Firefighter – Hillsborough County Fire Rescue is a Certificate program offered by Aparicio-Levy Technical College in Tampa, FL. The program takes 492 clock hours (7 months) to complete, with a total tuition of $1,617.
Program Overview
Firefighter – Hillsborough County Fire Rescue – 492 clock hours. The Firefighter program offers a broad foundation of knowledge and skills to prepare students to take the Florida Minimum Standards Firefighter written and hands-on tests and for employment in the fire science realm that ranges from a frontline firefighter to entry-level fire inspectors and investigators.
This training program content includes, but is not limited to, orientation to the fire service, fire alarms and communication, vehicles, apparatus and equipment, fire behavior, portable extinguishers, fire streams, fundamentals of extinguishment, ladders, hoses, tools and equipment, forcible entry, salvage, overhaul, ventilation, rescue, protective breathing equipment, first responder emergency medical techniques, water supplies, principles of in-service inspections, safety, controlled burning, and employability skills.
Our academies follow the State of Florida Firefighter curriculum, which offers comprehensive training that prepares the candidate to take the State Certification exams. The curriculum includes the framework set by the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training.
What sets this Program apart
Approved by the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training. This program is approved by the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training at the Florida State Fire College.
Training at a working fire-rescue facility. Aparicio-Levy Technical College operates Firefighter training at two COE approved Instructional Service Centers: Firefighters are trained at the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Facility and at the Tampa Fire Rescue Facility.
State certification tests. At the end of the program, students will take the Minimum Standards Firefighter written and hands-on tests.
Admission Requirements and Process
Who HTC serves. Hillsborough Technical Colleges (HTC), a postsecondary extension of Hillsborough County Public Schools, is dedicated to providing career-focused education and workforce training for adult learners. Adult students are those not enrolled in a secondary education program. Some programs, due to licensure, certification, and/or clinical requirements may require students to be 18 years of age or older and/or hold a standard high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Getting started. An individual interested in attending an HTC program should visit the main campus and discuss the program of interest with the appropriate school counselor/program advisor. The school counselor/program advisor will provide a program summary and information related to any special program requirements.
Applications. HTC accepts applications on a nondiscriminatory, space-available, first come, first enrolled basis for anyone having an interest, ability, and desire to seek employment and/or enhance their professional skills. All applications are submitted through each HTC school website under “APPLY NOW.” After the application is submitted, the appropriate school counselor/program advisor will contact students with next steps.
Enrollment. Once perspective students have completed an application, submitted required admission documents for their program of interest, and paid the start-up fees the student will be marked “enrolled” in the school.
Florida residency. To receive in-state tuition rates, students must complete a Residency Statement and submit appropriate documentation supporting residency in Florida for the year prior to enrollment. Students under the age of 24 must have their parents complete and sign the statement and provide their residency documentation, unless otherwise exempt.
International applicants. Foreign/International Applicants are not accepted currently. HTC is permitted to accept non-citizens who hold valid Alien Registration cards or who have received a current INS form I-797C, Notice of Action, noting that they have been fingerprinted and have passed a background screening.
Language. Lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation. Readiness is assessed through placement tests, with counseling and referrals provided as needed to better prepare students for successful participation.
For this program. High school diploma or GED, age 18 or above. Additional Requirements: Acceptable background screening and passing physical exam. Students must have completed an accredited Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program in order to enroll in this program. Students must be at least 18 years of age to participate in live fire training exercises.
General Requirements
- ApplicationSubmit an application through the school website under “APPLY NOW.” HTC accepts applications on a space-available, first come, first enrolled basis.
- Admission documents and start-up feesSubmit the required admission documents for your program of interest and pay the start-up fees, including the non-refundable $20 application fee, to be marked “enrolled.”
- Florida residency for in-state tuitionComplete a Residency Statement and submit documentation supporting residency in Florida for the year prior to enrollment; a Florida resident is a person whose official residence…
- Basic skillsCareer Certificate students must meet the program’s minimum basic skills grade levels (Computation (Mathematics) – 10; Communications (Language & Reading) – 10) by the end of…
- High school diploma or GED, age 18 or aboveHigh school diploma or GED, age 18 or above. Additional Requirements: Acceptable background screening and passing physical exam.
- Completed EMT programStudents must have completed an accredited Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program in order to enroll in this program.
- Age for live fire trainingStudents must be at least 18 years of age to participate in live fire training exercises.
Application Process
- 1Talk with a school counselor/program advisorAn individual interested in attending an HTC program should visit the main campus and discuss the program of interest with the appropriate school counselor/program advisor, who will provide a program summary and information related to any special program requirements.
- 2Submit your applicationAll applications are submitted through each HTC school website under “APPLY NOW.” Students enrolling in a Career Certificate program are charged a non-refundable $20 application fee.
- 3Complete the FAFSAStudents who wish to apply for financial aid must go online and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); it is recommended that the completed application be submitted at the time of application. List all three HTC federal codes on your application; Aparicio-Levy Technical College’s code is 041942.FAFSA Code for Instructional Service Center – Hillsborough County Fire Rescue: 041942FAFSA
- 4Submit documents and pay start-up feesOnce perspective students have completed an application, submitted required admission documents for their program of interest, and paid the start-up fees the student will be marked “enrolled” in the school. At the time of registration, students will receive a fee sheet outlining the estimated costs associated with their program.
- 5Attend orientationPrior to the first day of class, program advisors or guidance counselors conduct a student orientation. Students will also receive a more specific program orientation as well as the program guide and course syllabi from the program instructor throughout the first week of class.
