How To Become A Firefighter In Ontario

First, The Honest Answer: There Is No Single Ontario Process

Ontario fire departments hire for themselves. Many use OFAI, the centralized testing service, to run common tests so candidates do not repeat them for every department. Some departments add their own assessments, fees and medicals on top. Others run their own process.

That means two things for you. First, you can often complete your testing once and use it across applications. Second, you must read each posting carefully, because requirements and costs change from department to department.

The Typical Path, Start To Finish

1. Meet the baseline requirements. Education, certifications, licence and fitness. See the list below.
2. Complete OFAI testing where required. Stages one to four, covered in the table below. Results stay valid for a set period, so timing matters.
3. Watch for postings. Departments only accept applications when a position is open, and the window can be short. Job postings are shared on our forum and social media accounts.
4. Apply. Resume, cover letter and documents. Some departments charge a non refundable administration fee.
5. Department screening and assessments. This varies the most between departments.
6. Interviews. Panels look at your story, judgment and fit, not just your test results.
7. Background, reference checks and medical. Followed by a conditional offer.
8. Recruit training and probation. Mississauga, for example, lists 17 weeks of recruit training and a 12 month probation.

This order is typical, not universal. Some departments combine or reorder steps.

Minimum Requirements You Will See Again And Again

• Education: Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent. Post secondary fire or emergency services education is often preferred.
• NFPA 1001 Level I and II firefighter certification.
• Standard First Aid and CPR, often with AED.
• Hazardous materials training aligned with NFPA 1072 (awareness and operations).
• Driver's licence: OFAI lists a valid Class G as the minimum. Many departments require a Class D (or DZ) with a Z air brake endorsement. Mississauga requires Class D with Z.
• Eligibility: legally entitled to work in Canada, and 18 or older (stated by Mississauga).
• Hearing and vision that meet the standard (vision follows NFPA 1582), and the ability to swim.
• Physical fitness proven by a validated physical assessment.

The OFAI Testing Stages

The treadmill test requires you to have passed the FACT and the hearing assessment first. Fees shown are the ones listed on OFAI's pages when we checked. Confirm current fees when you book.

How Departments Differ: Two Real Examples

Mississauga

• External candidates pay a $150 plus tax, non refundable administration fee to apply.
• Assessments can include practical, behavioural, cognitive, performance and swim assessments, a fitness assessment, a medical, and reference and background checks.
• Selected candidates may pay about $500 for physical and medical assessments.
• NFPA 1001 and 1072 certifications must be completed before applying. Successful candidates receive a conditional offer as a probationary firefighter.

Toronto

• Applications are only accepted when a position is open, and each job posting allows one application.
• Documents must be dated before your application date. You may be asked to produce originals at any stage.
• Successful candidates must pass a criminal records check and a comprehensive medical exam before any firm offer.

These details come from each department's own pages in October 2026 and can change with every posting.

What You Should Budget Before You Even Apply

The three OFAI fees listed above total $235 plus HST before the physical, technical and swim stages, your vision exam, your certifications and any travel. Add a department application fee where one applies. Knowing this up front keeps you from paying twice because a certificate expired before a posting opened.

Where To Watch For Postings

Departments post on their own sites. We keep a short list of official pages and share new postings on our forum and social media accounts, but always confirm on the department's own site.

• Toronto Fire Services
• Ottawa Fire Services (career alert signup)
• Mississauga Fire
• Hamilton Fire
• OFAI for candidate testing

Start With Where You Actually Stand

Frequently Asked Questions

Information checked against OFAI and municipal pages in October 2026. Standards, fees and validity periods change, so always confirm with OFAI and the department's current posting before you book or apply. Sources: OFAI minimum requirements, OFAI Stage One (FACT), Stage Two hearing, Stage Two vision, Stage Two treadmill, Stage Three guide, Swim test guide, Mississauga hiring process, Toronto how to apply. Top Candidate is independent and not affiliated with OFAI or any fire department.