How to become a firefighter in California

Written by a career firefighter · Updated 2026-11-04

California runs firefighter hiring through a fairly centralized system: state certification through the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and pre-hire testing through FCTC. Get those two pieces right and you can apply to most departments in the state.

1. Training and certification: State Fire Training

Firefighter training and certification standards come from the Office of the State Fire Marshal's State Fire Training division. Its courses are delivered through two kinds of accredited academies: Accredited Regional Training Programs (ARTPs), often at community colleges, and Accredited Local Academies (ALAs), run in partnership with a fire agency. State Fire Training doesn't run the academies itself, so you enroll directly with each academy (OSFM accredited academies).

2. Testing: FCTC

Most departments use FCTC for some or all of their pre-hire testing. FCTC gives the CPAT and the FCTC Written Test at four centers: Livermore, Sacramento, South El Monte and San Diego County (Carlsbad) (FCTC). Even departments that write their own exam often still require the FCTC CPAT card.

3. The Statewide Eligibility List (SEL)

After you pass FCTC testing you can join the Statewide Eligibility List, which participating departments pull from when they open recruitments. Postings often require you to be on the SEL with a CPAT card that's current through a specific window. For example, a 2026 City of Chico posting required both, with the card dated to expire between July 2026 and July 2027. Time your CPAT so it stays valid through the hiring windows you're targeting.

4. EMT

Most California career departments want EMT certification before you apply; check each posting, since some also require or prefer paramedic. Treat EMT as a requirement, not a nice-to-have, and start it early because it has the longest lead time.

California at a glance

Where to take the CPAT in California