How to become a Florida State Certified Firefighter, EMT, or Paramedic

In the State of Florida, in order to obtain employment as a Firefighter, you must first obtain state certification. To be certified (or employed) as a Firefighter in the State of Florida, an individual must submit an Application for Certification as a Firefighter, and successfully complete the Firefighter Minimum Standards Course, or have received an equivalent amount of training in another state (or country), and pass the state written and practical examinations, as required by State Statute.

Presently, the Firefighter Standards Course - is a 360 hour course of study(160hrs Firefighter 1; 200hrs Firefighter 2). The first 160-hours is equivalent to NFPA Firefighter I. The following 200-hours is equivalent to NFPA Firefighter II. It encompasses classroom study and actual fire simulation drills. At the conclusion of the course, the student must successfully pass the written and practical exams. This will enable the student to apply to test the state exam. The state exam consists of a written and practical exam.

Firefighter Certification and the qualifications for employment as a firefighter are governed by Florida State Statutes. State Statute 633.34 outlines the minimum qualifications required for employment. State Statute 633.35 outlines the minimum requirements for Firefighter and Forestry Firefighter training and certification.

To become a State certified firefighter, you must -

• Be a high school graduate or have a G.E.D. certificate.
• Be 18 years of age or older prior to taking the state certification test.
• No felony convictions or misdemeanor directly related to the position of employment sought, nor have pled nolo contendere to any charge of a felony.
• Submit a fingerprint card to the division with a current processing fee. The fingerprint card will be forwarded to the Department of Law Enforcement and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• Have a good moral character as determined by investigation under procedure established by the division.
• Be in good physical condition, determined by an examination by a medical doctor.
• Be a nonuser of tobacco or tobacco products for at least 1 year immediately preceding application, as evidenced by the sworn affidavit of the applicant.
• Successfully complete the Required Recruit Training - (Minimum Standards Course).

Florida State Fire College 
Bureau of Fire Standards and Training
Florida State Fire College
11655 N.W. Gainesville Road
Ocala, FL 34482
Phone: 352-369-2800

If you are a firefighter in another state and want to work in Florida, you may challenge the State of Florida "Minimum Standards" written and practical skills examination. You must be able to document 440 hours of acceptable fire training. Contact the Florida State Fire College for more information. The written and practical skills examination are given quarterly for out of state applicants. The State Fire College does not offer the EMT or Paramedic Programs.

Many of the Fire Departments in Florida are involved in providing Emergency Medical Services to some extent. Some departments provide EMS First Responders only, others provide EMT level response, others provide ALS response, and some provide BLS & ALS treatment & transportation services to their community.

FL Dept. of Health
 Florida Department of Health
 Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C18
 Tallahassee, FL 32311-1738
 Telephone: (850) 245-4440 
 Fax: (850) 488-9408

Initial Certification Requirements
 Course completion certificate within the last 12 months from an approved Florida training program. Possess a current professional level CPR for EMTs or ACLS Card for paramedics. Take and pass the appropriate exam given by the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians.
 
 Out-of-State and Military Reciprocity Requirements
 Hold a current out-of-state certification or be currently Nationally Registered, and
 Possess a current professional level CPR for EMTs or ACLS Card for paramedics.
 Take and pass the appropriate exam given by the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians.