How to get hired at Tulsa Fire Department

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

Hiring statusContinuous hiring

Written exam is scheduled by calling the Employment Office at (918) 596-7427, and candidates choose their own date. A separate testing schedule page exists but was not checked. src

LocationTulsa, OK

Career firefighters692

Stations32

Tulsa candidates start by phoning the City of Tulsa Employment Office to schedule the free written entry-level exam. Those who pass go on to a Physical Agility Test, a Structured Oral Assessment and a background interview with the Chief before being placed on the Chief's hiring list. New hires need national and Oklahoma EMT-Basic certification before a conditional offer, and they attend a paid academy of about 20 weeks.

Official recruitment page

Minimum requirements

Age 18 to 45 on the hire date; may take the written exam at 17 1/2 if within six months of graduating src
High school diploma or GED src
National and Oklahoma EMT-Basic certification before a conditional job offer src
No felony or crime of moral turpitude convictions, and no dishonorable military discharge src
Medical acceptance by the City physician and the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System src
PAT passed within 12 months of the academy start date (state pension rule) src
Criminal background investigation and reference check src

Certifications

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

Source: official page

Tests

City of Tulsa entry-level written exam (written): 240 items, 2.5 hours, free; schedule by phone src
Physical Agility Test (PAT) (physical): Must be 18 to take it src
Structured Oral Assessment (SOA) (oral) src
Background Interview Questionnaire / Chief's interview (oral) src

Hiring process

Call the Employment Office to schedule the written exam
Written exam
Physical Agility Test
Structured Oral Assessment
Background questionnaire and Chief's interview
Placement on the Chief's hiring list (eligible for 2 years)
Background and medical
Academy (about 20 weeks)

Source: official page

Academy

About 20-week paid academy at the TFD Safety Training Center, generally weekdays 7am to 4pm 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 Oklahoma.