Firefighter

2026 Municipal Firefighter Examination

This exam is being administered by the Human Resources Division (HRD) to establish an eligible list from which to fill Firefighter vacancies in Civil Service Fire Departments.

This examination consists of two components which make up your total score; a written examination 50% and an entry level physical ability test (ELPAT) 50%. Written Examination Period:
October 2-10, 2026
* Application Open Date:
June 22, 2026 Final date to receive applications:
August 31, 2026
** Examination Processing Fee: $75.00

* The original examination date of October 2nd will be utilized for all statutory purposes and referenced throughout this posting in italics.

** There is no late fee for applications. Applications will not be accepted after August 31, 2026.

Refunds:
There will be no refund of the examination processing fee unless the examination is cancelled by HRD.

Written Examination Location(s):
Various sites across the Commonwealth

Note:

Candidates will receive an email approximately two weeks prior to their scheduled ELPAT date and time. Testing will begin on August 3, 2026, and will continue through early 2027 until all candidates have been scheduled and have had the opportunity to take the ELPAT.

Entry Level Physical Ability Test (ELPAT) Examination

Location:

571A Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749

Candidates who do not pass both the written examination and the ELPAT, will result in failure of the examination and will not be placed on the eligible list.

Examination Information

Examination Requirements:
Age Requirement:
As of the posting of this notice, candidates must be at least 19 years of age on or before August 31, 2026, for all civil service fire departments as defined in Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 31, Section 58. An exception may apply to current military personnel serving on active duty on the date of examination and requesting a military makeup examination.

It is your responsibility to review any upper age requirements for Fire Departments Covered by Civil Service on our website. Please be advised that the list of communities is subject to change and inquiries about age requirements should be directed to the communities in question.

Application:
The examination processing fee includes payment for both examination components; the written and the ELPAT. All applications and examination processing fees must be received by the Final date to receive applications. You will receive two confirmation emails when you have completed the process: one email confirming your application has been received, and one email confirming your payment has been received.

Your application is not complete until you have received both confirmation emails. If you have not submitted payment of the examination processing fee before the Final date to receive applications, your application will not be accepted.

Fee Waiver:
The examination processing fee may be waived for candidates who have received certain state or federal public assistance, or unemployment insurance during any portion of the twelve months leading up to the original examination date, October 2nd, 2026. Fee Waiver Forms are available on our website (Fee Waiver Form). This form should be completed and supporting documentation must be scanned and attached to the application.

All fee waiver forms must be submitted on or before August 31, 2026.

Current Military Personnel:
Any current military personnel requesting a makeup opportunity, please  for more information.

Makeup Examination:
With the exception of current military personnel, as described above, no candidate has a right to a makeup examination due to personal or professional conflicts on the testing date. Candidates are advised to consider this before applying for the examination. If you file an examination application by the Final date to receive applications but are unable to appear for the examination on the examination date due to an emergency or unanticipated hardship, you may request a makeup examination by filing a written request with verifiable documentation to the Human Resources Division (HRD) no later than seven calendar days from the examination date.

HRD reserves…