About the CPAT
Our
m
ission f
or t
he Ventura County Fire Chiefs Association is to provide physically qualified firefighter candidates, utilizing the correct
application of all components of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs
(IAFC) Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). We are certified and monitored by the California Joint Apprenticeship Committee (C-
JAC). C-JAC issues certificates of completion to all candidates that successfully complete our CPAT. The test consists of eight
separate job related tasks that are performed in a continuous sequence. The candidate has 10 minutes and 20 seconds to complete
all eight tasks.
2019 Upcoming Orientation and Test Dates
ORIENTATION & PRE-TEST
Saturdays (0900 HRS - APPROX. 1300 HRS)
ORIENTATION & PRE-TEST
Fridays (0900 HRS - APPROX. 1300 HRS)
TEST DATES
Saturdays (0830 HRS - APPROX. 1400 HRS)
January 19, 2019 January 25, 2019 January 26, 2019
April 6, 2019 April 12 2019
April 13, 2019
June 15, 2019
October 19, 2019
June 21, 2019
October 25, 2019
June 22, 2019
October 26, 2019
January 18, 2020
January 24, 2020
January 25,
2020
NOTE: Dates may be added or cancelled as necessary, depending on demand. A CPAT test may be cancelled due to weather
factors. Candidates assigned to a test that is cancelled will be notified as far in advance as possible and will automatically be
assigned to the rescheduled test date. REFUNDS WILL NOT BE GIVEN.
How and When to apply:
An application is provided for you on the reverse side. You may complete this form and submit it by mail, fax, or personal delivery.
Applicants must be 18 years of age and must show photo identification (i.e. drivers license, a government, school, or military ID, or a
passport, or visa). Candidates without a photo ID will not be allowed to take the CPAT. Apply Early. Applications are accepted in the
order they are received. Applications are not accepted until the fee has been paid. Select your test date, orientation, and Pre-Test(s),
fill out the application and submit it along with your fee to reserve a slot.
PRE-TEST PREPARATION PROGRAM
The International standards of the Candidate Physical Ability Test pre-test program requires that Oxnard College CPAT ensure that all
candidates have the opportunity to attend at least two (2) orientation sessions within 8 weeks of taking the CPAT. Additionally, the
pre-test program offers each candidate the opportunity to perform two (2) timed practice runs within 30 days prior to the CPAT. When
scheduled early, each test has ample time for the pre-test program.
Orientations – included when you pay for your test
• All candidates have the opportunity to attend at least two (2) orientation sessions within the 8 weeks of taking the CPAT.
• During the orientation, you will receive an overview and the opportunity to attempt each of the eight (8) events and determine
where you may need strengthening.
• You will be given a set of exercises to help physically prepare for the CPAT.
• If you elect not to participate in the available orientation sessions, you will be required to sign a waiver acknowledging
that the orientation was offered
.
Pre-tests (Practice Sessions) - $25 per session
• All candidates are offered the opportunity to practice the CPAT events at least twice before taking the CPAT. Practice sessions
include:
Timed practice runs to evaluate your level of preparedness.
Supervised practice on the CPAT course with a proctor designed to meet your needs.
Techniques, evaluation and conditioning advice from our CPAT proctors
TEST
• You will be notified by email of the confirmation of your orientation, practice and test schedule.
• Please report 30 minutes before your scheduled event.
Miscellaneous:
Certificates of completion will be issued to each successful candidate by C-JAC. There is no established time for how long the
certification is valid. Contact the Department(s) you are interested in to identify their certification requirements. Nationwide the cut off
dates range from 120 days up to one year.
An Orientation/Test preparation Guide will be given to each candidate at the orientation. If you do not attend the orientation, the Guide
is available at the CPAT office. Attending the orientation and using the guide may improve your chances of being successful on the test.
Dress code is strictly enforced. Per CPAT regulations, the dress code consists of long pants, footwear with no open heel or toe,
and no loose or restrictive jewelry. Candidates must be in proper CPAT attire immediately before testing; lack of proper dress
code results in an automatic “FAIL” from the candidate’s assigned Lead Proctor.