2025 105th Cadet Class Hiring Schedule

The testing and selection process is designed to evaluate all applicants for the position of firefighter in the Albuquerque Fire Rescue. All requirements and steps in the process are mandatory.

As part of our commitment to the community, candidates selected by the Fire Chief's Selection Committee must pass a physical examination, drug screening, back ground investigation, written psychological exam, and psychological assessment prior to beginning the cadet class.

Application Process July 1, 2025 – September 26, 2025
Document Submission Deadline for ALL Applicants (includes CPAT certificate)

Visit nmcpat.com to schedule CPAT.

September 26, 2025
Written Examination September 29 – October 2, 2025

(Training Academy)

Out-of-Town Testing Process (Written Exam) October 13, 2025

(Training Academy)

Structured Oral Interviews October 14 – October 17, 2025

(ABQ Convention Center)

Cadet Orientation December 12, 2025
105th Cadet Class EMT Basic Course/*Academy Prep Period January 12, 2026 – March 6, 2026
105th Cadet Class Academy March 9, 2026 – July 10, 2026
Fire Chief’s Selection October 28, 2025
Notification of Candidates Selected October 29, 2025
Field Staffing for 105th Cadet Class July 11, 2026

*Candidates hired with an EMS license (Basic, Advanced, Paramedic) will not be required to repeat the EMT-Basic course. They will instead participate in the 8-week academy prep period. 

Out-of-Town Applicants

An applicant that lives 100 miles or greater from the City of Albuquerque may participate in the Out-of-Town Applicant hiring process. To reduce travel time and expense, applicants will be scheduled for consecutive days (see above) to take the Written Examination and Structured Oral Interview. Each applicant must pass each element of the hiring process before proceeding to the next portion of the hiring process. Failure of any one element will result in removal from the hiring process.

Out-of-Town applicants must have all documents, including a valid CPAT certificate that indicates successful completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test, submitted by September 26, 2025. Failure to submit documents and obtain a valid CPAT certificate by the deadline will result in removal from the hiring process.

CPAT

All applicants must complete the CPAT or have a valid CPAT Completion Certificate dated within six (6) months prior to the document submission deadline (September 26, 2025). If you choose to obtain your CPAT certificate in New Mexico, you may contact: www.nmcpat.com

Notice

All dates are subject to change without notice.

frequently asked questions