PORTSMOUTH CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
NOTICE OF EXAMINATION
Posted September 25, 2026
POSITION: Firefighter
ELIGIBLE: All United States citizens. Applicants must be 18 years of age as of hire date, have a high school education or the equivalent thereof. State law forbids the original appointment of a firefighter on or after their 41st birthday.
APPLICATION: Qualified applicants must register for the examination by picking up, completing and
submitting an application, available in the Municipal Building, Office of the City Solicitor, 728
Second St. Room 22, Portsmouth, Ohio 740-353-5229. Completed applications may be
returned between the hours of 7:00 A.M and 11:00 A.M. on the following dates:
September 28, 29, 30
October 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8
NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THAT TIME.
Applications must be typed or printed in ink and signed by the applicant.
EXAMINATION: The written examination will be conducted on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at the Scioto County Welcome Center, 342 Second St. Portsmouth, Ohio. All applicants must report to the testing site between 10:45 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. Photo ID required.
VETERAN’S CREDIT: Veterans of the Armed Services of the United States who qualify and receive a passing grade on the examination will receive an additional twenty per cent (20%) on the examination pursuant to state law and local Civil Service Rules. A complete copy of Form DD-214 MUST be attached to the application.
FAILURE TO ATTACH SUCH PROOF OF HONORABLE DISCHARGE WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FOR VETERAN’S CREDIT.
PARAMEDIC CREDIT: Applicants with a paramedic certificate who qualify and receive a passing grade on the exam are eligible to receive an additional ten (10%) percent on the examination pursuant to local Civil Service Rules. To be eligible, the certificate must be a valid certificate issued by the State of Ohio, Board of Emergency Medical Services. Applicants who desire to apply for the additional credit must submit a certified copy of the certification attached to the application.
FAILURE TO ATTACH A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE VALID CERTIFICATION WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FOR PARAMEDIC CREDIT.
A minimum score of 70% is required to pass the written portion of the examination. Those who pass the written entrance exam and are offered employment must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening and background check.