How to Become a Firefighter in Ohio

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 to receive Firefighter I and II certification. Chartered programs may admit some 17-year-olds, and 16-year-olds in a high school public safety program, into Firefighter I courses.
• Before a chartered program admits you to a Firefighter I course, you must show cognitive proficiency, for example by passing a pre-admission assessment.
• You must complete FEMA courses IS-700, ICS-100 and ICS-200.
• You must pass a criminal history review. If you have a conviction other than a minor traffic offense, you must send court records and a BCI civilian background check with your application, at your own expense.
• For civil service fire departments, Ohio law requires you to be at least 18 and to pass a physical exam within 120 days before original appointment. You cannot receive an original appointment on or after your 41st birthday (Ohio Rev. Code 124.42).

Step by step

1. Enroll in a course at an Ohio chartered fire training program: Volunteer Firefighter (36 hours), Firefighter I (160 hours) or Firefighter I and II (244 hours).
2. Complete NIMS IS-700, ICS-100 and ICS-200.
3. Pass the practical skills exam given by your chartered program.
4. Pass the state knowledge exam (70% or higher) within 180 days of finishing your course.
5. Submit the Firefighter, Fire Safety Inspector, or Hazard Recognition Officer Initial Application within 90 days of passing the knowledge exam.
6. The Division of EMS issues your certificate after your criminal history review.
7. Renew every three-year cycle with 36 hours of continuing education.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Courses must be taught by an Ohio chartered fire training program. The Volunteer Firefighter course can be no more than 36 hours (Ohio Adm. Code 4765-24-09). Firefighter I is at least 160 hours: 132 hours of NFPA 1001 firefighter training, 24 hours of hazardous materials awareness and operations, and the 4-hour 'Courage to be Safe' course (4765-24-11). The combined Firefighter I and II course is at least 244 hours (4765-24-13). A Firefighter II transition course for certified Firefighter I holders is at least 84 hours, and a Volunteer-to-Firefighter I transition course is at least 124 hours. Each course must start and end within a consecutive 12-month period.

Exam: Ohio Adm. Code 4765-20-06 requires a practical skills exam and a knowledge exam. You must pass the practical skills exam first. Your chartered program gives it, it is graded pass or fail, and you must pass each skill in full. You get up to three attempts per skill, with no more than two on the same day. The knowledge exam needs at least 70% and must be passed within three attempts. If you fail either exam three times, you must retake the full course. The state Firefighter I and II knowledge exam is a computer-based, fixed-length linear test of 140 items with a 2 hour 30 minute time limit (EMS 0315).

What it costs in Ohio

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

Both exams must be passed within 180 days of finishing the course, and the application filed within 90 days of passing the knowledge exam (Ohio Adm. Code 4765-20-02).

Keeping your certification

Renewal: A firefighter certificate expires on your birthday in the third year. To renew, you need 36 hours of continuing education in the three-year cycle, related to the fire service, NFPA standards or NIOSH reports and approved by your fire chief or a chartered program director. In-service training at your department can count. You get no CE credit for responding to emergencies, and no more than 12 hours count in one day. If you also hold an Ohio EMS certificate, both expire on the same date and the CE hours are prorated. Submit the renewal application on or before the expiration date.

Good to know in Ohio

Certification is required: The Division of EMS says firefighter certification is required by Ohio Rev. Code 3737.66. For example, Ohio Rev. Code 737.22 bars a village from appointing a permanent full-time paid firefighter without a certificate under section 4765.55. A village volunteer must earn one within one year of appointment.

Transferring from another state (reciprocity): Ohio Adm. Code 4765-20-10 grants certification if you have held a substantially similar out-of-state certificate for at least one year and practiced for one of the last five years. Military or no-license-state experience must cover three of the last five years. You must also be 18, complete IS-700, ICS-100 and ICS-200, and have NFPA 1001-based training completed (or department activity) within the last 36 months. You also need emergency vehicle operations and hazmat awareness and operations training. Apply with the Firefighter Reciprocity Packet.

Exam deadlines: Pass both exams within 180 days of finishing the course, then apply within 90 days of passing the knowledge exam.

Pro Board: After Ohio Firefighter II certification, you may be eligible for Pro Board certification.

Military applicants: The Division prioritizes and expedites applications from veterans, service members and their spouses or surviving spouses.

Contact: Division of EMS fire education: 800-233-0785, EMSFireEducation@dps.ohio.gov.

Reinstating a lapsed certificate: An expired firefighter certificate can be reinstated for a $75 fee (waived for military veterans) with proof of your last cycle's continuing education: within 90 days with no exam, up to 18 months by passing the knowledge exam, and up to 36 months by passing both exams. After 36 months you must take a new course (Ohio Adm. Code 4765-20-08).

Sources

• Ohio Division of EMS - Firefighter I and II Initial Certification Requirements (EMS 0315)
• Ohio Adm. Code chapter 4765-20 - Firefighter certification
• Ohio Adm. Code chapter 4765-24 - Fire training programs and courses
• Ohio Rev. Code 4765.55 - Fire service training programs
• Ohio Rev. Code 124.42 - Firefighter qualifications
• Ohio Rev. Code 737.22 - Appointment of firefighters (villages)