IAFF CPAT Official Preparation Guide
The eight CPAT events, the 10:20 time limit, and the official IAFF/IAFC program manual.
About This Resource
The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is the standardized firefighter physical fitness test developed jointly by the IAFF and IAFC. Eight timed events: stair climb, hose drag, equipment carry, ladder raise and extension, forcible entry, search, rescue drag, ceiling breach and pull. Total time limit is 10 minutes 20 seconds. Candidates wear a 50-pound weighted vest plus a 25-pound hose pack on the stair climb. Pass/fail; failing any single event fails the whole test. Most major Texas departments use CPAT or a department-specific PAT modeled on it. The IAFF publishes the official preparation guide with exact event specs and a recommended training timeline.
How to Use This Resource
Start at iaff.org/cpat, not the IAFF homepage. Read the eight events and the 10:20 limit. Download the 2nd Edition CPAT manual from the IAFF resources page if you need the official event specifications. Then use the development-and-administration page for orientation and practice-run rules. Build a 12-week event-specific plan. Phase 1 (weeks 1-4): cardiovascular base plus compound strength. Phase 2 (weeks 5-8): weighted vest stairs, sled drags, sledgehammer swings, farmer's walks. Phase 3 (weeks 9-12): full PAT simulations against the clock. Pace yourself on test day.
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