FireJobs

How to Become a Firefighter

Becoming a firefighter in the United States follows the same shape almost everywhere: meet the minimums, get certified, pass a written test and a physical test, interview well, and clear the background checks. The details, from certification rules to pay, change by state and by department. Right now FireJobs lists 797 open career and part-time positions across 47 states, each with its closing date.

The eight steps

  1. 1. Meet the minimum requirements

    Nearly every U.S. fire department requires you to be at least 18 (many set 21 for career roles), hold a high school diploma or GED, have a valid driver's license with a clean record, and pass a drug screen. Many civil service departments set an upper age limit, often 35, and some add residency rules. Every posting lists its own minimums, so read it before you apply.

  2. 2. Get your EMT license early

    Most career departments either require an EMT license before you apply or expect you to earn it in the academy. A basic EMT course takes about one semester at a community college. Having it first makes you eligible for far more openings, and a paramedic license opens the firefighter/paramedic positions, which are often the hardest to fill and the best paid.

  3. 3. Understand firefighter certification

    Firefighter I and II are the national standards (NFPA 1001). Some states certify firefighters through a state fire marshal or training commission and let you earn the certificates before you are hired; others hire recruits and certify them in a department academy. The state guides below say which model each state follows.

  4. 4. Learn how departments hire

    Departments hire directly or through a civil service list. The usual sequence is an application window of a few weeks, a written exam, a physical ability test, an oral board interview, then a conditional offer followed by background, medical and psychological checks. Some regions use a shared entry exam that several departments draw from; the state guides note where that applies.

  5. 5. Pass the written test and the physical ability test

    Written exams cover reading comprehension, basic math, mechanical reasoning, map reading and situational judgment. The physical test is usually the CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test): a stair climb in a weighted vest, hose drag, equipment carry, ladder raise, forcible entry, search, rescue drag and ceiling breach within 10 minutes 20 seconds. Train for it months ahead; it fails more candidates than the written exam does.

  6. 6. Prepare for the oral board

    Panels ask why you want the job, how you handle conflict, what you know about their department, and scenario questions about judgment and integrity. Strong answers are specific and short. The interview guides linked below cover the common questions.

  7. 7. Clear the background, medical and psychological checks

    Expect a full background investigation, a medical exam to the NFPA 1582 standard, and at many departments a psychological evaluation or polygraph. Be honest and complete on every form; omissions end more candidacies than the underlying issue would have.

  8. 8. Apply widely and track deadlines

    Most departments only accept applications for a few weeks and the whole process at one department takes months. Applying to several at once is the single biggest thing you can do to shorten the wait. FireJobs lists every current posting with its closing date so you can see what is open across the country today.

Common questions

How long does it take to become a firefighter?
Plan on 6 to 18 months from first application to a start date. EMT school takes one semester, the hiring process at a single department typically runs 3 to 9 months, and the recruit academy adds 12 to 24 weeks after hire. Applying to several departments at once is what shortens the wait.
What are the requirements to be a firefighter?
At minimum: 18 or 21 years old depending on the department, a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, U.S. work authorisation, a clean criminal record and a passed drug screen. Most career departments also require an EMT license and a passing score on the CPAT or an equivalent physical test. Firefighter I certification is required in some states and provided in the academy in others.
Do you need a degree to be a firefighter?
No. A high school diploma or GED is the standard minimum. Fire science coursework, an associate degree or a paramedic license helps you rank higher on hiring lists and matters later for promotion, but it is not required to get hired.
How much do firefighters make?
Starting pay varies widely by region and department size, from the low $40,000s at small departments to more than $80,000 at large metropolitan ones, with paramedic pay, step increases and overtime on top. Members see the exact salary on every FireJobs posting that publishes one, and the salary pages compare departments within each state.
Can you become a firefighter with no experience?
Yes. Most departments hire entry-level recruits and train them. Volunteering with a local department is the most common way to build experience and references while you apply for career positions, and part-time or paid-on-call roles do the same with a paycheck.
Is there an age limit to become a firefighter?
Many civil service departments set a maximum hiring age, commonly 35, because of pension rules, while others have none. The posting states the limit if there is one. There is no national rule.

Requirements and hiring by state

Certification rules, how departments test and hire, starting pay and the departments hiring right now, state by state.

Prepare for each step

See what is open today

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