NULL and add warning if times are given
+
+  expect_null(first_eval_time(met_stc, eval_time = NULL))
+  expect_null(first_eval_time(met_stc, "concordance_survival", eval_time = NULL))
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    stc_one <- first_eval_time(met_stc, eval_time = times_1)
+  )
+  expect_null(stc_one)
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    stc_multi <- first_eval_time(met_stc, eval_time = times_2)
+  )
+  expect_null(stc_multi)
+
+  # all dynamic; return a single time and warn if there are more and error if
+  # there are none
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    first_eval_time(met_dyn, eval_time = NULL),
+    error = TRUE
+  )
+  expect_snapshot(
+    first_eval_time(met_dyn, "brier_survival", eval_time = NULL),
+    error = TRUE
+  )
+
+  expect_equal(
+    first_eval_time(met_dyn, eval_time = times_1),
+    times_1
+  )
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    dyn_multi <- first_eval_time(met_dyn, eval_time = times_2)
+  )
+  expect_equal(dyn_multi, times_2[1])
+
+  # all integrated; return NULL and warn if there 1+ times
+
+  expect_null(first_eval_time(met_int, eval_time = NULL))
+  expect_null(
+    first_eval_time(met_int, "brier_survival_integrated", eval_time = NULL)
+  )
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    int_1 <- first_eval_time(met_int, eval_time = times_1)
+  )
+  expect_null(int_1)
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    int_multi <- first_eval_time(met_int, eval_time = times_2)
+  )
+  expect_null(int_multi)
+
+})
+
+test_that("selecting single eval time - mixed metric sets - static first", {
+  met_mix_stc <- metric_set(concordance_survival, brier_survival)
+  met_mix_stc_all <- metric_set(concordance_survival, brier_survival, brier_survival_integrated)
+
+  times_1 <- 1 / 3
+  times_2 <- as.numeric(5:4) / 7
+
+  # static is first but includes dynamic. Should return NULL and add warning
+  # if times are given
+
+  expect_null(
+    first_eval_time(met_mix_stc, eval_time = NULL)
+  )
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    stc_1 <- first_eval_time(met_mix_stc, eval_time = times_1)
+  )
+  expect_null(stc_1)
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    stc_multi <- first_eval_time(met_mix_stc, eval_time = times_2)
+  )
+  expect_null(stc_multi)
+
+  # static is first but includes dynamic and integrated. Should return NULL and
+  # add warning if times are given
+
+  expect_null(
+    first_eval_time(met_mix_stc_all, eval_time = NULL)
+  )
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    stc_1 <- first_eval_time(met_mix_stc_all, eval_time = times_1)
+  )
+  expect_null(stc_1)
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    stc_multi <- first_eval_time(met_mix_stc_all, eval_time = times_2)
+  )
+  expect_null(stc_multi)
+})
+
+test_that("selecting single eval time - mixed metric sets - dynamic first", {
+  met_mix_dyn <- metric_set(brier_survival, concordance_survival)
+  met_mix_dyn_all <-
+    metric_set(brier_survival,
+               brier_survival_integrated,
+               concordance_survival)
+
+  times_1 <- 1 / 3
+  times_2 <- as.numeric(5:4) / 7
+
+  # dynamic is first but includes static. Should return single time and add warning
+  # if 2+ times are given
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    first_eval_time(met_mix_dyn, eval_time = NULL),
+    error = TRUE
+  )
+  expect_equal(
+    first_eval_time(met_mix_dyn, eval_time = times_1),
+    times_1
+  )
+  expect_snapshot(
+    dyn_multi <- first_eval_time(met_mix_dyn, eval_time = times_2)
+  )
+  expect_equal(dyn_multi, times_2[1])
+
+  # dynamic is first but includes static and integrated. Should return single
+  # time and add warning if 2+ times are given
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    first_eval_time(met_mix_dyn_all, eval_time = NULL),
+    error = TRUE
+  )
+  expect_equal(
+    first_eval_time(met_mix_dyn_all, eval_time = times_1),
+    times_1
+  )
+  expect_snapshot(
+    dyn_multi <- first_eval_time(met_mix_dyn_all, eval_time = times_2)
+  )
+  expect_equal(dyn_multi, times_2[1])
+
+})
+
+
+test_that("selecting single eval time - mixed metric sets - integrated first", {
+  met_mix_int <- metric_set(brier_survival_integrated, concordance_survival)
+  met_mix_int_all <-
+    metric_set(brier_survival_integrated,
+               brier_survival,
+               concordance_survival)
+
+  times_1 <- 1 / 3
+  times_2 <- as.numeric(5:4) / 7
+
+  # integrated is first but includes static. Should return NULL and add warning
+  # if 1+ times are given
+
+  expect_null(first_eval_time(met_mix_int, eval_time = NULL))
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    first_eval_time(met_mix_int, eval_time = times_1)
+  )
+  expect_snapshot(
+    int_multi <- first_eval_time(met_mix_int, eval_time = times_2)
+  )
+  expect_null(int_multi)
+
+  # integrated is first but includes static and dynamic. Should return NULL and
+  # add warning if 1+ times are given
+
+  expect_null(first_eval_time(met_mix_int_all, eval_time = NULL))
+
+  expect_snapshot(
+    first_eval_time(met_mix_int_all, eval_time = times_1)
+  )
+  expect_snapshot(
+    int_multi <- first_eval_time(met_mix_int_all, eval_time = times_2)
+  )
+  expect_null(int_multi)
+})
+
+
+test_that("selecting the first metric", {
+  met_1 <- metric_set(rmse)
+  tbl_1 <- tibble::as_tibble(met_1)[1,]
+  met_2 <- metric_set(rmse, ccc)
+  tbl_2 <- tibble::as_tibble(met_2)[1,]
+
+  expect_equal(first_metric(met_1), tbl_1)
+  expect_equal(first_metric(met_2), tbl_2)
+})