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Frequently Asked Questions for CPAT Candidates
What does CPAT stand
for?
Candidate Physical Ability Test. More information about the background of
CPAT is available at the Alabama Fire College
web site or the IAFF web site:
http://www.alabamafirecollege.org/CPAT/cpat.htm or
http://www.iaff.org/HS/CPAT/cpat_index.html
Where are the locations
in Alabama
where CPAT is administered?
Alabama Fire College
Auburn Fire Department
Dothan Fire
Department
Fort Payne
Fire Department
Huntsville Fire
Department
Mobile Fire Department
Montgomery Fire
Department
Phenix City Fire
Department
Prattville Fire
Department
Tuscaloosa Fire
Department
When is the next CPAT
in Alabama?
Schedule and contact information for all Alabama CPAT sites can be found at
the Alabama Fire College web site
http://www.alabamafirecollege.org/CPAT/cpat.htm. Contact a particular CPAT
site for specific updated information.
What is CPAT
Orientation?
Orientation is an official part of the CPAT exam and is intended to provide
the candidate with an overview of the actual test. With a better
understanding of the nature of the test, the candidate can use the ensuing
eight weeks to prepare physically to take the test. During Orientation the
candidate will be given a guide book and will view a videotape describing
the eight tasks. Attendance at Orientation and conscientious physical
preparation will improve the candidate’s chance for successful completion
of the test.
Is the CPAT Orientation
required before taking the CPAT test?
It is very important that the candidate attend a CPAT Orientation prior to
taking the CPAT test itself. Officially, Orientation is strongly
recommended but is not mandatory. Orientation is scheduled approximately 8
weeks before the test and contains critical information about preparing for
the test. It appears that very few individuals pass CPAT when they do not
attend CPAT Orientation and physically prepare for the test. Although not
mandatory throughout the state, Orientation may be declared mandatory by
individual sites. Contact the particular CPAT site to determine policies,
dates, and requirements regarding CPAT Orientation.
Is advance registration
required for taking CPAT?
If you plan to take the CPAT Orientation or CPAT Exam at the Alabama Fire
College, you must register in advance. To register for CPAT Orientation
fax or email your department name, number of candidates, and your telephone
number. Advance registration varies from site to site. Always check with
the host site to determine if there are advance registration requirements.
When a candidate passes
CPAT, how long do the results stay in effect?
Successful
CPAT results are good for one (1) year. This means that when a
candidate passes CPAT, he or she must enter a recruit school within one (1)
year. After one (1) year without entering a
recruit school, an individual must retake the test.
If a candidate has to
retake CPAT, does he or she have to attend the Orientation again?
Individuals do not need another Orientation if they are retaking CPAT after
a failure or after expiration of successful results. However, if the
candidate failed CPAT, it is strongly recommended that he or she attend
orientation again.
If an individual passes
CPAT and is ready to enter a recruit school within 1 year, what CPAT
documentation is needed prior to entering the recruit school?
All fire chiefs must make sure they have properly submitted the required
Notice of Employment, Physical Statement, and CPAT Form for each trainee
entering recruit school. If individuals attempt to enter a recruit school
without these required documents, they will be declared ineligible.
The Alabama Fire College CPAT Form specifies that an individual has passed
an authorized CPAT; it is official when it is an original Form signed and
dated by the local CPAT test site administrator, the candidate’s home fire
chief, and the candidate. The Alabama Fire College CPAT Form is available
from the Alabama Fire College web site at
alabamafirecollege.org/cpat/cpatform.
Is it possible to take
the CPAT in another state?
No, the candidate must successfully complete the CPAT exam at an approved
CPAT test site in Alabama.
What if a candidate
wants to take the CPAT at one test site and attend a recruit school at
another site?
This is
acceptable assuming the fire chief has properly contacted the recruit
school chief about any specific requirements of that recruit school. All
recruit schools will need the official Alabama Fire College CPAT Form and
copies of the Notice of Employment and Physical Statement. Remember that
recruits will be removed from the recruit school on the first day if they
do not have all of the required documentation. |
