News Updates
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
The Seattle Public Safety Civil Service Commission (“PSCSC”), acting under the authority of SMC 4.08.070, section A, proposes to amend the following Public Safety Civil Service Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure:
- Rule 9.23 KEYED COPY INSPECTION AND EXAMINATION PROTEST AND REVIEW
- Rule 9.24 CORRECTION OF CLERICAL ERRORS
The intent of the Rules revision is to improve the readability and clarify that candidates may not file a protest or appeal regarding their scores. This clarification will help police and fire promotional candidates and test administrators engage with the exam protest and appeal process. This is not a change, it is status quo.
Copies of the current 9.23 and 9.24 PSCSC Rules and proposed revisions (one showing “tracked changes” and one with proposed changes accepted) can be viewed by clicking the links below.
- PSCSC Rules 9.23 and 9.24 (current)
- Proposed revisions to 9.23 and 9.24 (tracked changes)
- Proposed revisions to 9.23 and 9.24 (changes accepted)
Interested persons are invited to submit public comment the following ways:
- By email to publicsafety@seattle.gov. Include “Public Comment” in the subject line.
- In person at the PSCSC meeting on January 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.; the meeting is located at the Seattle Municipal Tower in the PSCSC hearing room at 700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1679, Seattle, Washington 98104.
Written comment must be received no later than noon on January 13, 2026. The Commission may take final rulemaking action at its meeting on Wednesday January 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Record Number of Candidates Pass Seattle Police Officer Exam
As of October 31, 2025, 1,182 candidates have passed the City’s civil service exam for police officers — the highest number since the Public Safety Civil Service Commission began tracking results in 2012.
The Seattle Civil Service Department and the Public Safety Civil Service Commission (PSCSC) anticipate the upward trend will continue through year’s end. Applications are also on pace to exceed 2024’s record totals, with full results to be released in the Civil Service Department’s 2025 annual report.
More information about police officer candidates can be found in the full PSCSC November 17, 2025 press release.
The Seattle Firefighter Hiring Process Opens on October 7, 2025
Interested candidates may visit SFD’s website to learn more about the hiring process and the job of a Seattle firefighter. More information about the application and exam process can be found in the Seattle Firefighter Application FAQs.
Key dates:
- October 7 – November 25: application period
- October 7 – December 9: exams completed
- January 21 – February 7: in-person oral board interviews (Wednesday through Saturday)
Successful candidates will be placed on the eligibility register for hiring consideration. The first recruit class will begin in August 2026.
Direct your questions about the application and testing process to our exam staff at FireCareers@seattle.gov.
2024 CIV Annual Report
The 2024 Annual Report for the Civil Service Department (CIV) is now available, with 2024 highlights and regular work of both of Seattle's civil service commissions.
Firefighter entry-level exams to be held annually
After many years of administering entry-level fire fighter exams every two years, the PSCSC and SFD are pleased to announce that the test and register creation process will be held annually. Candidates who participated in the 2024 exam process must reapply and test in fall of 2025 to maintain eligibility beyond 2026. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply or reapply in the fall of 2025. More information about the upcoming application and timeline, as well as hiring and eligibility information, can be found in PSCSC Executive Director Andrea Scheele's March 10, 2025 memo.
Seattle Sees Surge in Police and Firefighter Applications
Seattle, WA – The City of Seattle’s Public Safety Civil Service Commission (PSCSC) is pleased to announce major public safety staffing achievements in 2024, with recordbreaking numbers of applications for the ranks of Firefighter and Police Officer. Thanks to the dedicated work of our staff, Seattle is experiencing an unprecedented increase in applications, which will support hiring and help stabilize Seattle’s public safety workforce.
Read more in the January 28, 2025 press release.
Record-Breaking: PSCSC Delivers SPD Largest List of Eligible Police Candidates Since 2019
Applications for Seattle Police Officer Jobs Tripled in May, June 2024
Seattle - On Friday, July 5, 2024, the City of Seattle’s Public Safety Civil Service Police Commission (PSCSC) published its largest police officer eligibility list since 2019. The list of 205 candidates who passed the civil service exam has been sent to the Seattle Police Department (SPD) for additional pre-employment screening steps and potential hire.
Read more in the July 12, 2024 press release.
PSCSC staff publishes due diligence report regarding police officer exams and vendors
Key findings and recommendations are available in the June 17, 2024 report