Program Schedule
Program information. The State framework for this program is 492 clock hours. The program may be offered during the day, evenings, and/or weekends, depending on the cohort selected by the student. This program is taught in English. Dress code information will be given to students during orientation.
This cohort. Instruction for the evening/Saturday program takes place in a classroom and on the practice range at the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) facility, located at 9450 E. Columbus Drive, Tampa.
Length. Evenings and Saturdays, approximately 7 months. The district’s 2026-2027 HTC Program Offerings page lists the program as 492 + 40 hours.
Next start. The college’s homepage lists the next available academies (Tampa Academy / Hillsborough Academy) as February 2027.
Attendance. Students may not miss any more than 10 percent of the total program hours, in any combination of absences and tardies: for the 492-hour Firefighter program the maximum allowable absences are 49 hours.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name |
|---|---|
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Aparicio-Levy Technical College is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
Hillsborough County Public Schools is accredited by Cognia, and Hillsborough Technical Colleges also operate under this accreditation.
The Firefighter program is approved by the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training at the Florida State Fire College.
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Program costs (2026-27 academic year). Tuition fees are $2.92 per clock hour, for Florida residents, for classes scheduled from 7/1/26 to 6/30/27. Tuition, fees, books, supplies, and certification exam amounts are approximate and subject to slight changes. Florida Resident Tuition (492 clock hrs) $1,616.64; Fees (includes rental gear) $1,826; Estimated books & supplies $536.49.
Total program cost. The total program costs that students pay to the school, at the time of this printing, was $3,979.13 (includes tax) for the program operated at Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. This cost includes rental gear.
Costs paid to outside agencies. Students will incur various other personal costs that they will pay to outside agencies including, but not limited to: physical exam, fingerprinting, purchase of personal gear, and certification exam fees. The certification exam is listed at $72.00 (student pays to outside agencies).
Application fee and other fees. Students enrolling in a Career Certificate program are charged a non-refundable $20 application. Additional program-specific costs and fees may apply and can include accident insurance, liability insurance, fingerprinting, drug screening, lab fees, textbooks, supplies, uniforms and shoes, physical examinations, and professional tools and equipment. At the time of registration, students will receive a fee sheet outlining the estimated costs associated with their program.
Non-residents. Non-Florida residents pay $11.31 per clock/clinical hour for Career Certificate programs. All students must pay for the total number of clock hours in their program prior to graduation. If necessary, students may make arrangements to pay in installments by signing a Tuition Deferred Payment Form.
Financial aid. Aparicio-Levy Technical College is approved to participate in the Federal Pell Grant program (federal code 041942). The handbook’s Pell criteria require enrolling in an approved Career Certificate program (minimum 450 clock hours), while its list of grants shows Federal Pell Grant (600 hrs. and above). State-funded aid includes the Florida First Responder Scholarship (FFRS) and the Open Door Grant; sponsors include the Veterans Administration and Career Source Tampa Bay (WIOA). HTC campuses do not offer loans.
Refunds. A student who withdraws from Career Certificate/Applied Technology Diploma programs will receive a refund of prorated tuition if the student withdraws on or before 10 percent of the scheduled course hours have commenced. After 10 percent of the scheduled course hours have commenced, no refund will be provided.
Curriculum
Program Length: 492 clock hours. State Program Number P430211. The program follows the FLDOE State Curriculum Framework and is divided into courses identified by Occupational Completion Points (OCPs) and State Course numbers. Each course must be successfully completed in order, according to school policies.
To qualify for a Career Certificate, both Fire Fighter I & II courses must be satisfactorily completed. The standards and objectives established by the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training are used in this program.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Total |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Career path. The Firefighter program prepares students for employment in the fire science realm that ranges from a frontline firefighter to entry-level fire inspectors and investigators.
Licensure. At the end of the program, students will take the Minimum Standards Firefighter written and hands-on tests.
Career Information (SOC Code). 33-2011.00 Firefighters.
What to expect as an Aparicio-Levy Technical College student
About the college. Aparicio-Levy Technical College was dedicated on April 21, 2006, with the mission of preparing qualified entry-level employees. It is a public postsecondary school within Hillsborough County Public Schools. Located on a 26,000-square-foot campus built in 2006, it offers career and technical programs at its main campus and several off-site training locations, with flexible day, evening, and weekend scheduling.
Vision and mission. Vision: Preparing adult students for life and the workforce. Mission: To provide an education and supports which enable each adult student to obtain employment in the workforce.
Academic success. Students who experience the most academic success attend class daily, participate fully and complete assignments. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 for each OCP/State Course to remain in good standing in career certificate programs. Backup childcare and transportation plans should be determined prior to enrollment to ensure you are able to attend class and clinicals.
Orientation. Prior to the first day of class, program advisors or guidance counselors conduct a student orientation to provide essential information regarding institutional and program-specific policies and procedures, including attendance requirements, financial aid, program policies, expectations for program success and completion, technology requirements, and uniform standards.
Books. ALTC does not maintain a designated bookstore. The Bookkeeper will order textbooks prior to the beginning of each course. Each program’s Fee Sheet will list the textbook title and cost, and the ISBN number will be included to assist students who wish to purchase the books elsewhere.
Remediation. Any student who is required to take the TABE and scores below the minimum skills level in any area will be encouraged to enroll in an Adult Basic Education (ABE) remediation through Hillsborough Technical Colleges. The tuition for an ABE class is $45 per block (January – June or July – December).
Job placement. Placement services are available to all students at the campuses. Instructors and staff support students to find jobs as they prepare to complete their programs. Each campus has services available to assist students individually with resumes, interview techniques, and job searches.
Transcripts. Students will receive one free official and one free unofficial transcript upon completion of their postsecondary adult Career Certificate training program.