About the Fire Officer Examination
Key Takeaways
The Fire Officer Examination (FOE) is administered by the Civil Service Commission to establish the Register of Eligibles for appointment to second level ranks in the Bureau of Fire Protection.
The 2026 format has 150 test-proper items plus a 10-item Examinee Descriptive Questionnaire (EDQ), for 160 total entries; do not describe the EDQ as scored content.
For the 7 June 2026 administration, candidates needed a general rating of at least 80.00 and the announced application fee was PhP 700; later administrations may differ.
Eligibility criteria require applicants to be Filipino citizens aged 21 to 35 at application filing, holders of a baccalaureate degree, of good moral character, and mentally and physically fit; the age limit is waived for incumbent BFP personnel.
Fire Officer Eligibility is a second level eligibility valid only for fire protection service ranks and functionally related positions; the CSC states it is NOT comparable to Career Service Professional or Subprofessional Eligibility, and it confers nothing for PNP ranks.
About the Fire Officer Examination (FOE)
Quick Answer: The Fire Officer Examination is a Civil Service Commission examination that leads to Fire Officer Eligibility. For the June 7, 2026 administration, the test proper contains 150 items plus a 10-item Examinee Descriptive Questionnaire, allows 3 hours and 5 minutes, costs PhP 700, and requires a general rating of at least 80.00.
What passing does—and does not—mean
The CSC uses the FOE to establish a Register of Eligibles for appointment to second-level ranks in the Bureau of Fire Protection and functionally related positions. The resulting Fire Officer Eligibility is specific to that field and excludes Philippine National Police ranks; it is not the same as Career Service Professional or Subprofessional Eligibility. Passing does not guarantee hiring, promotion, or lateral entry. A candidate must still meet the qualifications and other requirements of the particular position. The 2026 announcement also lists several existing eligibilities whose holders may opt not to take the FOE, including Career Service Professional and qualifying RA 1080 eligibilities.
For 2026, the signed announcement identified one FOE administration on June 7. Do not assume that a fixed annual frequency or a prior retake interval applies to another administration; use the signed CSC announcement for the date on which you file.
Current 2026 exam map
| Exam detail | Signed 2026 specification |
|---|---|
| Administrator | Civil Service Commission |
| Test proper | 150 items |
| EDQ | 10 Examinee Descriptive Questionnaire items concerning personal data |
| Total | 160 items |
| Time limit | 3 hours, 5 minutes |
| Passing grade | General rating of at least 80.00 |
| Examination fee | PhP 700 |
| Result | Fire Officer Eligibility, specific second level |
The published scope assigns 25% to General Ability: verbal, analytical, and numerical ability. The remaining 75% is specialized content: Fire Suppression 30%, Fire Safety and Prevention 20%, Fire Investigation 15%, and Administrative Matters 10%. Those published percentages are the safest basis for allocating review time.
Admission boundary
The 2026 admission requirements include Filipino citizenship; age 21 through 35 at filing; good moral character; mental and physical fitness; no final conviction or discharge/dismissal described in the announcement; and a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution. The age rule is waived for incumbent BFP employees and may also be waived for qualifying former BFP employees with BFP endorsement and the required service. These are examination-admission rules. Appointment requirements—including the height rule referenced in RA 11549—are a separate stage.
The PhP 700 amount belongs to the announced 2026 administration and must not be projected as a future retake fee or permanent price. The announcement does not publish a general retake interval or guarantee another sitting. The document expressly provides forfeiture in specified cases, including certain age noncompliance and recalled application approval. On test day, the current advisory requires black ballpens and prohibits calculators, printed aids, separate scratch paper, and digital or wearable devices. Use the test booklet spaces for scratch work and follow the venue-specific CSC instructions.
What is the minimum general rating required to successfully pass the Fire Officer Examination (FOE)?
70.00%
75.00%
80.00%
85.00%
Which of the following correctly describes the subject area weight distribution of the Specialized Area in the FOE?
Fire Suppression 30%, Fire Safety & Prevention 20%, Fire Investigation 15%, Administrative Matters 10%
Fire Suppression 35%, Fire Safety & Prevention 15%, Fire Investigation 15%, Administrative Matters 10%
Fire Suppression 25%, Fire Safety & Prevention 25%, Fire Investigation 15%, Administrative Matters 10%
Fire Suppression 30%, Fire Safety & Prevention 25%, Fire Investigation 10%, Administrative Matters 10%
Under Civil Service Commission regulations, what is the age qualification range for civilian applicants filing for the Fire Officer Examination?
18 to 30 years old
21 to 35 years old
20 to 38 years old
18 to 35 years old
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.