Overview
The Ontario Firefighter Assessment Initiative (OFAI) gives Ontario fire services a shared set of candidate tests so each municipality does not build its own. OFAI is wholly owned by the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. It provides the testing and the results. It does not hire: fire services run their own interviews and make final selection decisions.
Levels or stages
Every candidate starts at Stage One. Stage One and the Stage Two hearing assessment must both be passed before moving on to other stages.
Stage One
The Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test is a proctored, computer-based test with 110 multiple-choice items, weighted 45 percent aptitude and 55 percent character. You have up to three hours. Results are pass or fail only, and a successful certificate is added to your account within three business days.
Stage Two
Hearing assessment.
Vision assessment, completed externally with a doctor or optometrist.
Encapsulated treadmill test.
Stage Three
Firefighter Physical Aptitude Job-Related Tests (FPAT).
Firefighter Technical Skills Assessment.
Stage Four
A swim assessment, offered only when a municipal partner requires it.
Fees
As listed on the official site in 2026, these are the fees, with HST added.
| Assessment | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Stage One | $75 |
| Hearing | $50 |
| Encapsulated treadmill test | $110 |
| FPAT | $212 |
| Technical Skills | $270 |
The vision assessment fee is set by the optometrist. Rescheduling costs 50.
How to apply
Create an online account at ofai.ca and book assessments through it. You must answer an eight-question medical questionnaire. A "yes" to any question means you cannot take part without medical clearance from a physician. Testing takes place at the GTAA Fire and Emergency Training Institute in Mississauga, Ontario. OFAI offers accommodations for the Stage One test; request them 6 to 8 weeks ahead.
After the exam
Certificates download from your account as PDFs and are valid for a limited time.
| Certificate | Validity |
|---|---|
| Stage One, hearing, vision | 2 years |
| Treadmill test | 6 months |
| FPAT, Technical Skills, swim | 1 year |
After a failed assessment you must wait 15 days after the first failure and 30 days after later ones before retesting.
Preparation tips
Arrive at least 15 minutes early for Stage One with government-issued photo ID.
Plan to be on site for at least four hours when Stage One and Stage Two are booked together, as hearing and treadmill testing may follow the same day.
Arrive 30 minutes early for the treadmill and Stage Three assessments.