Technical Knowledge
70 multiple-choice questions, closed book, based on the rank’s official reading list.
Study the assigned portions of the specified editions. Observe the reading list’s page, chapter, and title-wide exclusions.
Massachusetts · Civil service promotion
Fire Captain preparation
Study the assigned reading, then practice evaluating an officer’s decisions.
Your assigned reading
Use the specified editions and mark an assignment after reading it and recalling its main points without notes. Open each title for its exact assignment and exclusions.
HRD reading list amended November 17, 2025. Page numbers refer to the assigned printed edition; the heading boundaries help locate exclusions in other formats.
Open the official Captain reading list (PDF)Loading progress…reading assignments checked
Saved in this browser on this device. Each rank has its own checklist.
Use a repeatable study routine
- Read the assigned portion and respect both the chapter exclusions and the title-wide exclusions.
- Close the book. Explain the main ideas, distinctions, and procedures in your own words.
- Reopen the text to correct gaps. Write a short question and its source page for anything you missed.
- Revisit those questions in a later session and mix subjects before a closed-book review.
For the law assignment, track the section number and the version specified by HRD. The current online law may differ from the version assigned for this past exam cycle.
Building Construction Related to the Fire Service4th edition · 2016 · 0/10 checked
IFSTA / Fire Protection Publications
Assigned: Chapters 2–11, with the exclusions below.
Exclude throughout this title: Case histories; Formulas; Figures; Tables.
Exclude:
- Pages 56–61: “Laboratory-Tested Data” up to end of chapter.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 1Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 1Exclude:
- Pages 141–145: “Testing Interior Finishes” up to “Ceilings”.
- Pages 162–165: “Fire Door Maintenance” up to end of chapter.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 1Exclude:
- Pages 195–202: “Quality Control of Lumber” up to “Wood Structural Systems”.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Exclude:
- Pages 264–266: “Quality Control of Concrete” up to “Fire Resistance of Concrete Construction”.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Fire Officer Principles and Practice5th edition · 2025 · 0/9 checked
Michael J. Ward · NFPA / Jones & Bartlett Learning
Assigned: Chapters 3–9, 14, and 15, with the exclusions below.
Exclude throughout this title: Charts; Tables; Figures; Fire Officer Tips; Appendices; Voice of Experience.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Exclude:
- Pages 105–112: start of chapter up to “Emergency Incident Communications”.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Exclude:
- Pages 163–176: start of chapter up to “Human Resources”.
- Pages 187–195: “Incident Reports” up to end of chapter.
Exclude:
- Pages 209–214: “Building and Occupancy Classifications” up to “NFPA 704 Marking System”.
Exclude:
- Pages 239–243: start of chapter up to “Incident Types”.
- Pages 264–267: “Sizing Up the Incident” up to “Developing an Incident Action Plan”.
Exclude:
- Pages 294–296: “Fire Service Organizations” up to “Reducing Firefighter Deaths”.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics5th edition · 2019 · 0/19 checked
Fire Engineering Books
Assigned: Chapters 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, with the exclusions below.
Exclude throughout this title: Case histories; Figures; Tables.
Exclude:
- Pages 23–29: “Construction” up to “Location and Extent of the Fire”.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Exclude:
- Pages 160–164: “Ladders 4” up to “Laddering”.
Exclude:
- Pages 198–209: “Through-the-Lock Forcible Entry” up to “The Mul-T-Lock Door”.
Exclude:
- Pages 263–266: “The Roofs Team’s Observations” up to end of chapter.
Exclude:
- Pages 267–268: start of chapter up to “Primary and Secondary Search”.
- Pages 270–274: “Thermal Imaging Cameras (TICs)” up to “Emergency Maneuvers”.
Exclude:
- Pages 285–296: start of chapter up to “Firefighter Accountability”.
- Pages 315–332: “Removing Unconscious Firefighters” up to end of chapter.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 3Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 3Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 3Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 3Exclude:
- Pages 523–527: start of chapter up to “Electrical Hazards”.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 3Exclude:
- Pages 577–588: start of chapter up to “Types of Terrorist WMD Agents and CBRNE Weapons”.
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 148 — Fire PreventionAs amended through the reading list’s release date · 0/14 checked
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Assigned: Only the 14 assigned sections below. Use the statutory version specified by HRD for this cycle.
Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Read the assigned section in the required statutory version.
Reading-list source: page 3Your checklist records reading activity, not an exam-readiness score. Use your own books; this plan does not contain a technical-knowledge multiple-choice question bank.
Situational judgment practice
Rate each proposed action on its own. You may use a rating more than once, and you do not have to use all four ratings. Use only the facts in the scenario.
Original CTS learning exercises and coaching ratings. These are not official HRD or Talogy items or scoring keys, and results do not predict an examination score.
Conflicting training completion records
Captain Avery reviews a monthly training summary for two companies. One summary reports every member complete, but the attendance sheets identify three members who were absent. The lieutenant who prepared the summary says they expected those members to attend a makeup session next week. The written reporting rule allows completion to be recorded only after attendance is documented.
1 · Highly ineffectiveVery likely to make matters worse or leave the issue unresolved.
2 · IneffectiveUnlikely to resolve the issue, or likely to make it worse.
3 · EffectiveLikely to help or address part of the issue.
4 · Highly effectiveVery likely to help or address most or all of the issue.
The 2026 examination format
The January 2026 candidate guide describes a computer-based session with Technical Knowledge (TK) followed by Situational Judgment (SJT). The following details apply to that cycle.
Situational Judgment
10–15 scenarios, with 4–6 actions to rate per scenario.
Judge each action’s effectiveness independently. Consider the stated facts and any policy information supplied in the scenario.
One continuous session: 3 hours, 5 minutes
The guide recommends this allocation within the single timed session:
- Initial instructions
- 10 min
- Technical Knowledge
- 105 min
- SJT instructions
- 10 min
- Situational Judgment
- 60 min
Source: candidate preparation guide, printed pages 3–5 (PDF pages 4–6). Timing guidance is an allocation within the overall limit, not separate stopped clocks.
Six judgment competencies
Accountability
Apply expectations fairly, keep accurate records, and address problems promptly.
Adaptability
Adjust to changing conditions while remaining composed and professional.
Analyzing and Deciding
Check relevant facts, compare alternatives, and make a timely, supported decision.
Developing Self and Others
Seek feedback, identify learning needs, and build a practical improvement plan.
Interpersonal Interactions
Listen, handle disagreement constructively, and maintain respectful working relationships.
Leadership
Set clear goals, assign work, use available resources, and check progress.
Competency summaries adapted from the guide, printed pages 3–4. The practice tab uses original CTS scenarios.
Experience, Certification, Training & Education (ECT&E)
The 2026 HRD examination notice also requires a separate ECT&E claim. Read the rank-specific claim instructions, scoring guide, and documentation requirements on HRD’s site. Confirm the deadline and your department’s examination posting directly with HRD.
Completing this study plan does not submit a claim or determine eligibility, examination credit, or promotion.
HRD examination notice and ECT&E resourcesOfficial documents
- Fire Captain reading list, amended November 17, 2025 (PDF)
- HRD preparation guides: select the 2026 Fire Lieutenant and Captain candidate guide and ECT&E materials
- 2026 Fire Lieutenant & Captain examination notice
Reading scope and format reviewed October 4, 2026. The April 7, 2026 exam has passed; future announcements may change the format or assigned references. CTS is an independent preparation provider and is not endorsed by HRD or Talogy.