Apply for Entry-Level
Firefighter
Current Hiring Status
The City of Spokane is accepting applications for an anticipated October 2025 Academy until June 16th, 2025. After the June cutoff date, all other applicants will be considered for the 2026 spring Academy.
There is a practice CPAT and orientation on May 31st and a CPAT on June 1st in Spokane. Sign up for the Public Safety Tests on the Public Safety Testing website. After you’ve taken the PST, you can apply for the firefighter position with the City of Spokane.
Please note: Your PST written test must be taken within 12 months of your application date.
Public Safety Testing
Your first step to becoming a firefighter with the City of Spokane is to sign up for the written Public Safety Test and Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). The written test is offered at testing centers throughout Washington, California, Oregon, and Idaho. You also have the option to take the test remotely. The written test will take about 4 hours to complete, and a passing score is 70%. The tests will measure cognitive and non-cognitive abilities; you will not need firefighting knowledge or skills to succeed. Visit the Public Safety Testing website for more information.
The CPAT is only offered in person, with regular testing available in Tukwila and periodic sessions held in Spokane. It is a pass/fail test consisting of physical tasks designed to simulate the job duties of a firefighter. If you fail, you may retake at any time.
After you’ve taken the written and physical tests with PST, you will want to fill out the Personal History Statement through PST. This documentation will be required to move forward with the hiring process.
For more information about Public Safety Testing and to sign up for the tests, visit their website.
PST Timelines
- The written test must be less than 12 months old at the time of application.
- If you fail the written test or would like to try for a better score, you can retake the test after 90 days.
- The CPAT must be less than 12 months old at the time of interview with the City of Spokane.
- Per PST, you must take the CPAT within 180 days of taking the written test. Those 180 days can be before or after you take the written.
- The Personal History Statement must be completed in order to be placed on the eligible list. We recommend doing this before you apply with the City of Spokane.
How to Apply
After completing both the written and physical tests, you may submit your application to the City of Spokane. Keep in mind that you can only apply once every 365 days, so be sure you’re satisfied with your written test score before applying. Updates to your score will not be accepted after submission.
Applications must be submitted through governmentjobs.com, where you’ll need to create an account if you don’t already have one.
If you have any questions about the application process, feel free to contact Civil Service through our Contact Us page, we’re happy to help!