Recruitment + Hiring.

Your Journey with Henrico Fire Begins Here Recruitment Closes July 1, 2025 Must be 18 to Apply Questions? Email [email protected] Starting salary $64,038

Your Guide to Becoming a Henrico Firefighter + EMT.

Congratulations! You’re reviewing the Henrico Firefighter recruitment process, which means you’re paving the way for a successful journey with the fire service. The next firefighter recruitment period opens on May 1, 2025. Qualified new recruits are eligible for our full 30-week academy, and individuals with one year of professional firefighting experience are eligible for a 12-week accelerated academy.

We invite you to review the recruitment steps outlined on this page. If at any time you have questions, contact us at [email protected] | 804.501.4900

Henrico County is an equal opportunity employer. Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Minimum qualifications for firefighter recruitment:

  • Applicants must be 18 by the end of the application period. The next application period is May 1 – June 30, 2025.
  • Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED.
  • Applicants must have a valid Driver’s License or be able to obtain a license.

Advance Life Support (ALS) providers needed:

  • Henrico Fire welcome’s National Registry Paramedics (NREMT-P) who are seeking their firefighter certification.

Factors that disqualify an individual from recruitment:

  • A DMV record with more than six demerit points in one year or more than two moving-violation convictions within the last year.
  • Applicants with a DUI are not eligible for hire within 12 months of conviction.

Recruit Application + Hiring Process.

Step 1: Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application at henrico.gov/services/jobs. For assistance completing the online application, please reach Human Resources at 804.501.4628.

Follow these steps to get started:

  • Create a new account or login to your existing account
  • Search for Job ID# (Firefighter Recruit Candidate)
  • Select “Apply Now“
  • Attach resume and supporting documents
  • Select “Finish“

Step 2: Submit required documents

The following documents are required and must accompany your online application.

Please Ensure All Documents Are Legible 

  • Proof of high school graduation or GED
  • Proof of college credits/degree (if applicable)
  • DMV Driving History Record (must include driver points)
  • Photocopy of Military Discharge form DD-214 or NGB-22 National Guard (if applicable)
  • Proof of graduation from a career fire department recruit school (if applicable)

Documents become property of Henrico County Division of Fire and will not be returned. Incomplete applications may prevent you from moving forward in the process.

Step 3: Attend orientation

Mentoring is available following orientation. While not required, mentoring is recommended.

Step 4: Entrance Exam

After submitting your online application, candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be invited to complete the firefighter entrance exam.

  • Test link and testing dates will be emailed to candidates to take the written test remotely.
  • Candidates must have a computer, phone, or iPad with a working camera and have downloaded the Chrome application to complete the test.
  • The written test is a timed multiple-choice exam.
  • Candidates must score above the established cut-off to advance to the next step.
  • After completion of the written test, candidates will be required to video record their responses to 3 to 5 questions.

The Exam Covers the Following Topics:

  • Critical thinking
  • Reasoning
  • Core behavioral traits
  • Extraversion
  • Agreeableness
  • Conscientiousness
  • Stability
  • Openness
  • Control
  • Work ethic
  • Integrity

Step 5: Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT)

  • Candidates are allowed two practice CPAT testing opportunities in advance of their final CPAT.
  • If a candidate passes the CPAT during one of the testing opportunities, they do not have to return for the final CPAT.
  • Candidates who are invited to complete the CPAT are also eligible to participate in orientation + mentoring sessions
  • Candidates must sign a waiver form before participating in the CPAT.
  • Candidates will have the opportunity to attend voluntary CPAT orientation, as well as voluntary CPAT mentoring.
  • Henrico Fire accepts valid CPAT cards/certificates that are current from candidates who test with an IAFF licensed agency within a year.
  • CPAT cards/certificates must be received by the Henrico Division of Fire before (tentative)

The CPAT:

The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is standardized and consists of a sequence of eight critical events completed in a predetermined path from one event to another in a continuous manner. This is a pass/fail test based on a maximum total time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds.

The CPAT Includes: Stair climb; hose drag; equipment carry; ladder raise + extension; forcible entry; search; rescue; ceiling breach + pull

CPAT Waiver

Candidates who pass the CPAT will proceed to the next step of the hiring process. Successful completion of written and physical testing doesn’t guarantee an interview or offer of employment.

Step 6: Administrative & Human Resources Review 

Henrico County Division of Fire’s Personnel Section and the County of Henrico Department of Human Resources will review and verify information provided by each candidate on their application.

Step 7: Panel interview

Top candidates will be contacted by Division of Fire and invited to participate in a panel interview.

Step 8: Conditional Offer

After successful completion of the steps above, qualified candidates will receive a conditional offer to attend the Henrico Fire’s recruit academy.

Step 9: Conditions Met

Parameters of the conditional offer are:

  1. Successful completion a medical exam
  2. Pass a drug test
  3. Pass a criminal history check & FBI fingerprinting.

Step 10: Hired

Once conditions have been satisfied, the candidate will be officially hired.

Your Journey Begins Here