How to get hired at Boston Fire Department
Boston hires firefighters from the Massachusetts state civil service eligible list. Candidates apply through the state, select Boston, then pass the state physical abilities test and written firefighter exam, usually given each fall. Boston residents get preference. Selected candidates go through background, medical, drug and psychological screening, then the Boston Fire Academy and a one-year probation in which they earn Firefighter I/II and EMT.
Apply / get notifiedOfficial recruitment page
Minimum requirements
- At least 19 at application and under 32 on exam day; veterans may add up to 3 years, and active-duty service members may test until 35 src
- Boston residency for at least one year before the exam gives preference over non-residents src
- Valid Massachusetts driver's license src
- Must be a non-smoker src
- Must pass background check, medical fitness screening, drug test and psychological exam src
- Must earn Firefighter I/II and EMT certification during the one-year probation src
Certifications
- EMT: required by end of probation
- Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)
Source: official page
Tests
- Massachusetts civil service firefighter exam (written): State-administered; $75 fee; 2026 exam held Oct 2 to 10 src
- Massachusetts Physical Abilities Test (PAT/ELPAT) (physical): Pass/fail; held in Hudson, MA; failing it makes a candidate ineligible src
Hiring process
- Apply for state civil service exam and select Boston
- Physical abilities test (PAT)
- Written exam
- State eligible list
- Background, medical, drug test, psych
- Boston Fire Academy
- One-year probation (FF I/II and EMT)
Source: official page
Starting pay
Starting $65,000/yr src
Checked 2026-11-05 against the department's official pages (linked). Hiring windows open and close quickly; always confirm on the official site before you apply. See every academy, EMT program and test site in Massachusetts.