How to Become a Firefighter in Idaho

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old to test and receive certification.
• Certification is open to Idaho emergency responders, members of associated Idaho emergency support agencies, and students enrolled in an approved fire service program.
• You must test with your employer's (career or volunteer) or school's approval, meet NFPA 1582 medical requirements and your local agency's medical requirements, and be covered by workers' compensation (or health insurance for students).

Step by step

1. Join an Idaho fire department or agency, or enroll in an approved fire service program.
2. Complete the hazardous materials prerequisites: Awareness, Operations (core), Operations PPE and Operations Product Control.
3. Complete Firefighter I training, including live fire training verified by your department or program (the authority having jurisdiction).
4. Sign up for an FST testing event through your department or program.
5. Pass the 100-question written exam and the skills exam.
6. FST issues your IFSAC-sealed Firefighter I certificate once all prerequisites are verified.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: FST does not set academy hours. Your department or program must verify you completed Firefighter I training, including live fire training under NFPA 1400 (also called 1403), and you must hold the four hazardous materials prerequisite levels before FST issues IFSAC certification. Prerequisites are not required to sit for the test, only to be certified.

Exam: Firefighter I (NFPA 1010, 2024 edition): a 100-question written exam with a 90-minute limit and a 70% passing score, plus a skills exam requiring 100% competency on six randomly selected skill sheets that must include SCBA, hose and ladders. Firefighter II: 100 questions, 70% to pass, and four skill sheets. You have one year to complete all written and skills parts. You get up to three attempts per part. If you fail a skill, you get a second attempt the same day with a different evaluator; all three attempts must fit within two testing events. After three failures you must wait six months. You may appeal a written score in writing within 30 days. Bring valid ID and full PPE and SCBA.

What it costs in Idaho

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 have one year to complete all written and skills requirements for a level.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: Idaho IFSAC certificates no longer expire because of revisions to NFPA standards. Certificates issued before 2008 required periodic recertification but remain valid.

Good to know in Idaho

Accreditation: FST is Idaho's IFSAC accrediting agency for firefighter certification. Certificates carry an IFSAC seal.

Coming from another state: If you hold an IFSAC-sealed certificate from another state, your Idaho agency can send FST a reciprocity application and a copy of the certificate with a legible seal number. You must be affiliated with an Idaho emergency service entity, and reciprocity applies only to levels FST is accredited for.

Results: Skills results are given on test day. Written results go to your training officer or chief within two to three weeks.

Certification is voluntary: FST says the Idaho Certification Program is voluntary and no Idaho statute requires firefighters to be certified. Each department (AHJ) decides what level of certification, if any, it requires.

Sources

• IDCTE - Fire Service Training
• IDCTE - Take a certification exam
• IDCTE FST Standard Operating Guidelines (rev. Aug 2026)