How to get hired at Seattle Fire Department

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

Hiring statusHiring now

Applications open Oct 6 - Nov 17, 2026; NTN exam must be taken by Nov 24, 2026. Oral boards Jan 20-30, 2027; first class from this register expected August 2027. src

LocationSeattle, WA

Career firefighters1,013

Stations35

Seattle hires entry-level firefighters from a Public Safety Civil Service Commission register built once a year: candidates apply on governmentjobs.com, take the FireTEAM and PSSA1 through National Testing Network, and top scorers are invited to an in-person oral board. Those certified from the register then complete a suitability assessment, SFD's own CPAT, a panel interview, medical, psych and background, and must hold Washington EMT certification before recruit school. The 2026-2027 window is open now.

Apply / get notified Official recruitment page

Minimum requirements

At least 18 at time of hire; no maximum age src
High school diploma or GED src
U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or DACA recipient; city cannot sponsor work permits src
Good driving record; background issues reviewed case by case src
Washington EMT certification (or eligibility via reciprocity/sponsorship) before final offer/recruit school src
No prior fire experience and no residency requirement src

Certifications

EMT: required before the final job offer
Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)

Source: official page

Tests

NTN FireTEAM (written): About 2.5 hours; 50% of score; prior-year score transfer allowed; $65 NTN fee (waiver available) src
PSSA1 (Public Safety Self Assessment) (written): Online via NTN; 25% of score src
Oral board (oral): In person in Seattle; top ~1,000 invited; 25% of score src
CPAT (SFD-administered) (physical): Outside CPAT cards not accepted; voucher provided to top 25%; pass/fail src
Virtual suitability assessment (other): Pass/fail src

Hiring process

Apply on governmentjobs.com
FireTEAM and PSSA1 via NTN
Oral board
Placed on register (top 25% certified)
Employment packet
Suitability assessment
CPAT
Panel interview and conditional offer
Medical, psych and background
Final offer
Recruit school

Source: official page

Academy

Paid in-house recruit training, 15.5 weeks (about 700 hours) 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 Washington.