How to get hired at Fire Department City of New York (FDNY)

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

Hiring statusNot currently hiring

Last filing period ended Sept 30, 2024 (written test Jan-Feb 2025); exam offered about every 4-5 years. Check DCAS exam schedule or contact FDNY recruitment for the next one. src

LocationBrooklyn, NY

Career firefighters10,482

Stations218

FDNY hires entry-level firefighters through an open competitive civil service exam run by NYC DCAS, offered roughly every 4 to 5 years. Candidates take a computer-based written test, then the CPAT when their list number is reached, followed by medical, psychological and background review and an 18-week Fire Academy.

Apply / get notified Official recruitment page

Minimum requirements

At least 17.5 by end of application period and under 29 at start of application period (up to 7 years of military service may be deducted); at least 21 at appointment src
By appointment: high school diploma or equivalent, or 15 college credits, or honorable discharge after full-time military service, or 6 months full-time paid work experience src
Valid New York State driver's license at appointment src
Must live in NYC or Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk or Westchester County at appointment; NYC residents may earn up to 10 bonus points src
U.S. citizenship required at appointment src
Certified First Responder with Defibrillation (CFR-D) needed by end of probation; training provided in academy src

Certifications

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

Source: official page

Tests

DCAS Firefighter computer-based test (CBT) (written): Reading, listening, problem solving, arithmetic; pass/fail; free prep sessions offered src
CPAT (physical): Pass/fail, 8 events; called when list number is reached; FDNY offers training sessions src

Hiring process

Apply for the DCAS firefighter exam
Computer-based written test
CPAT when list number is reached
Medical, psychological, drug screening and background review
18-week Fire Academy

Source: official page

Starting pay

Starting $54,122; $105,146 base after 5.5 years src

Academy

18-week Fire Academy 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 New York.