Application and Exam Dates

This schedule is as of June 2026. 

Police Ranks Fire Ranks

Police Officer

  • Applications and exam scores accepted continuously 

Firefighter*

  • Application period: October 6 - November 17, 2026
  • NTN video exams: October 6 - November 24, 2026
  • Oral boards: January 20 - 30, 2027 (Wednesday - Saturday)

Police Sergeant

  • 2026 Exam administration complete
  • Next exam will be held in 2028 

Fire Lieutenant*

  • Application period: December 29, 2026 - January 12, 2027
  • Written exam: March 6, 2027
  • Oral board: May 22 - 23, 2027

Police Lieutenant* 

  • Application period: December 29, 2026 - January 12, 2027
  • Written exam: March 5, 2027
  • Oral board: April 1 - 9, 2027 (including writing exercise)

Fire Captain

  • 2026 Exam administration complete
  • Next exam will be held in 2028 

Police Captain* 

  • Application period: December 29, 2026 - January 12, 2027
  • Oral board: April 29 - May 8, 2027 (including writing exercise)

Fireboat Pilot

  • Application period: December 16 – 30, 2025
  • Written exam: June 2, 2026 
  • Practical exam: September 21 – 25, 2026 

     

Fireboat Engineer*

  • Application period: December 29, 2026 - January 12, 2027
  • Written exam: June 8, 2027
  • Practical exam: August 23 - 27, 2027 

     

Fire Battalion Chief

  • 2026 Exam administration complete
  • Next exam will be held in 2028 

*Exam dates are tentative

All promotional exams are administered on a biennial basis (every other year). For additional questions about promotional exam schedules, contact Rachael.Schade@seattle.gov (police exams) or Yoshiko.GraceMatsui@seattle.gov (fire exams). 

Find additional information about application and exam rules in the PSCSC Rules of Practice and Procedure

Public Safety Civil Service Commission

Address: 700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1670, Seattle, WA, 98124
Mailing Address: PO Box 94729, Seattle, WA, 98124-4729
Phone: (206) 233-7118
Phone Alt: (206) 437-5425
Fax: (206) 684-0755
publicsafety@seattle.gov

Seattle’s Public Safety Civil Service Commission (PSCSC) is a three member, impartial, quasi-judicial body.