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. We are offering a FREE written test on May 18th. There will be 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 test 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 offered in-person only in Tukwila on a regular basis and periodically 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 < 12 months old at the time of application.
- If you fail the written test or do not like your score, you can retake the test after 90 days.
- The CPAT must be < 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.
How to Apply
After you have taken the written and physical tests, you can apply to the position with the City of Spokane. You can only apply with the City every 365 days, so make sure that you are happy with the written score you send us before you apply. You will not be able to send a new score after you have applied with us. Applications must be submitted via governmentjobs.com. You will have to create an account with governmentjobs.com in order to apply.
If you have any questions on how to apply, please reach out to Civil Service via the contact us page and we are happy to help!