Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. (No max age limit)
You must have a high school diploma, G.E.D., or California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) certificate.
A passing FCA (Firefighter Candidate Assessment) score is required for your application to be valid
Recruits who meet work experience requirements can receive up to a maximum three-step pay increase.
Excellent health and dental plans are available for Firefighters and eligible family members/domestic partners.
Stratified random sampling may occur periodically and as needed, based on the City’s hiring needs. Applications submitted during the filing period will be kept on file and will automatically be included for consideration during the stratified random sampling process under this job bulletin.
The City Personnel Department will contact you for an interview.
This is a behavior-based review of a candidate’s personal history and is weighted 100% in the examination. It is designed to evaluate initiative in learning, practical orientation, role adaptability, service orientation, oral communication skills, job motivation, teamwork, and respect for diversity. The minimum passing score is 70. This score will determine a candidate’s rank on the eligible list, which is valid for one year from the date of the interview. Candidates will be notified by email of the specific date, time, and location of the interview.
Pre-Background Appointment: All applicants must submit PROOF of BIDDLE Physical Agility Test (BPAT) & EMT license.
The Pre-Background phase includes both a CAP Baseline Fitness Test along with a preliminary review of your personal history. All applicants must submit PROOF of their BPAT & EMT license during this phase of the selection process.
Please note - the CPAT will no longer be accepted, and we’ll be using the BPAT (Biddle Physical Agility Test) for the 2026 application period. CLICK HERE to learn more about the Biddle Physical Agility Test.
Background Field Investigation: Your background investigation is conducted by highly experienced investigators who have extensive law enforcement experience. The LAFD values candidates who are honest and consistently demonstrate the highest level of integrity.
After the field investigation is conducted, a review of qualifications by representatives from the Fire Department will be completed, which may include a department interview. Those candidates who are free of felony convictions and possess the strongest qualifications and good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation will be scheduled for the medical and psychological evaluation.
After the review of each candidate’s qualifications, LAFD, issues a Pre - Academy Notice (PAN) to select candidates who demonstrate the strongest qualifications and good moral character - this is a highly competitive process, so not everyone will receive a PAN letter.
A medical examination is conducted by a City physician to evaluate a candidate’s medical fitness, and wellness, including a psychological evaluation is conducted to assess the candidate’s ability to safely and effectively perform firefighter duties (including vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, respiratory function, and more).
A valid California Driver’s License or out-of-state equivalent driver's license is required at the time of appointment. Once hired, Firefighters are required to obtain and maintain a California Class “C,” or out-of-state equivalent driver's license, or Firefighter’s driver’s license, in accordance with Fire Department Procedures, as a condition of employment.
The Firefighter Candidate Assessment (FCA) is a required, 4-hour, computer-based test that is one of the initial steps in the City of Los Angeles Firefighter selection process. The FCA evaluates your general aptitude, including your ability to quickly learn new material, reason, comprehend written and audio information, and perform basic arithmetic.
You may only take the FCA ONE time during the 2026 testing window. If you do not achieve a passing score on the FCA during the 2026 testing period, we encourage you to re-apply the next time the Firefighter job application is open.
FCA Cost: $76
If you previously achieved a passing score on the FCA from 2016, 2018, 2020, or 2022, or 2023 you MUST submit a City application, but you DO NOT need to retake the FCA. For previous FCA score inquiries please email per.joinlafd@lacity.org.
If the exam fee is a hardship, a Fee Waiver is available for candidates who qualify. Please use the Fee Waiver link to download the application, then submit the completed form along with the required eligibility documents to FCAFeeWaiverApp@lacity.org.
Please use the link below to register for the FCA exam. https://tara.vitapowered.com/LAFD/FCA
If testing accommodations are needed, please email colaops@psionline.com. Do not schedule your test appointment until you have been contacted by the COLA Ops team.
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