How to Get Hired at LAFD: The 2026 Firefighter Hiring Process
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is one of the most competitive departments in the country to test for. Here's the current path from application to academy, what LAFD specifically requires, and how to prepare for each step. Always confirm the latest details on the official site, joinlafd.org — windows and requirements change.
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When does LAFD open applications?
Closed Checked : The 2026 filing period ran March 3 to April 30, 2026.
The City schedules the test around LAFD's hiring needs and funding and does not publish a calendar. The FCA years LAFD accepts are 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2026, so the gap has run one to three years. Recent windows have stayed open for about two months, which is longer than most departments.
| Posting | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter 2112 | May 2, 2023 | Sep 18, 2023 |
| Firefighter 2112 | Mar 3, 2026 | Apr 30, 2026 |
Get told when it opens: Request an email notification for Firefighter on the City of LA jobs portal. governmentjobs.com · Official recruitment page: joinlafd.org
Basic requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Valid California driver's license (or out-of-state equivalent) by the time of appointment
- A valid EMT certificate before appointment — every LAFD firefighter must be an EMT, and you may be required to become a paramedic
- A passing score on the Firefighter Candidate Assessment (FCA)
The LAFD selection process
- Firefighter Candidate Assessment (FCA) — LAFD's entry exam. A passing score makes you eligible for the next phase.
- Application (Firefighter, class 2112) — for the 2026 cycle, both the FCA exam and the Firefighter I application opened March 3, 2026, with FCA registration open through April 30, 2026.
- Physical ability test — the Biddle (BPAT), not the CPAT. For the 2026 application period LAFD switched to the Biddle Physical Agility Test (BPAT) and no longer accepts the CPAT for its own process. This is a major change — train for the Biddle events specifically.
- Pre-background, field investigation, medical, and psychological — a current EMT or paramedic license is required during the pre-background and field-investigation phases, and again at certification.
- Academy and probation.
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/FCA: these are cognitive and situational-judgment style assessments, not academic tests. Practice full-length, timed reps so the format is automatic.
- The oral board: LAFD panels reward specific, structured answers and sincerity. Rehearse out loud — the firefighter oral board is where most candidacies are won or lost. Work through the firefighter oral board interview questions first.
- The Biddle: train the Biddle events directly; general "gym fitness" is not the same as the test. (How the Biddle differs from the CPAT.)
Frequently asked questions
Does LAFD use the CPAT or the Biddle test?
For the 2026 application period, LAFD uses the Biddle Physical Agility Test (BPAT) and no longer accepts the CPAT for its own selection process. Confirm the current requirement on joinlafd.org before you train.
Do I need to be a paramedic to get hired by LAFD?
No — you must hold a valid EMT certificate before appointment, not a paramedic license. However, LAFD firefighters may be required to become paramedics, and paramedic experience can strengthen a candidacy.
When does LAFD accept firefighter applications?
When LAFD's hiring needs and City funding call for it. Recent FCA years were 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2026. The 2026 filing period ran March 3 to April 30, 2026, and the one before it ran May 2 to September 18, 2023. Request an email notification for Firefighter on the City of LA jobs portal so you hear when the next one opens.