Firefighter Eligibility Checker: Free 2 Minute Quiz

Not sure if you qualify to become a firefighter? Answer a few quick questions about your background and we’ll tell you where you stand. This checker covers the most common requirements across U.S. fire departments, age, education, fitness, certifications, and more.

Common Firefighter Requirements

While every department sets its own requirements, most fire departments in the United States share these basic eligibility criteria:

• Age: Must be at least 18 years old. Many departments prefer 21+. Some have maximum age limits (often 35 to 40).
• Education: High school diploma or GED is the minimum. A college degree is increasingly preferred.
• Driver’s license: Valid license with a clean driving record is required.
• Citizenship: U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required by most departments.
• Physical fitness: Must pass the CPAT or department specific physical ability test.
• Background check: Clean criminal record. Felony convictions are usually disqualifying.
• Drug screening: Must pass a drug test. Marijuana use (even in legal states) may be disqualifying.
• EMT certification: Required by most career departments, either at hire or within a probationary period.

More Firefighter Career Tools

• Firefighter Salary Calculator, See what firefighters earn in your state
• Free Resume Review Guide, Download our complete resume checklist
• CPAT Training Timer, Practice the physical ability test
• Interview Prep Quiz, Test your interview knowledge
• How to Become a Firefighter, Complete career guide