Charlotte Fire Department

​Join The Charlotte Fire Department

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Charlotte Firefighter. Our hiring needs vary from year to year; however, our goal is to continually seek out highly qualified and diverse candidates to join our world-class organization.

Charlotte Fire Department Hiring Process:

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

  • In addition, firefighters must think critically and solve complex problems during physical exertion in stressful, hazardous environments.


​Employment Opportunities

Automatic Disqualifiers Include:

  • Anything other than an Honorable discharge from the military

  • Admission and/or conviction of a felony offense

  • Admission and/or conviction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude

  • Illegal drug use within 12 months before or after the written test date

  • A pattern of illegal drug use (including distribution)

  • Pattern of theft

  • Six or more points for moving violations on driving record during the past three (3) years.

    • The three-year period is to be calculated from the date of conviction for each violation.

    • Court decisions such as Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) will be counted as convictions.

  • DUI/DWI conviction within the last five (5) years

Entry-Level Firefighter Hiring Process Steps




STEP 2: Register For & Take Structured Oral Interview

Once the application period has closed, those who completed the online application will receive an email with information on registering online for the structured oral interview. 


STEP 3: Written Test

After candidates have completed the structured oral interview, they will be randomly scheduled onsite to return for a written test session. Applicants who pass the written test and structured oral interview will be invited back to take the Fireground Physical Ability Test (FPAT).


STEP 4: Physical Abilities Test (PAT)

STEP 5: Application Packet Review

Candidate Application Packets are team-reviewed. Applicants who progress past this stage may be invited to a complete a Screening Assessment.


STEP 6: Screening Assessment


STEP 7: Panel Interview

CFD Operations personnel conduct panel interviews. Successful candidates may then be invited to take a polygraph exam.


STEP 8: Polygraph Examination & Fingerprinting

Applicants will be given a polygraph exam and will be fingerprinted.


STEP 9: Conditional Offer Of Employment

Successful applicants may be issued a conditional offer of employment at this stage with a tentative start date to begin a recruit class at the Academy.


STEP 10: Personal History Background Investigation


STEP 11: Psychological Evaluation, Pre-Employment Medical Examination, and Uniform Fitting

The CFD follows the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582 medical guidelines.


STEP 12: Pre-Employment Drug Screening

The Charlotte Fire Department follows the City of Charlotte's Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace policy. Applicants will be scheduled for a drug screening within 30 days prior to their start date at the Academy.


STEP 13: Civil Service Certification

The Charlotte Fire Department will present a document package regarding selected candidates to the Civil Service Board for approval.


STEP 14: Formal Offer Of Employment To Start Recruit School

Upon approval from the Civil Service Board, applicants will receive a firm formal offer of employment to begin Recruit School, with at least a two-week window to provide notice to their current employer.


STEP 15: Welcome To The Charlotte Fire Department!

Fire Fighter Trainees, or Recruits, are paid full-time employees with a complete City of Charlotte benefits package beginning on day one of Recruit School at the Academy.

Charlotte Fire Department 2023 Hiring Process


Frequently Asked Questions


The information contained herein is current as of the 2023-A FF Hiring Process and is subject to annual review and change.

​All newly hired Fire Fighter Trainees receive the current fiscal year's "Firefighter I" new hire pay rate, which would be listed in the job posting at the time of application.