How to get hired at Memphis Division of Fire Services

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

Memphis hires entry-level firefighters as Fire Recruits through postings on the City of Memphis jobs site. Recruits must pass a battery of tests that may include a written fire selection test and a physical ability test, then a background check and an NFPA 1582 medical exam. Recruits attend the Fire Training Academy, then must earn Tennessee firefighter and EMS certifications on a set timeline after hire.

Official recruitment page

Minimum requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent src
• At least 19 by the start of the recruit class and no older than 45 at the date of employment src
• Valid Tennessee Class D driver's license with at least one year of driving experience by academy entry src
• U.S. citizenship (listed on an earlier recruit posting) src
• No felony conviction or misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude; must pass a background investigation src
• Must pass a comprehensive medical exam meeting NFPA 1582 standards src
• EMS licensure preferred; AEMT certification preferred src
• Must earn Firefighter I within 12 months and Firefighter II within 36 months of hire src
• Recruits hired without EMS licensure must earn EMT within 12 months, AEMT within 24 months and paramedic within 48 months src

Certifications

• EMT: required by end of probation
• Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)

Source: official page

Tests

• Written fire selection test (written): The posting says the test battery 'may include' a written test; the test vendor is not named. src
• Physical ability test (physical): The test is not named; CPAT is not mentioned. src

Hiring process

1. Apply online to a Fire Recruit posting
2. Written and physical testing
3. Background investigation
4. Medical exam (NFPA 1582)
5. Fire Training Academy
6. Earn Tennessee FF and EMS certifications after hire

Source: official page

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 Tennessee.