SFFD Firefighter Applications Close Nov. 9: What San Francisco Job Seekers Need Now

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The San Francisco Fire Department is taking applications for its next firefighter academy, and the window closes at 9:00 AM on Monday, November 9. Anyone who files by then is considered for both Class 139 and Class 140 in a single interview cycle.

SFFD firefighter applications close Monday, Nov. 9 at 9 AM. You need a current spot on the state FCTC list, a CPAT card and an EMT certification, so the people best placed to apply this week already hold most of those pieces.

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📍 At a Glance

Job	H002 Firefighter, San Francisco Fire Department
Application deadline	Monday, November 9, 2026, 9:00 AM
Academy classes	Class 139 and Class 140, one interview cycle for both
Where to apply	City and County of San Francisco careers site
Required	Current FCTC Statewide Eligibility List placement, CPAT card, EMT certification
Minimum age	19 to apply, 20 at appointment
In-person session	Veterans Session, Wednesday, November 4, 6:00 – 7:30 PM, SFFD Division of Training, 2310 Folsom St.
Academy length	20 weeks

What It Takes to Get on the SFFD Firefighter List

San Francisco does not run its own entry test. Instead, the department hires from the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List, the shared pool run by the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center. To be on that list you need a score of at least 70% on the FCTC written test, a CPAT physical ability card dated within the past year, and a current NREMT, California EMT-1 or California paramedic certification uploaded to your FCTC profile. SFFD says the CPAT alone costs candidates $160.

Being on the state list is not the same as applying. You still file a separate H2 application with the City.

The City's posting also asks for a high school diploma or GED, a valid California Class A, B or C driver license by the time you're appointed, and no felony convictions. Its listed salary range starts around $98,000 to $100,000 a year and tops out above $150,000.

⚠️ Starting From Zero? Read This Before You Rush

Here is the honest math. The next Northern California FCTC written test on the calendar is Sunday, November 8 in Livermore, one day before San Francisco's deadline. The next CPAT test dates there fall on November 12 and November 21, after it closes. If you have no EMT card, no written score and no CPAT yet, this cycle is almost certainly out of reach.

Start now so you're ready for the next one: book an EMT course, then schedule a written test and CPAT orientation through the FCTC test schedule, and keep an eye on SFFD's recruitment page. FCTC answers questions at (877) 648-2728.

📅 Sessions Before and After the Deadline

Veterans Session, Wednesday, November 4, 6:00 – 7:30 PM at the SFFD Division of Training, 2310 Folsom St. in the Mission. Register through SFFD's Recruitment News page.
Interview Prep Sessions, Tuesday, November 10 and Friday, November 13, 3:30 PM, held online. Registration is required through the same page.

SFFD hasn't published an agenda for either. Application questions can go to the City Career Center at City Hall, 415-554-5180.

What Comes After You Apply

Next comes a preliminary panel interview, then a Command Staff interview for those invited, a questionnaire, a background check, a medical exam after a provisional offer, and the 20-week academy. If you're called for the Command Staff round, your CPAT has to stay valid until three months before the academy starts, so check the date on your card.

SFFD's H2 candidate page walks through each step.

🔎 Search Firefighter and EMT Jobs Now

An EMT job is a common way to build experience before the next firefighter cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do SFFD firefighter applications close?

Monday, November 9, 2026, at 9:00 AM. Applications filed by then are considered for both Class 139 and Class 140.

Do I need to be an EMT to apply?

Yes. SFFD requires a current NREMT, California EMT-1 or California paramedic certification, uploaded to your FCTC profile.

I'm already on the FCTC list. Am I done?

No. You still need to submit the separate H2 Firefighter application to the City before the deadline.

Is there an in-person session before the deadline?

Yes, a Veterans Session on Wednesday, November 4 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at 2310 Folsom St. Registration is required.

Get Ready for San Francisco's Next Public Safety Opening

Filing this week or building toward the next cycle? Create a free LocalJobPage profile so new San Francisco postings come to you. Explore role-by-role guides in the Career Center.

Employers: Hiring EMTs, safety staff or emergency responders in the city? Post your openings on LocalJobPage.