How to Become a Firefighter in Illinois

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old to be certified and to take State Written or Practical Examinations.
• To be certified you must be engaged as Illinois fire protection personnel, as attested by your fire chief (or meet another employment category in 41 Ill. Adm. Code 141.250).
• If you are not yet with a department, you can take the approved course and state exams as a non-affiliated individual and receive a Recognition of Completion, then get certified once a department engages you.

Step by step

1. Complete an OSFM-approved Basic Operations Firefighter course of at least 180 instructional hours at an approved training facility (it may be taken in modules A, B and C).
2. Complete the Hazardous Materials Operations certification requirements.
3. Complete Module C items, including CPR/basic first aid, NIMS 100 and 700, Courage to Be Safe, and traffic incident management training.
4. Pass the State Practical Examination and the State Written Examination (70% to pass).
5. If you are not yet employed, receive a Recognition of Completion; once a department engages you, your chief attests to your engagement.
6. Apply for certification through the DPSE WebAccess Portal.

Training and exam

Training: Basic Operations Firefighter (meets or exceeds NFPA 1010) requires an OSFM-approved course of at least 180 instructional hours at an approved training facility, plus Hazardous Materials Operations certification. Module C adds mental health and substance abuse awareness, CPR/basic first aid, NIMS 100 and 700, Courage to Be Safe, and traffic incident management (NFPA 1091) training. Instructors must hold Fire Service Instructor I.

Exam: OSFM gives a State Written Examination and a State Practical Examination. Written exams need a 70% overall score (70% on each module if taken as modules), and practical exams need 100%. The Office pays, one time only, for your first written attempt at each level; the candidate or department pays for extra attempts. There is no limit on written attempts, but you need further documented learning in each failed subject before retesting. A passed Basic Operations Firefighter practical stays valid for 5 years; if you do not pass the written exam within that time you must retake the practical.

What it costs in Illinois

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: Basic Operations Firefighter itself is not on the state recertification list. Hazardous Materials Operations is: it stays current for 4 years and is renewed with level-specific recertification training (a Task Book or equal training records) uploaded to the DPSE WebAccess Portal, with a 90-day grace period.

Good to know in Illinois

No reciprocity: OSFM has no direct reciprocity and is not affiliated with Pro Board or IFSAC. After you are employed by an Illinois department, you can request course equivalency for NFPA-compliant training; if granted, you get one chance to pass the state written and practical exams, and if you fail, you must complete an Illinois-approved course.

Training starts before hiring: Since January 1, 2023, people not yet with a department can take the approved Basic Operations Firefighter and Hazmat Operations courses and state exams and receive a Recognition of Completion.

Next level: Advanced Technician Firefighter requires Fire Service Vehicle Operator certification, a 40-hour course, NIMS 200 and state exams.

Certification is voluntary: OSFM says its firefighter certification program is strictly voluntary under state law, though it strongly encourages local governments to take part. Individual departments may still require it.

Sources

• 41 Ill. Adm. Code 141.301 - Basic Operations Firefighter
• 41 Ill. Adm. Code Part 141 (entire part)
• 41 Ill. Adm. Code 141.390 - Recertifications
• OSFM - Course Equivalency
• OSFM - Division of Personnel Standards and Education