How to Get Hired at Austin Fire: The Cadet Hiring Process
The Austin Fire Department hires entry-level firefighters as cadets. Candidates are ranked on an eligibility list built from a written exam and a video interview, and those who clear the pre-hire assessments go through an academy of about six months before becoming probationary firefighters. As of late September 2026, the City lists cadet applications as closed, with academies scheduled for mid-July 2026 and late 2026; its advice is to submit a Candidate Interest Card to hear about the next window. Confirm current details on the City's fire recruiting page.
Testing with this department? Rehearse the oral board before it counts. Run a free board, no card →
When does Austin Fire open applications?
Closed Checked : Austin Fire says it isn't currently accepting academy applications.
AFD runs periodic cadet processes: an application window, a written exam and Structured Oral Process, then a ranked list that lasts at least 12 months and feeds several academies. The last entry-level exam was October 25 and 26, 2025. Lateral cadet hiring for already-certified firefighters is a separate track.
| Posting | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Cadet (entry level) | Not published | Written and oral exam Oct 25 to 26, 2025 |
Get told when it opens: Submit an Austin Fire candidate interest card. · Official recruitment page: austintexas.gov
Basic requirements
- At least 18 and no older than 35 on the day of the written exam
- High school diploma or GED
- U.S. citizenship or valid work authorization with a current Social Security card
- Able to read, write, and speak English
- A current, valid driver's license from your state of residence
- Able to meet the NFPA 1582 medical standard
- Eligible for future Texas Commission on Fire Protection and state health services certification
The selection process
- Candidate Interest Card, optional, to get notified when applications open.
- Application through the City's jobs site during an open window.
- Written exam, a general aptitude test covering verbal comprehension, deductive reasoning, and mechanical aptitude.
- Structured Oral Process, a video interview where you answer scenarios on camera and the recordings are scored.
- DD-214, if you are claiming veteran preference points (180 or more days of active duty and an honorable discharge).
- Conditional offer, made in order from the ranked eligibility list.
- Pre-hire assessments: a criminal background check with fingerprints, the CPAT, a psychological assessment (a written test plus interviews with a psychologist), and a medical exam.
- Academy assignment. Passing the pre-hire assessments does not by itself guarantee a seat in a specific class.
Knowing the process is step one. Being ready for each gate is the rest. Tailboard covers the written, the physical, and the oral board for one hiring season.
How to prepare
- The written exam: it is an aptitude test, so practice the format, especially mechanical reasoning if that is new to you. Start with the firefighter written exam guide and timed practice tests.
- The Structured Oral Process: because it is recorded, the skill is answering a scenario clearly without a panel in front of you to react. Rehearse out loud with the firefighter oral board, and work through situational interview questions. The firefighter oral board questions guide covers the 25 you are most likely to get.
- Fitness before the academy: Austin publishes its cadet fitness expectations, including a 1.5-mile run under 12 minutes, 30 metronome push-ups and 30 inverted rows at 80 beats per minute, and a side plank of 1:13 per side. Train toward those while you train for the CPAT.
- Veterans: have your DD-214 ready for preference points, and read the military to fire guide for how to put your service into civilian terms.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an age limit to become an Austin firefighter?
Yes. Austin Fire requires cadet applicants to be at least 18 and no older than 35 on the day the written exam is given.
What is Austin Fire's Structured Oral Process?
It is a video-based interview. You respond to scenarios on camera, the responses are recorded, and they are scored. It comes after the written exam and feeds the ranked eligibility list, so practicing answers out loud and on camera is worth the time.
Does Austin Fire use the CPAT?
Yes. The CPAT, with its eight job-related events, is part of the pre-hire assessments that come after a conditional offer of employment, alongside the background check, psychological assessment, and medical exam.