Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)

The IAFF/IAFC Fire Service Joint Labor-Management Wellness-Fitness Task Force was established in 1997 to address the need for a holistic, non-punitive approach to wellness and fitness in the fire service.

Recognizing that some municipalities were hiring candidates who lacked the physical capacity for a successful career, the Task Force unanimously agreed to create a standardized pre-employment test. This effort led to the development and validation of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), now the industry standard for hiring fire fighters.

Since then, both the Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) and the CPAT program have been adopted by fire departments across the U.S. and Canada. Task Force jurisdictions have also served as resources, assisting departments in their regions with program implementation.

More than 20 years after its founding, the Task Force remains committed to advancing wellness and fitness in the fire service through positive, rehabilitative, and educational approaches.

Among its major achievements, the CPAT program stands out: since its release in 1999, more than 900 jurisdictions have successfully adopted this critical tool for ensuring candidates are prepared for the demands of the profession.