2026 Statewide Fire Chief Examination

Please find the key dates and other information for the promotional examination.

Key Dates

Application Opening: March 23, 2026
Application Deadline: April 14, 2026
Notice to Appear Release Date: May 22, 2026
Written Examination Administration Date: June 6, 2026
Assessment Center Administration Date: June 13, 2026
Experience/Certification/Training & Education (ECT&E) Deadline: TBD
Score Release Date: TBD
ECT&E Last Day to Appeal: TBD
Eligible List Establishment Date: TBD

Written Exam Location: TBD
AC Exam Location: Hudson, MA
Application Fee: $150

The Human Resources Division does not recommend or endorse any third-party private business, service, or school offering preparation courses and/or publications for examinations and is not responsible for any misleading or inaccurate representations, or advertising claims.

Next Steps

1. Review materials outlined on the reading list
2. Apply for the examination beginning on March 23, 2026
   • You will receive two confirmation emails when you have completed the process: one email confirming your application has been received, and one email confirming your payment has been received.
   • Your application is not complete until you have received both confirmation emails.
3. A notice to appear for the examination will be emailed to candidates two weeks before the examination date.  The notice will tell you the location and the time to appear for your examination.  Please check your junk or spam mail folder for the email before contacting this office.
4. Leading up to the written examination date, candidates will be required to file their Experience/Certification/Training & Education (ECT&E) claims; It is a mandatory examination component and will result in a failing score if the claim is not completed.  Supporting documentation will be accepted up to seven calendar days following the original written examination date by email: [e-mail]
5. On the written examination & assessment center dates, please make sure you have read and complied with all the instructions provided on the notice to appear.
6. Examination results will be sent by email.
7. Once you have received your score, please make sure that your submitted documentation supports the information referenced on your ECT&E claim in the section Your claim was amended in the following way:  Appeals must be filed within seventeen calendar days from the date your score notice was sent.
8. Candidates will be able to view their ranking on the eligible list, once it has been established.

Examinations & Participating Departments

Please note that participating departments are listed within the exam posting, and you must find the posting that contains your department.

1YP: 1 Year Prior Experience

Fire Chief 1YP-442
The examination weights are: 40% Written Examination (Technical Knowledge); 40% Assessment Center; 20% ECT&E.

Eligible Title: Deputy Fire Chief
City/Town: Westfield

Fire Chief 1YP-532
The examination weights are: 50% Written Examination (Technical Knowledge); 30% Assessment Center; 20% ECT&E.

Eligible Title: Deputy Fire Chief
City/Town: New Bedford

Note

Please make sure your current email address is associated with your Civil Service online account.  For instructions on how to make changes to your account, click here How to update Your Account Contact Information. All notices are sent by email. Please check your junk or spam mail folder for the email before contacting this office. You are also able to view all email notices sent to you from our office by logging into your Civil Service account and viewing your inbox.

Date published:	December 10, 2025
Last updated:	December 12, 2025