Qualifications & Eligibility Requirements

The first step, in qualifying to become a Baytown Firefighter, centers on an individual’s ability to meet certain educational, mental, and physical standards that have been established by the department. These requirements enable us to accurately gauge your capacity to meet the rigorous demands of firefighting and medical duties.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for hire.

Age

  • Applicant must be at least 19 years of age and less than 36 years of age by the date of hire.

Education

  • Applicant must possess a High School Diploma or GED at the time of examination.
  • An applicant may take the test if they have a course completion from an accredited Paramedic Program.
  • An applicant must possess certification through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians as an Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic or as a Texas Department of State Health Services certified Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic at the time of appointment.

Criminal History

  • Has never been nor currently on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense grade of a Class A misdemeanor or any felonies
  • Has not been nor currently on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense grade of a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years
  • Is not currently under indictment for any criminal offense
  • Has never been convicted of any family violence offense
  • Is not prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle

Traffic Convictions

  • Applicant must not have more than two moving traffic violation convictions within the 12-month period preceding the date of the written test. Overall driving record must be indicative of safe driving habits

Credit History

  • Applicant must have a stable credit history and not be delinquent in any just financial obligation

Polygraph

  • Applicant must submit to and pass a polygraph exam

Moral Character

  • Must be of good moral character and be considered a person of good reputation and good standing in the community
  • Must not be addicted to the habitual use of intoxicating beverages
  • Must not currently use illegal drugs
  • Must not have previously used illegal drugs or committed theft in violation of the Baytown Fire Department standards
  • Must not make a false statement, whether written or oral, of a material fact, or cheat or practice any deception or fraud in connection with any portion of the testing, application, background investigation, hiring, or appointment process

Military Service

  • Applicant must not have been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions. Dishonorable, Bad Conduct, or Other than Honorable discharges from the Armed Forces of the United States and convictions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) are cause for disqualification
  • Must provide a copy of Member 4 DD 214 of an honorable discharge at the testing site in order to be awarded veterans bonus points on the written exam. No photocopies will be made onsite, and electronic submissions are not accepted

Driver's License

  • At the time of appointment, applicant must possess a valid Texas driver's license

United States Citizenship

  • Applicant must be a United States Citizen

Written Exam

  • Applicants must pass the written test with a minimum score of 70%

Physical Ability Test (PAT)

  • Must pass the physical ability test given by the Baytown Fire Department