Video Details 2026 Exam Updates
A new video addresses changes to the 2026 cognitive and practical assessments for firefighter candidates. The Q&A session focuses on what applicants can expect from written tests like the FireTEAM and physical ability protocols like the PSSA1. The content suggests that exam formats and scoring can shift, requiring candidates to stay current on the latest testing standards.
- The Seattle Fire Department's application window for this exam cycle was October 7 to November 25, 2025. The resulting Firefighter Register will be published in March 2026 to hire for two recruit classes starting in August 2026 and February 2027. - The FireTEAM cognitive test is a video-based exam lasting approximately two hours. It includes a Human Relations section (76 questions), a Mechanical Aptitude section (36 questions), a Reading section (27 questions), and a Math section (31 questions) that must be completed without a calculator. - In addition to the FireTEAM test, Seattle requires candidates to complete the Public Safety Self-Assessment (PSSA) Part 1 online. After passing both, the top 1,500 scoring candidates are invited to an in-person Oral Board Exam. - Candidates who pass all exam portions are placed on an eligibility list; the top 25% are then certified to the Seattle Fire Department for further screening. This next phase includes a background investigation, psychological and medical exams, and a new Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). - The SFD requires its own CPAT process for top candidates, even if they already hold a valid certification from another testing center. The pass/fail test involves eight sequential events, including a stair climb with a weighted pack and a hose drag, all completed in under 10 minutes and 20 seconds. - While an EMT certification is required at the time of hire, the department will offer a limited-spot, in-house EMT course to selected, conditionally-offered candidates who do not yet meet the requirement.
