There are two different things behind “fire fighting course requirements”. Workplace fire fighting training, for fire marshals and emergency teams, has no academic entry requirement set by law: the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 makes the employer responsible for providing the training. A career firefighter qualification is different: the NQF 4 Occupational Certificate: Firefighter lists NQF Level 4 with Mathematical Literacy, age 18 or older, and being physically and mentally fit.
This page keeps the two routes separate so you can tell which fire fighting course applies to you. For wider study guidance see our education requirements.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Workplace fire fighting training: arranged by your employer; the Act sets no matric, subject or APS requirement for it
- Career firefighter route: Occupational Certificate: Firefighter, NQF Level 4 with Mathematical Literacy
- Age and fitness (career route): 18 years or older, and physically and mentally fit
- First aid (career route): a current first aid level 3 certificate for the external assessment
No official listing defines a “fire fighting technician course”. If a provider sells one, ask which registered qualification or unit standard it leads to before you pay.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
The legal driver is the employer’s duty. The Act requires every employer to provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to health. Section 8(2)(e) adds that the employer must provide the information, instruction, training and supervision needed for the health and safety of employees. That is the basis for employer-arranged fire fighting training.
A 2025 gazette notice headed General Safety Regulations, 2025 also requires employers to provide an adequate supply of suitable fire fighting equipment at strategic locations and to keep it in good working order. Check with the Department of Employment and Labour which version of those regulations currently applies to your workplace.
Career route. The SAQA record for the Occupational Certificate: Firefighter sets the entry requirement as NQF Level 4 with Mathematical Literacy. For municipal firefighter posts, check the requirements in the advert itself or ask the fire service in your municipality.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
No APS applies to fire fighting training. For the basic workplace skill set, the registered standard is unit standard 252250, “Apply fire fighting techniques”, at NQF level 1 and worth 3 credits. It covers identifying fire types, prevention and operating basic fire fighting equipment. Its assumed learning is Communication and Mathematical Literacy at ABET level 3 or equivalent.
SAQA shows that this unit standard passed its registration end date on 30 June 2023, with a last date for enrolment of 30 June 2028. The Firefighter occupational certificate also shows as past its registration end date and re-registered, with enrolment allowed until 30 December 2026. Check the current status on SAQA before you enrol anywhere.
Documents and Application Requirements
For workplace training, ask your employer or the training provider for the document list; the Act does not prescribe one.
For the Occupational Certificate: Firefighter, SAQA states that learners need a signed portfolio of evidence and a copy of a current first aid level 3 certificate for the external assessment.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Ask what the practical covers. Fire fighting is a practical skill, so ask the provider what hands-on assessment is included before you book.
Intake timing. For the Firefighter occupational certificate, the last date for enrolment on SAQA is 30 December 2026, so confirm with the provider whether it is still enrolling learners for the next intake.
Cost and renewal. The Act places the duty to provide training on the employer, but it does not say how a particular course is funded or how often a certificate must be renewed. Ask your employer and your provider for both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs workplace fire fighting training?
Employees an employer appoints to an emergency role, such as fire marshals, need to be trained for it. The employer’s duty to provide training comes from section 8 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
What are the fire fighting course requirements for becoming a firefighter?
SAQA lists NQF Level 4 with Mathematical Literacy for the Occupational Certificate: Firefighter, with learners 18 or older and physically and mentally fit. Municipal recruitment may add its own conditions, so check the advert.
Do I need matric for a fire fighting training course?
The Act sets no academic entry for workplace training. Unit standard 252250 assumes Communication and Mathematical Literacy at ABET level 3 or equivalent. Individual providers may set their own conditions, so ask before you book.
Is there an APS for fire fighting courses?
No. APS applies to university admission, not to fire fighting training or the Firefighter occupational certificate.
Who pays for fire fighting training?
The employer must provide the training needed for employee safety. Confirm with your employer how it is funded in your case.
Do first aid certificates matter?
For the Firefighter occupational certificate, yes: a current first aid level 3 certificate is needed for the external assessment.
Confirm current requirements with your employer, the Department of Employment and Labour or your municipal fire service, and check any qualification on SAQA. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.