Independent guide: SeattleFD.com is not operated by or affiliated with the City of Seattle or the Seattle Fire Department. This page summarizes public hiring information and links to official sources for final verification.
Seattle Fire Department entry-level Firefighter/EMT application and exam process
Seattle now runs an annual entry-level Firefighter/EMT hiring cycle. For the current cycle, applications are scheduled from October 6 through November 17, 2026.
2026–2027 timeline
- Applications: October 6–November 17, 2026
- NTN video exams / FireTEAM testing: October 6–November 24, 2026
- Oral boards: January 20–30, 2027
- Eligibility register: expected in March 2027
- First recruit class from the new register: expected August 2027
Testing
The Seattle firefighter testing process uses the FireTEAM exam through the National Testing Network (NTN), along with the Public Safety Self Assessment. Seattle’s official hiring-process page explains current testing options, including when an existing FireTEAM score may be transferred instead of taking a new test.
After testing
Candidates who advance through testing may be invited to an in-person oral board. Successful candidates are placed on an eligibility register and may then move through later pre-employment stages such as employment paperwork, CPAT, suitability assessment, interviews, background investigation, medical evaluation and psychological evaluation according to the City’s hiring timeline.
Official sources
- Seattle Fire: Hiring Process
- Public Safety Civil Service Commission: Application and Exam Dates
- Seattle Fire: Jobs & Opportunities
Questions about the application and exam process should be directed to the City of Seattle Fire Exams unit at FireCareers@seattle.gov. Questions about Seattle Fire recruitment may be directed to SFD.Recruitment@seattle.gov.
Last verified October 6, 2026.