How to get hired at Los Angeles Fire Department

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

LAFD hires entry-level firefighters through a City of Los Angeles Firefighter (2112) civil service process. Candidates file an online application and pass the computer-based Firefighter Cognitive Assessment (FCA), then a scored interview that sets their rank on a one-year eligible list. That is followed by a fitness and pre-employment assessment, background, medical/psych and drug screening. An EMT license and a current BPAT are needed during the pre-background phase.

Apply / get notifiedOfficial recruitment page

Minimum requirements

• At least 18 at time of application; no upper age limit src
• U.S. high school diploma, GED or CHSPE certificate (or evaluated foreign equivalent) src
• Valid California driver's license (or out-of-state equivalent) at appointment src
• Current EMT or paramedic license during pre-background and field investigation and at certification (CA EMT, or NREMT plus home-state license for out-of-state applicants) src
• Current Biddle Physical Agility Test (BPAT) pass during pre-background phases and at certification src
• Passing score on the Firefighter Cognitive Assessment (FCA) for the application to be valid src

Certifications

• EMT: required before the background stage
• Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)

Source: official page

Tests

• Firefighter Cognitive Assessment (FCA) (written): 4-hour computer-based test: reasoning, reading/listening comprehension, basic math src
• Behavior-based interview (oral): Minimum passing score 70; sets rank on 1-year eligible list src
• Biddle Physical Agility Test (BPAT) (physical): 11 events in 9:34, pass/fail; not administered by the City src
• CAP Baseline Fitness Test (physical): Part of pre-employment and fitness assessment src

Hiring process

1. Online City application and FCA
2. Interview
3. Pre-employment and fitness assessment
4. Conditional job offer and background investigation
5. Review of qualifications / pre-academy notice
6. Medical and psychological evaluation
7. Drug and alcohol screening
8. Academy

Source: official page

Starting pay

Firefighter I $87,883/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 California.