How to get hired at Dallas Fire Department

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

Dallas Fire-Rescue hires entry-level firefighters as Fire Rescue Officer Trainees through a Civil Service written exam, the DFR Physical Agility Test and a City medical exam. Applicants need 45 college credit hours (2.0+ GPA) or 48 months of honorable active military service, and must be under 36 on the written exam date. Trainees get EMT and basic fire suppression training at the Fire-Rescue Academy.

Apply / get notifiedOfficial recruitment page

Minimum requirements

• At least 18 and under 36 on the date of the Civil Service written exam src
• 45 semester hours of college credit (2.0+ GPA, regionally accredited, no developmental courses) or 48 months active U.S. military service with honorable discharge src
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. src
• No felony conviction, probation or deferred adjudication; no Class A misdemeanor in 5 years or Class B in 2 years; no DWI in 5 years src
• Fewer than 3 moving violations in 24 months; no driving on suspended license in 12 months src
• Medically fit under City of Dallas guidelines for uniformed fire personnel src

Certifications

• EMT: not required
• Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)

Source: official page

Tests

• City of Dallas Civil Service Trainee exam (written) src
• Dallas Fire Rescue Physical Agility Test (PAT) (physical): One practice and one official attempt src
• City medical exam (other) src

Starting pay

Starting $75,397/yr; Fire Rescue Officer range $75,397-$98,377 src

Academy

Fire-Rescue Academy with EMT and basic fire suppression training; Trainee status should not exceed 18 months 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 Texas.