CPAT Testing Center

This place is basically a giant scam. They charge you a whopping $ 150 to do a ridiculously easy physical test that in no way measures firefighting ability or the required endurance to be a firefighter. There was already a legitimate test called the ‘Biddle’ which is available for like $ 10. So these CPAT guys went «Hey we could do that but instead of $ 10 we’ll charge those poor suckers $ 150!» You have to come back every year and ‘re-​certify’ or else you can’t apply to a lot of departments. Pretty obvious they made a few back room handshakes with some big departments and now rake in the big $ by ripping off poor EMTs and Reserve FFs trying to become firefighters. It is extortion at the highest level, and I hope that one day this place gets shut down and the Biddle emerges as the only physical test you need to get hired.

This facility is a pretty well oiled machine. From registering on the website to arrival times, it’s very well run.
I think many people have the gruff with the fact that the departments require the test. But fitness is a part of the job and departments don’t want to waste time interviewing, running backgrounds and committing time and resources to hire a smart person who is unfit.
So as much complaining as there is with the testing center, I think most people are upset that they have to take the test. But if you want the job, you gotta play ball.
This place is very well run, don’t let those who are frustrated by the fact that most departments require the test deter you from coming to this facility. I was in and out in 30-​minutes.

This place and its employees and the test itself is an absolute joke, I was told by one of the proctors ‚” I expect you wont pass «I’m 160 lbs and very fit, not to mention where the hell is the Brotherhood??? These guys are a bunch of Knobs and full of themselves. it’s nothing but a joke and the money is going into someones pocket. Not to mention just because you take this test Does Not mean You will pass the academy and there is No guarantee. I’ve been a Firefighter for 9 years and this is the biggest waste of time.

Totally easy and a Waste of money but required by many FDs to apply.
If I could avoid coming here 1−2x a year and paying $ 150 every time I would. Waste of money and taking advantage of everyone who thinks they will just take this and be able to get hired. Should be free and paid for by agencies hiring people. the cost is passed to poor EMTs that are chasing their dream job.
Aside from that part of this whole joke of a physical test, the people are decently polite but mostly talking with each other about their weekend plans while you are there.
They start by having you sign a few releases, put all your phone, keys, and wallet in a bag, watch a demo video and warm up if you need to. then you get a slightly sweaty pair of cheap leather gardening gloves and a hard hat. They run through the course, and you get your picture taken and put on a card. We used to get a shirt now you just get a card.
its easy, if you are strong enough to pick up a 5 gallon bucket of paint and move it from your cart to the back of your minivan you will pass. also enough cardio to run a slow paced half mile would help.

There is more than one of these throughout California. It is a scam and a monopoly to take money to from people trying to make a career in the fire service. They run a fairly simple physical test which takes about 6 minutes and takes a total of 30 minutes of their time. Then they charge these people $ 150 each time they take the test or $ 100 to re-​take the test the same day (if they failed to follow one of the little rules of the test).
One of the old tests for firefighter fitness/​agility cost about $ 3 from the local college, was much more demanding and a much better evaluation of what a firefighter’s job entails.
It’s obvious how much money they are raping from these kids by the owner’s Porsche parked in front.
SAD!