How to get hired at Charlotte Fire Department

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

Hiring statusStatus unknown

Hiring periods vary year to year and are posted on the City job site; submit the CFD interest card for notice of future openings. Most recent dated window found closed April 10, 2024. src

LocationCharlotte, NC

Career firefighters1,056

Stations42

Charlotte hires entry-level Fire Fighter Trainees during application periods posted on the City's job site; no firefighting experience or EMT certification is needed to apply. Candidates take the Fire Selection Tool written exam, go through a panel interview, polygraph, background and medical, and pass the FPAT before Recruit School. The full process can take 6-9 months from the written exam.

Apply / get notified Official recruitment page

Minimum requirements

At least 18 years old by the application date src
High school diploma, GED or equivalent by the application date src
Valid driver's license before a job offer src
Honorable discharge if a military veteran (general discharge under honorable conditions reviewed case by case) src
Must meet NFPA 1582 medical standards src
Automatic disqualifiers include felony convictions, certain misdemeanors, recent illegal drug use, and 6+ moving-violation points in 3 years src

Certifications

EMT: earned in the academy
Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)

Source: official page

Tests

Fire Selection Tool (FST) written exam (written): Administered by I/O Solutions; no fire knowledge required; optional study guide sold separately src
Online screening assessment (other) src
Panel interview (oral): In person src
Fireground Physical Ability Test (FPAT) (physical): Timed events within 8 minutes; pass/fail; one retake allowed; taken after conditional offer src
Polygraph exam (other) src

Hiring process

Apply online
Written exam (FST)
Candidate application packet
Online screening assessment
Committee review
Panel interview
Polygraph
Conditional offer
Background investigation
Medical exam (NFPA 1582)
FPAT and uniform fitting
Drug screen
Civil Service Board certification
Formal offer
Recruit School

Source: official page

Academy

Paid Recruit School of about 6 months, Monday-Friday roughly 8am-5pm (non-residential); EMT training included 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 North Carolina.