FirefightersHow the Firefighter I and II practical exam works
Each U.S. state certifies Firefighter I and II with a practical exam made of skill stations aligned with NFPA 1001, now NFPA 1010. This guide follows the official skill sheets that states publish free.
Free to startA set of skill stations
The exam is a series of stations: donning protective clothing and SCBA, forced entry, search and rescue, ladders, ventilation, interior and exterior fire attack and more. Washington draws at least 12 skill sheets per candidate, 7 mandatory and 5 at random, and live fire is required for Firefighter I.
How a station is passed
Every station has its steps, its critical points and a minimum score. You pass by completing every critical point and the minimum number of steps, and the evaluator can stop the station at any time for an unsafe act; Ohio allows up to two retests.
The written exam and the team rule
There is also a written exam, for example 100 multiple-choice questions with 70% to pass. On interior structural fires, the federal rule keeps at least two firefighters together inside and two outside, everyone on SCBA. Practice every station free with Blocky.
Official sources
Two in, two out
29 CFR 1910.134(g)(4) requires that in interior structural fires at least two firefighters go in and stay in visual or voice contact, at least two stay outside, and everyone wears SCBA.
Water on the fire before going in
NIOSH report F2025-08 says that in some cases the attack can start from the exterior, flowing at least 150 gallons per minute onto the base of the fire before crews go inside.
Firefighter I and II skill sheets
The Ohio Division of EMS publishes the Firefighter I skill sheets (EMS 5919) (28 stations) and the Firefighter II skill sheets (EMS 5920) (13 stations), with time limits, critical points and minimum scores.
How the stations are drawn
Washington State Patrol: at least 12 skill sheets per candidate, 7 mandatory and 5 at random, with live fire required. Pennsylvania OSFC: Firefighter II with 6 mandatory and 2 random stations under NFPA 1010.
Firefighter I evaluation
The New Hampshire Firefighter I Practical Evaluation Package and the Montana Fire Fighter I Certification Test Booklet, whose certification is accredited by IFSAC and Pro Board.
Written exam
Iowa State Fire Marshal, Vermont Fire Academy and Nebraska State Fire Marshal: 100 multiple-choice questions and 70 to pass.
Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by NFPA, IFSAC, Pro Board, OSHA or any state agency. NFPA 1001 and NFPA 1010 are trademarks of their respective owners and are named only to describe the exams.