How to Become a Firefighter in Florida

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate or the equivalent (Florida Statutes 633.412).
• You must not have been convicted of a felony or any crime punishable by a year or more in prison, or of a misdemeanor relating to the certification or to perjury or false statements, and must not have been dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces.
• You must submit fingerprints with a processing fee for a state and FBI background check, and have good moral character.
• You must pass a medical exam (based on NFPA 1582 Chapter 5) by a Florida-licensed physician, physician assistant or APRN on the state form DFS-K4-1022, taken within six months before the course start date. Without it you cannot attend training or test.
• You must not have used tobacco or tobacco products for at least 1 year before applying, shown by a sworn affidavit.

Step by step

1. Get a medical exam on the state form (DFS-K4-1022) and enroll in the Firefighter Minimum Standards Course at a Florida Certified Training Center.
2. Submit your certification application, fingerprints and supporting documents. The training center helps you do this through FCDICE.
3. Complete Part I (Firefighter I, 191 hours) and Part II (Firefighter II, 301 hours), including the state-required cancer and mental health training.
4. Pass the state written and practical exams with at least 70% on each, within 12 months after finishing the course.
5. The Division issues your Firefighter Certificate of Compliance.
6. Apply to fire departments. Your employer must report your hiring to the Bureau within 10 days.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: The Minimum Standards Course is 492 hours: Part I is 191 hours (equivalent to NFPA Firefighter I) and Part II is 301 hours (NFPA Firefighter II). Part I can be done at a recognized fire department or an approved training facility; Part II must be at an approved fire training facility. Only Bureau-approved providers with state-certified instructors may teach it. Training on cancer and mental health risks is required for certification. Someone with a Volunteer Firefighter Certificate of Completion may start at Part II if the training center allows.

Exam: The state exam has a written and a practical part, given by a Bureau field representative or designee. You need 70% on both, and at least 70% in each course subject to sit for it. The written exam is taken electronically at the local training center and the practical at the local training facility. You must pass within 12 months after completing the course. If you fail, you may retake once within 6 months; if you fail again or miss that window, you must retake the Minimum Standards Course.

What it costs in Florida

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

How long it takes

You must pass the state exam within 12 months after completing the Minimum Standards Course.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: A Firefighter Certificate of Compliance expires 4 years after issuance unless renewed. Every 4 years you must do at least one of these: be active as a firefighter (on a department roster in the State Fire College database), hold a fire service instructor certificate and teach at least 40 hours, complete a 40-hour Firefighter Retention Refresher Course, or retake and pass the Minimum Standards exam. The 4-year period starts when the certificate is issued or when you leave employment.

Good to know in Florida

Certification is required by law: A Florida fire service provider may not employ anyone to fight fires, or supervise those who do, unless they hold a current Firefighter Certificate of Compliance. Volunteers must hold a Volunteer Firefighter Certificate of Completion. A volunteer hired as a career firefighter by the same provider may work up to 1 year under supervision while getting certified.

Military veterans: For an honorably discharged veteran or spouse, the Division may extend the 4-year retention period to 12 months after discharge (if service did not exceed 3 years), but not beyond 6 years from issue or renewal.

Coming from another state: If the Division finds your out-of-state training equivalent to the Minimum Standards Course, submit the equivalency form (DFS-K4-1309), exam application, medical form (DFS-K4-1022, exam taken within 6 months of applying), diploma, fingerprints and fee at least 10 business days before an exam date. The equivalency exam is given in February, May, September and November only at the Florida State Fire College. You must take the written part within three months of approval or submit a new application, and pass it before the practical. You get one retake within 6 months.

Sources

• Florida Division of State Fire Marshal - Certification: Florida Firefighter
• Florida Statutes 633.408 - Firefighter and volunteer firefighter training and certification
• Florida Statutes 633.412 - Qualifications for certification
• Florida Statutes 633.414 - Retention of certifications
• Florida Statutes 633.416 - Firefighter employment and volunteer service
• Fla. Admin. Code 69A-37.055 - Firefighter training curriculum (flrules)
• Fla. Admin. Code 69A-37.056 - State examination (Cornell LII)
• Fla. Admin. Code 69A-37.054 - Out of State Firefighter Certificate of Compliance (flrules)
• Florida Division of State Fire Marshal - Testing Schedule and Applications
• Fla. Admin. Code 69A-37.037 - Medical examination (Cornell LII)