How to Get Hired at LA County Fire: The Firefighter Trainee Process
The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) is one of the largest fire departments in the world and hires on two tracks — a non-paramedic Firefighter Trainee and a Firefighter Trainee (Paramedic). Here's what each requires and how to prepare. Confirm current details on the official site, fire.lacounty.gov — recruitments open and close on their own schedule.
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When does LA County Fire open applications?
Closed Checked : LACoFD's recruitment page says the Fire Fighter Trainee application will "soon open" and gives no date. The Fire Fighter Trainee (Paramedic) exam is closed.
There is no fixed schedule. Recent windows have run anywhere from four days to four months, and the 2023 paramedic posting closed early when it hit a 1,500-application cap. The last regular Fire Fighter Trainee filing period was in 2024. Get your CPAT, EMT and FCTC written score done before the posting goes up, because a short window leaves no time to test.
| Posting | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Fighter Trainee (Paramedic) | Mar 20, 2023 | Mar 24, 2023 (or 1,500 applications) |
| Fire Fighter Trainee | Apr 15, 2024 | Aug 15, 2024 |
| FFT (Paramedic), homelessness emergency track | Nov 17, 2025 | Dec 17, 2025; reopened Feb 11 to 18, 2026 |
Get told when it opens: Submit a job interest card on the LA County jobs portal. governmentjobs.com · Official recruitment page: fire.lacounty.gov
Basic requirements
- Graduation from high school, its equivalent, or higher
- At least 18 years old at appointment
- A U.S. citizen, or a permanent resident who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship at appointment
- A current, valid CPAT certificate for qualification
- A passing FCTC written score (70% or higher); the 2024 posting set a deadline for it
The two hiring tracks
Firefighter Trainee (EMT): requires an EMT certification/license.
Firefighter Trainee (Paramedic): requires a current, valid, non-probationary California Paramedic License that remains effective at least six months beyond appointment — plus twelve (12) months of full-time experience as a primary-care paramedic running 9-1-1 responses.
This is a key difference from some departments: LA County's paramedic track wants real 911 field experience, not just a license.
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
- Written exam: LACoFD uses the FCTC written, so take it before the posting opens and practice under a real clock.
- Oral interview: LACoFD panels reward structure and sincerity — rehearse out loud with a scored mock oral board. Start with the firefighter oral board questions panels ask most.
- CPAT: LA County uses the CPAT (unlike LAFD and OCFA, which use the Biddle) — train the CPAT's eight events specifically with the CPAT training plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does LA County Fire use the CPAT or the Biddle test?
LA County Fire requires a current, valid CPAT certificate for qualification. Note this differs from the City of LA (LAFD) and OCFA, which use the Biddle Physical Agility Test for their own selection. Confirm on fire.lacounty.gov.
Do I need paramedic experience to apply to LA County Fire?
For the Firefighter Trainee (Paramedic) track, yes — you need a California Paramedic License plus twelve months of full-time experience as a primary-care paramedic on 9-1-1 responses. The non-paramedic Firefighter Trainee track requires EMT certification instead.
When does LA County Fire accept applications?
On no fixed schedule. The last regular Fire Fighter Trainee filing period ran April 15 to August 15, 2024, and some windows have lasted only four days. Submit a job interest card on the LA County jobs portal, and have your CPAT, EMT, and FCTC written done before a posting opens. The application windows section above has the current status.