How to Become a Firefighter in Nevada

Checked against Nevada State Fire Marshal Division, Fire and Hazardous Materials Training and Certification Section, with the State Board of Fire Services · Verified 2026-10-16

Exam: Not required
Training: Not required
Term: See state office
State fee: Under NAC 477.325, certification costs are based on training hours but may not exceed $50. No fee is charged for initial Firefighter I and II certification for a member of a volunteer fire department. Retests cost the same as initial testing. The State Fire Marshal does not collect the fee from you if a third party, such as your employer, pays it. All fees must be paid before the certificate is issued.
Certified by: Nevada State Fire Marshal Division, Fire and Hazardous Materials Training and Certification Section, with the State Board of Fire Services

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Who can apply

Nevada's state firefighter certification is part of a voluntary certification system. Medical, physical and education requirements are set by your fire department (the Authority Having Jurisdiction).
You must be at least 18 before the State Fire Marshal issues certification.
You must be employed by or affiliated with a fire department, fire district, or a state, local or federal agency in Nevada.
Your fire chief or agency administrator (or designee) must request your certification.
Facial hair that touches the SCBA facepiece seal bars you from certification testing.
The State Fire Marshal may revoke, suspend or deny certification for a felony conviction (including a felony pleaded down to a misdemeanor), falsified records, cheating, or leaving your participating agency.

Step by step

Get hired by or join a Nevada fire department or agency. Departments run their own hiring.
Complete the Firefighter I course prerequisites: ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, first aid, CPR with AED, NWCG Wildland Firefighter Type 2 training, and Hazardous Materials Operations level.
Complete an accredited NFPA Firefighter I class taught by your department or another approved provider, attending at least 90% of the course hours.
At the end of the class (Nevada uses a capstone testing model), pass the State of Nevada written exam (70%) given by an approved proctor and the skills exam given by an approved evaluator.
The State Fire Marshal grades the exams and sends results to your chief within 15 working days; certificates go to your chief and you within 30 days through the Nevada IMPACT system.
For Firefighter II, complete an accredited Firefighter II class and pass its written and skills exams.

Training and exam

Training: For state certification you must complete an accredited NFPA Firefighter I class (NFPA 1001, 2019 edition) plus ICS-100, ICS-200, FEMA IS-700, first aid (shock, infection control, bleeding control), CPR with AED meeting Nevada EMT-Basic CPR rules, NWCG Wildland Firefighter Type 2 training, and Hazardous Materials Operations. Nevada does not use an hours-based system: the lead instructor and department set course length, and you must attend at least 90% of it (missed hours can be made up hour for hour).

Exam: Not required by the state for hiring, but required for state certification. The written exam passing score is 70%, and you also must pass a state skills exam. On skills test day you get two attempts at each skill, the second with a different evaluator; if you fail both, you get one skills retest no sooner than 30 days and no later than one year after the original test date. For the written exam you get three attempts within one year of the first, and must wait at least 30 days after a failure to retest. After three failures you must repeat the course and wait one year. Written exam items can only be appealed in writing, by item number, on the test date.

State certification is voluntary here, but most departments give a written entrance exam. Practice for it free →

What it costs in Nevada

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

State certification fee per level (up to $50 under NAC 477.325; none for a volunteer's initial Firefighter I and II)(optional)$
Accredited Firefighter I course and prerequisites(optional)$

Estimated total in Nevada$0

Cost details from the state

Course costs vary by department or provider.
Prerequisite courses (first aid, CPR/AED, wildland, hazardous materials) if not provided by your department.

Pay in Nevada

Before you compare job offers, see what a paycheck takes home in Nevada after taxes.

How long it takes

Exam results reach your chief within 15 working days after the exam arrives in Carson City; certificates are issued within 30 days after the exam.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: The state does not set a recertification rule. Any recertification is up to your fire department; the State Fire Marshal recommends reviewing training requirements every two years.

Good to know in Nevada

Coming from another state: Reciprocity is decided by a committee (the certification coordinator, the Board chair and a Nevada-certified firefighter at that level) after reviewing your certifications and experience. The State Fire Marshal may accept current IFSAC certifications. Reciprocity covers certifications, not just completed classes.

Exam results go to your chief: Exam results are only released to the chief of your participating agency or the chief's designee.

Revoked or denied certification: If your certification is revoked or denied, you may reapply one year after the action. You can appeal a State Fire Marshal decision to the Board of Fire Services within 10 days.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Nevada State Fire Marshal Division, Fire and Hazardous Materials Training and Certification Section, with the State Board of Fire Services before you apply.