How to get hired at Virginia Beach Fire Department

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

Virginia Beach hires Firefighter Recruits (no certifications needed) and Certified Firefighters in periodic recruitment windows for each fire academy. Applicants take a written test and the CPAT, then complete a personal history questionnaire, references, a structured oral interview, physical and psychological evaluations and a background check before final offers. Recruits earn their certifications during the academy.

Apply / get notifiedOfficial recruitment page

Minimum requirements

• At least 18 years old by the written test src
• High school diploma or GED (by eligibility list / job offer) src
• Valid U.S. driver's license at time of application src
• Eligible to work in the U.S. at time of application src
• Sign agreement not to use tobacco products on or off duty src
• Certified Firefighter track instead requires FF I & II, Hazmat Ops, EVOC, CPR, ICS courses and Virginia or NREMT EMT src

Certifications

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

Source: official page

Tests

• VBFD written test (written) src
• CPAT (physical) src
• Structured oral interview (SOI) (oral) src
• Psychological evaluation (other): With pre-assessment physical src

Hiring process

1. Online application
2. Written test
3. CPAT
4. Personal history questionnaire and references
5. Structured oral interview
6. Physical and psychological evaluations
7. Background check
8. Final offer
9. Academy

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 Virginia.