Screening comes first. Before the treadmill, FPAT and swim, you must clear on site screening: blood pressure of 140/90 or lower and a pulse of 100 or lower, with up to six readings allowed. A doctor's note does not replace these readings. Failing screening is not a test failure, but you will have to reschedule.
Stage Two: Encapsulated Treadmill Test
An aerobic test using the Encapsulated Treadmill Protocol, taken after you clear medical screening. OFAI lists the fee at $110 plus HST, and you must have passed the FACT and the hearing assessment first.
- OFAI describes effort using the Borg scale. Firefighting work usually sits around 13 to 16 ("hard" to "very hard"), with brief peaks of 17 to 19.
- Avoid large meals or lots of liquid in the 2 to 3 hours before. Avoid caffeine, energy drinks and alcohol for 12 hours. No exercise in the 4 hours before, and no intense exercise in the 24 hours before.
- Be clean shaven where a mask seal is needed, and tell the evaluator about any PPE fit concerns before you start.
OFAI's page does not list the test duration, treadmill speeds, pass standards or retake rules. Read OFAI's Stage Two guide for those details.
Stage Three: FPAT (Firefighter Physical Aptitude Job Related Tests)
Six events done in sequence, each timed on its own. You must finish every event safely, correctly and within its standard. Failing any one event ends the FPAT. A fixed three minute rest follows each event.
| Event | Time standard |
|---|
| Equipment Carry / Vehicle Extrication | 3 min 45 s or less |
| Charged Hose Advance | 27 s or less |
| Weighted Sled Pull | 1 min 50 s or less |
| Forcible Entry Simulation | 19 s or less |
| Victim Rescue | 57 s or less |
| Ladder Climb | 1 min 37 s or less |
- You do a standard familiarization session first, in provided PPE weighing about 23 kg. You carry an SCBA but do not use air.
- Results are pass or fail. A pass is valid for 12 months.
- Retest waits: 15 days after a first failure, 30 days after a second or later failure.
Stage Three: Technical Skills Assessment
Six evolutions in two sections of three, with a 10 minute maximum for each. Unsafe conduct can cause an immediate failure at any point.
- Section One: claustrophobia assessment, ropes and knots, and ladder component identification with a 10 m ladder climb.
- Section Two: roof operations inspection hole, hose connections with a charged line advance, and a 7 m one firefighter ladder raise with roof ladder deployment.
- You may review instructions in advance and ask the evaluator to repeat them once during an evolution, but the clock keeps running.
- A pass is valid for 12 months. If you fail one skill in one section you rebook only that section. If you do not pass both sections within six months, the whole assessment must be retested.
Stage Four: Swim Test
Two events done back to back:
- Tread water for 10 minutes. Stay vertical with your head completely above water. Touching the wall, ropes or another person, floating on your back, going underwater or swimming earns a warning first and a failure the second time.
- Swim 100 metres (4 pool lengths) using any stroke, within 5 minutes. Standing, holding the edge or treading water earns a warning and then a failure. Pushing off the wall is allowed.
The same screening applies (resting pulse 100 or lower, blood pressure 140/90 or lower) and the same pre test rules about food, caffeine and exercise. A pass is valid for 12 months.
How To Train For What Is Actually Tested
This is general training guidance based on the standards above. It is not medical advice, so speak with your doctor before starting a new training program.
- Train each event as its own sprint. The FPAT events are timed separately with a three minute rest, so you are not fighting accumulated fatigue the way you would be in a continuous circuit. Practise hard, short efforts with full recovery.
- Train in weight. The PPE is about 23 kg. A weighted vest and loaded carries build the capacity the events test.
- Build grip, legs and pulling strength. The sled pull, victim rescue, equipment carry and forcible entry all punish weak grip and weak hips.
- Make treading water a skill. Ten minutes vertical with your head above water is technique and calm, not just fitness. Practise it before you pay for a test attempt.
- Walk into screening calm. Skip caffeine, avoid rushing, and arrive early. A high pulse or blood pressure on the day can stop your attempt before it starts.
Top Candidate members get the Physical Readiness Deep Dive course for structured programming toward the physical standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ontario's physical test the CPAT?
OFAI's physical test is the FPAT. It has six timed events and each must be completed within its time standard. Other employers may use different tests, so check the posting.
What happens if I fail one FPAT event?
You must complete all six events safely, correctly and within time. Failing any one event ends the FPAT. After a first failure you wait 15 days to retest, and after a second or later failure 30 days.
How long do physical test results last?
OFAI lists 12 months for the FPAT, the Technical Skills Assessment and the swim test.
Can a doctor's note get me past the blood pressure screening?
No. For the treadmill test and FPAT, OFAI says a doctor's note cannot replace passing the on site readings. You need a blood pressure of 140/90 or lower and a pulse of 100 or lower, with up to six readings allowed.
Standards checked against OFAI's published pages in October 2026. Time standards, fees and policies can change, so confirm on OFAI before you train to a number or book. Sources: OFAI minimum requirements, OFAI Stage One (FACT), Stage Two hearing, Stage Two vision, Stage Two treadmill, Stage Three guide, Swim test guide. Top Candidate is independent and not affiliated with OFAI. See the full Ontario recruitment guide.
