How to Become a Firefighter in West Virginia
Checked against West Virginia State Fire Commission (Office of the State Fire Marshal); certification through WVU Fire Service Extension or the WV Department of Education ·
- Exam
- Required
- Training
- Required
- Term
- See state office
- State fee
- See state office
- Certified by
- West Virginia State Fire Commission (Office of the State Fire Marshal); certification through WVU Fire Service Extension or the WV Department of Education
Who can apply
- Volunteer firefighters: all active firefighters must complete an approved Firefighter 1 curriculum (or equivalent) and pass the required certification testing before responding to any fire, except DNR/Division of Forestry wildland fires (87CSR8).
- A volunteer department may let an uncertified member serve as a probationary firefighter for up to five years; probationary firefighters must be at least 18 and trained to the State Fire Commission's modular training policy.
- All active volunteer members must keep current first aid and CPR certification and be trained to at least Hazardous Materials Awareness.
- Paid firefighters: 100% of active firefighting personnel must reach NFPA 1001 or Fire Commission-approved Firefighter I and II, approved first aid/CPR, and Hazmat Awareness, within three years of hire.
- Junior members are 16 or 17; state law requires junior firefighters to complete Firefighter I or its equivalent and have written parental consent, and they may not take part in hazardous activities.
Step by step
- Join a fire department recognized by the West Virginia State Fire Commission (volunteer, part-paid or paid). Departments run their own hiring.
- Volunteers may start as probationary firefighters (18+) trained under the Commission's modular training policy.
- Complete a Fire Commission-approved Firefighter 1 curriculum (based on NFPA 1001) plus first aid/CPR and Hazmat Awareness training.
- Pass the written and practical certification tests for Firefighter 1.
- Paid firefighters: also complete Firefighter II within three years of hire; original civil-service appointments in paid departments must complete the U.S. Department of Labor registered firefighter apprenticeship.
- Add Hazmat Operations certification if you will operate at hazmat incidents, and Firefighter I plus EVOC before driving apparatus.
Training and exam
Training: Fire Commission-approved Firefighter 1 curricula must meet NFPA 1001 (the medical exam requirement is excluded for volunteer curricula). Volunteers need Firefighter 1 before responding to fires (probationary members may serve up to five years under the modular training policy). Paid firefighters must reach Firefighter I and II, first aid/CPR and Hazmat Awareness within three years of hire. Only instructors with a WV Department of Education adult part-time teaching permit or WVU Fire Service Extension Fire Instructor certification may teach or test for Commission certification.
Exam: You must pass any and all testing required for Firefighter 1 certification. For applicants seeking equivalency without IFSAC or Pro Board certification, the Commission's policy requires a written certification exam with at least 70% plus a practical skills exam where applicable if the training documentation is not enough.
What it costs in West Virginia
Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.
- $
- $
Cost details from the state
- Firefighter 1 course costs vary by provider.
- First aid and CPR certification costs vary by provider.
How long it takes
Paid firefighters have three years from hire to reach Firefighter II. Volunteer probationary firefighters may serve up to five years before certification.
Keeping your certification
Renewal: Volunteers must always keep current first aid and CPR certification. Fire Commission-approved curricula must be re-approved every 5 years. The Commission's documents reviewed do not set a renewal cycle for Firefighter 1 itself.
Good to know in West Virginia
Coming from another state: IFSAC or Pro Board certification, or certification from the U.S. Department of Labor Firefighter Apprenticeship program, is treated as equivalent for the level shown (87CSR8 5.1), with no application needed. Without it, you must be a member of a recognized West Virginia department, get your fire chief's signature, and submit training and testing records dated within the last 5 years to WVU Fire Service Extension or the WV Department of Education; if they fall short, you take the written (70%) and practical exams.
Driving apparatus: Operators of engines, tankers, aerials and rescue trucks must hold Firefighter I, a valid driver's license and an approved Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC).
Officers: Volunteer fire line officers must hold Fire Officer 1, and chiefs and assistant chiefs must hold Fire Officer 2.
Sources
Other states
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General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with West Virginia State Fire Commission (Office of the State Fire Marshal); certification through WVU Fire Service Extension or the WV Department of Education before you apply.