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Department-Funded CPAT

Local fire departments also have the option to assume the cost of the CPAT.  NIPSTA offers the CPAT on a monthly schedule, allowing departments the opportunity to meet their immediate scheduling needs.

Candidates are scheduled by departments based on the NIPSTA CPAT schedule allowing for the eight- week Pre-Test Preparation Program , which includes two scheduled orientations, two practice runs, and the test.  The orientations and practice run sessions allow for mentoring from trained NIPSTA personnel, and access to specialized CPAT facilities and equipment.  Upon completion of the test, the department receives from NIPSTA a confidential report of candidate results.  A CPAT identification card is not provided to the candidates.

An administration fee of $129 per candidate is assessed by NIPSTA to each department - but NIPSTA member departments pay only $79 per candidate.

Significant cost savings may be realized by multiple departments cooperatively schedule sessions on the same dates.  The CPAT administration fee that is assessed to each department is reduced for candidates who seek employment with more than one department.  This results in the fee being divided among the departments involved.

There are not any fees assessed to candidates in this Department-Funded Option.  However, the IAFF does require that each department apply for a no-cost CPAT license and conduct a transportability study to ensure that the CPAT test adequately measures the skills and abilities required for employment.  Assistance in fulfilling these obligations is available upon request from NIPSTA.