How to Become a Firefighter in Arkansas

Who can apply

• To train to the Firefighter I level in an AFTA program you must be at least 18 years old.
• Students in AFTA in-house programs must have personal insurance or workers' compensation coverage, complete an SCBA fit test, get a FEMA Student ID, and submit the AFTA new student application.
• Prerequisites before Firefighter I testing include CPR (Healthcare Provider level), Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, Wildland Firefighting (8 hours) and Traffic Incident Management (TIMS).
• AFTA recommends a physical exam that meets NFPA 1582 with SCBA clearance. The hosting department decides whether it is required.

Step by step

1. Join a fire department. Departments run their own hiring or membership process.
2. Complete the first-year courses required for certified firefighters in an Act 833 certified department: Introduction to Firefighting (12 hours), Protective Equipment (12 hours) and Wildland Fire Suppression (4 hours).
3. Enroll in AFTA's Firefighter I & II program, either Standards School at AFTA in Camden or an AFTA-approved in-house program at a fire department.
4. Complete prerequisites (CPR, Hazmat Awareness and Operations, Wildland, TIMS, ICS 100/200/700/800).
5. Pass AFTA chapter tests and certification exams with 70% or higher and all skills (JPR) tests with 100% accuracy.
6. AFTA issues Firefighter I and II credit with IFSAC and Pro Board seals.
7. Keep up at least 16 hours per year of AFTA-approved certified training.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: For a fire department to be certified under Act 833 of 1991 (which makes it eligible for state Act 833 funds), every certified firefighter must complete first-year training: Introduction to Firefighting (12 hours), Protective Equipment (12 hours) and Wildland Fire Suppression (4 hours). The department needs at least 6 certified active firefighters and a Certified Training Officer. AFTA's Firefighter I & II program is at least 320 hours and is now based on NFPA 1010 (2024 edition).

Exam: AFTA gives the Firefighter I and II certification exams. You need 70% or higher on chapter tests and certification exams, and 100% accuracy on all skills (JPR) tests. You get one retest on chapter tests. On certification exams you get two retests, only one of which may be right after the first exam is graded. The third attempt must be scheduled with AFTA's testing division and completed within one year of the first test.

What it costs in Arkansas

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: Act 833 certified departments must give their certified firefighters 16 hours per year of certified training approved by the Arkansas Fire Training Academy, and keep training certificates on file.

Good to know in Arkansas

Accreditation: AFTA is accredited by IFSAC and the Pro Board, so its Firefighter I and II certifications carry those national seals.

Department certification under Act 833: The state certifies fire departments, not just people. A certified department needs a fire incident reporting ID from AFTA, legal organization, a Certified Training Officer, workers' compensation for all personnel, at least 6 certified active firefighters with protective gear, an NFPA 1901 apparatus, and 4 SCBA with 4 spare bottles.

Failing the retest: In AFTA in-house programs, a student who fails a certification retest is removed from the active roster. The department may let them finish the class, but they receive a Basic (or Advanced) Firefighter certificate instead of Firefighter I (or II).

Basement and FEATS tests: Besides skills (JPR) and written exams, Firefighter I candidates must pass AFTA's 'Big Basement' exercise (full gear and SCBA with the mask blacked out, moving through obstacles and tight spaces) before the FF I written exam. Firefighter II requires the Firefighter Endurance Ability Test (FEATS).

Hazmat Operations first: For AFTA's on-campus Firefighter Standards course, the Hazardous Materials Operations class must be completed before the course begins; AFTA offers it on campus beforehand.

Sources

• SAU Tech - Arkansas Fire Training Academy
• AFTA In-House Firefighter I/II Policies and Procedures
• Arkansas DPS / ADEM - Fire Services
• ADEM - Fire Department Certification Requirements (Act 833)
• AFTA Firefighter Standards Student Handbook (8th ed., updated March 1, 2026)