How to Become a Firefighter in Oklahoma

Who can apply

• Fire departments set their own hiring rules and tests.
• Under the State Fire Marshal's firefighter levels (effective 2026), Structural Firefighter is the minimum training level for interior structure fire attack, for both paid and volunteer firefighters.
• Structural Firefighter requires Firefighter I (or higher) and Hazardous Materials Operations certification from IFSAC, Pro Board or the Department of Defense.

Step by step

1. Join or get hired by an Oklahoma fire department. Departments run their own hiring process.
2. Complete the Support Firefighter level: PPE training (4 hours), BLS CPR, Traffic Incident Management, ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, IS-800 and Hazardous Materials Awareness.
3. Complete the Wildland Firefighter level (emergency vehicle operations, S-130, S-190, water supply) and then the Exterior Structural Firefighter level.
4. Take Firefighter I and Hazardous Materials Operations training, and pass IFSAC or Pro Board certification testing, such as through OSU FST, to reach Structural Firefighter. Paid firefighters must reach this level within 12 months of employment.
5. Earn Firefighter II certification to reach the Master Firefighter level. Paid firefighters must do this within 36 months of employment.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Under 2026 levels set through the Firefighter Training Advisory Committee, firefighters progress through five steps: Support, Wildland, Exterior Structural, Structural and Master. Structural Firefighter (Firefighter I plus Hazmat Operations) is the minimum for interior structure fire attack for all firefighters, and paid firefighters must complete it within 12 months of employment. Master Firefighter (Firefighter II) is required of paid firefighters within 36 months and is optional for volunteer departments. FTAC's statutory role is to set minimum standards for career firefighters and recommended levels for volunteers.

Exam: Firefighter I and II for the Structural and Master levels must be IFSAC, Pro Board or DOD certifications. OSU Fire Service Training gives IFSAC and Pro Board certification tests and is accredited to 28 levels across the two. Its Firefighter I and II skill sheets are based on NFPA 1010.

What it costs in Oklahoma

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

Paid firefighters: Firefighter I level within 12 months of employment; Firefighter II level within 36 months.

Good to know in Oklahoma

Deadlines for paid firefighters: Paid firefighters must reach Structural Firefighter (Firefighter I) within 12 months of employment and Master Firefighter (Firefighter II) within 36 months. Master Firefighter is optional for volunteer departments, at the discretion of the local authority having jurisdiction.

Transferring from another state (reciprocity): OSU FST grants reciprocity only for IFSAC and Pro Board certifications. Email its Reciprocity Application and copies of your certificates, with readable seal numbers, to certification@osufst.org. OSU FST verifies each certificate with the accrediting body, so allow at least 30 days.

Volunteer training tax credit: The State Fire Marshal publishes flow charts and a forms packet for the $300 and $600 volunteer firefighter training tax credits (effective for the 2024 tax year). The Fire Marshal Commission prescribes the form volunteers and departments use to certify the required training.

Contact: OSU Fire Service Training, Stillwater: 1-800-304-5727. Oklahoma State Fire Marshal: 405-522-5005.

Sources

• Oklahoma State Fire Marshal - Firefighter Training Advisory Committee (firefighter levels effective 2026)
• OSU Fire Service Training - Certification / Promotional
• OSU Fire Service Training - Reciprocity Application