How to Become a Firefighter in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 1,758 fire departments, and 42 of their positions are open on FireJobs right now (5 full-time). This guide covers what Pennsylvania departments require, how certification and hiring work here, what the tests involve, and what the job pays, so you can plan the next year instead of guessing.
1. Meet the minimum requirements
Nearly every Pennsylvania department requires you to be at least 18 (some 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. Some cities add residency rules or an upper age limit for civil service positions, so read each posting.
2. Get your EMT license early
Most career departments in Pennsylvania either require an EMT license before you apply or expect you to earn it during the academy. Getting it first makes you eligible for far more openings and is the single biggest edge for a first-time applicant. Paramedic licensure opens the firefighter/paramedic postings, which are often the hardest to fill.
3. Understand Pennsylvania firefighter certification
Pennsylvania has no statewide certification mandate for career firefighters, but the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy offers Pro Board certifications that most departments expect.
4. Learn how Pennsylvania departments hire
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh hire through civil service exams. Outside the big cities most departments are volunteer, and career openings are concentrated in the larger boroughs and townships.
5. Pass the written test and the physical ability test
Written exams cover reading comprehension, basic math, mechanical reasoning, and situational judgment. The physical test is usually the CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) or a department-specific course: stair climb in a weighted vest, hose drag, equipment carry, ladder raise, forcible entry, search, rescue drag, and ceiling breach. Train for it months ahead; it fails more candidates than the written test does.
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. Read our interview guides below before your first board.
7. Clear the background, medical, and psychological checks
Expect a full background investigation, a medical exam to NFPA 1582 standards, and in 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. Apply widely and track deadlines
Openings in Pennsylvania come and go quickly, and most departments only accept applications for a few weeks. FireJobs lists every current Pennsylvania posting with its closing date so you can apply to several at once instead of waiting for one department to open.
Pennsylvania departments hiring right now
- Gilbertsville Fire & Rescue Company · Gilbertsville · 4 openings
- Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire Company · Valencia · 3 openings
- North Penn Volunteer Fire Company · North Wales · 3 openings
- Chambersburg Fire Department · Chambersburg · 2 openings
- Fire Department Mount Joy, Inc. · Mount Joy · 2 openings
- Howard Volunteer Fire Company 1, Inc. · Howard · 2 openings
- Kingston Fire Department · Kingston · 2 openings
- Norristown Fire Department · Norristown · 2 openings
Common questions
How long does it take to become a firefighter in Pennsylvania?
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.
Do I need a degree to be a firefighter in Pennsylvania?
No. A high school diploma or GED is the standard minimum. Fire science coursework, an associate degree, or paramedic licensure helps you rank higher and matters for promotion later, but it is not required to get hired.
How much do firefighters make in Pennsylvania?
Starting pay varies widely by department size and region. Members see the exact salary on every FireJobs listing that publishes one.
Can I become a firefighter in Pennsylvania with no experience?
Yes. Most Pennsylvania departments hire entry-level recruits and train them. Volunteering with a local department (34 Pennsylvania volunteer openings are listed right now) is the most common way to build experience and references while you apply for career positions.