How to Become a Firefighter in Iowa

Checked against Iowa Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division, Fire Service Training Bureau (FSTB) · Verified 2026-10-16

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: See state office
State fee: $50 initial registration fee (one attempt at the written and practical exams); each retake is $50 per exam.
Certified by: Iowa Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division, Fire Service Training Bureau (FSTB)

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Who can apply

Certification is voluntary: state law does not require certification to work or volunteer as a firefighter in Iowa, though some departments require it for employment or promotion.
You must be at least 18 years old.
You must be a current member of an Iowa fire, emergency or rescue organization, or enrolled in a fire science program in the Iowa College System. FSTB may grant individual exceptions to the membership rule.
You must hold current Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations certification before Fire Fighter I.

Step by step

Join an Iowa fire, emergency or rescue organization, or enroll in an Iowa college fire science program.
Earn Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations certification.
Complete Fire Fighter I training, including live fire training; your chief, training officer or college program chair signs the Live Fire Documentation Form before you register.
Register and pay for a seat at a regional exam site through your Acadis portal account at least two weeks before the exam.
Bring official photo ID and pass the 100-question written exam and the practical skills exam.
Submit the Local Documentation Form (SCBA fit test, IS-100 and IS-700, communications skills) signed by your chief, training officer or college program chair through Acadis within your 12-month window.
FSTB issues a certificate with numbered Pro Board and IFSAC seals and enters you in both national registries.

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Training and exam

Training: Certification itself is voluntary, but Iowa's minimum training standard (661-251.101) requires every fire department member to complete Firefighter I-level training under NFPA 1010 (2024 edition) before engaging in structural firefighting. The training can come from FSTB, a community college, a regional training facility or the local department. Members in non-structural roles need training for the duties they may perform, and all department members need at least 24 hours of continuing training a year. For certification, FSTB sets no academy hours; your chief, training officer or college program chair signs a Local Documentation Form and a Live Fire Documentation Form confirming required skills.

Exam: Fire Fighter I has a 100-question multiple-choice written exam (120 minutes, 70% to pass) and a practical skills exam with five randomly selected skills graded pass/fail at 100% of steps. You get two attempts per skill station on exam day. You have 12 months from your first exam to finish everything, or your record is archived and you must start over. You cannot take the same exam more than once per day.

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What it costs in Iowa

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

Fire Fighter I exam registration (written + practical, one attempt each)$50
Each exam retake(optional)$50

Estimated total in Iowa$50

Cost details from the state

Training costs depend on your department or college program.

How long it takes

You have 12 months from your first exam attempt to complete all Fire Fighter I requirements.

Good to know in Iowa

National accreditation: Iowa's certification program is accredited by both Pro Board and IFSAC, so your certificate carries both seals.

Revocation: FSTB may revoke certification for false information, fraud in the process, or a felony-level conviction such as arson or assault. Appeals go to the commissioner of public safety within 30 days.

Training is required even though certification is not: Since February 11, 2026 (661 IAC 251.101), any fire department member must complete training to the Firefighter I job performance requirements of NFPA 1010 (2024 edition) before doing structural firefighting. Certification is not needed to meet this rule. Members must also complete at least 24 hours of continuing training every year (251.103).

Sex offender registry bar: Under House File 793 (effective July 1, 2025) and rule 661 IAC 251.204(5) (effective February 11, 2026), anyone who committed a crime as an adult that required listing on a sex offender registry cannot be certified as a firefighter and cannot serve as a noncertified or volunteer firefighter in Iowa, even if they no longer have to register.

Local documentation: Your chief, training officer or college program chair must confirm an SCBA facepiece fit test within the past 12 months, completion of FEMA IS-100 and IS-700, and live fire training on a separate Live Fire Documentation Form, both submitted through Acadis during your one-year certification window.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Iowa Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division, Fire Service Training Bureau (FSTB) before you apply.