How to get hired at Louisville Division of Fire

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

Louisville Fire hires recruits through an annual Louisville Metro HR recruitment: candidates apply online during a summer window, take a self-scheduled written exam, then a Physical Ability Test followed the same day by a Chief's Staff interview. Combined written and PAT scores set the eligibility list, and top candidates get conditional offers pending polygraph, background, medical and stress testing before a 26-week academy.

Apply / get notifiedOfficial recruitment page

Minimum requirements

• At least 18 years old by the application filing deadline src
• High school diploma or equivalent src
• Valid driver's license by the deadline (learner's permits and expired licenses not accepted) src
• Veterans need an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge; DD214 required src
• No residency requirement src
• Vision corrected to at least 20/40 in both eyes together; glasses wearers must meet 20/100 uncorrected src
• Submit copies of diploma/GED, birth certificate, driver's license and DD214 (if applicable) with the application or at the written exam src

Certifications

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

Source: official page

Tests

• Fire Recruit written exam (written): Self-scheduled; held at University of Louisville Shelby Campus; practice exam/study guide available src
• Physical Ability Test (PAT) (physical): Department-run at the Fire Training Academy; optional practice sessions offered src
• Chief's Staff Interview (oral): Same day, immediately after a passing PAT src
• Polygraph (other): After conditional offer src

Hiring process

1. Apply online with documents
2. Written exam
3. Physical Ability Test
4. Chief's Staff interview (same day)
5. Eligibility list (written + PAT score)
6. Conditional offer
7. Polygraph and background
8. Medical exam and treadmill stress test
9. 26-week academy

Source: official page

Academy

26-week academic and physical academy; EMT certification required to graduate; one-year probation from start of recruit class 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 Kentucky.