Pacific Southwest Region


WCT FAQ's

REGION 5
Work Capacity Test (WCT)
Frequently Asked Questions
March 2008

  1. How many opportunities does a permanent employee, who is required to pass the Work Capacity Test (WCT) for duties associated with his/her position, have to pass the WCT?
    Answer: Three
  1. What action should be taken after a permanent employee, required to pass the WCT for duties associated with his/her position, fails the WCT after three attempts?
    Answer:  Action should be initiated to address the employee’s fitness limitations. Consult your servicing Employee Relations Specialist/Staffing Specialist for assistance.
  1. How many opportunities does a temporary employee, who is required to pass the WCT for duties associated with his/her position, have to pass the WCT?
    Answer:  The 2007 National guidelines indicate one, as the WCT is a “condition of employment.”  However, a second chance may be provided at the discretion of management. See Q&A #6 below.
  1. What action should be taken after a temporary employee, required to pass the WCT for duties associated with his/her position, fails the WCT?
    Answer:  Terminated effective the next day; unless management uses its discretion to provide the temporary employee a second chance.  See Q&A #6 below.
  1. In Region 5, is an Apprentice considered a temporary or permanent employee?
    Answer:  For purposes of the WCT, permanent. Region 5 Apprentices are hired under the Demo Authority.  See Q&A # 1above.
  1. The 2007 WCT Guidelines state that temporary employees may be given a second chance at the “discretion of management.” How and when should that discretion be used?
    Answer:  Be fair and consistent in allowing second chance.  Use good judgment and evaluate each situation on the particular facts. A few examples when management may want to consider using its discretion to allow a second change may include (1) When the Temporary was within 1-2 minutes of passing; (2) It is documented or known that the Temporary had recently been ill; (3) The Temporary is a returning Forest Service employee who had been able to previously pass the WCT. However, it is not recommended to have a blanket policy where management never allows second chances for temporary employees.
  1. What action is taken if a permanent or temporary employee, who does not perform fire assignments as a recurring part of his/her position, but who is authorized to perform such duties, fails the WCT?
    Answer:  These employees may be retested as many times as management deems appropriate.
  1. How and when are prospective employees advised about the requirement to prepare for, and take, the WCT?
    Answer:  The Vacancy Announcement explains that the WCT is a condition of employment and reflects the 30-day notice to begin training. In addition, the job offer package for prospective employees includes WCT information and a Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ). Prospective employees are advised in the pre-employment letter to return the HSQ at least four weeks prior to the WCT testing date in order to have the opportunity to begin preparing for the WCT. 
  1. Are prospective employees required to participate in the 4-week training prior to taking the WCT?
    Answer:  2007 National guidelines provide that prospective employees are to be “informed” about training.  As firefighting is a very arduous occupation, and requires peak physical fitness, prospective employees are highly encouraged to carry out a physical fitness routine throughout the year.  However, they are not “required” to train as current employees are. 
  1. When are R5 prospective employees required to take the WCT?
    Answer:  Upon reporting for duty.
  1. Can a prospective employee take the WCT prior to the Unit HSQ Coordinator reviewing the HSQ?
    Answer:  No. Test Administrators should not allow anyone to take the WCT without information from the Unit HSQ Coordinator that the individual is cleared to take the WCT.
  1. Can a current employee begin training for the WCT prior to the HSQ being reviewed by the Unit HSQ Coordinator?
    Answer:  Yes.  All persons expected to perform fire duties that require a WCT must be informed of the requirement in a timely manner.  They must also be provided appropriate information on how to adequately prepare for the WCT and maintain fitness year-round.  Employees required to pass the WCT normally will be informed at least four (4) weeks prior to the scheduled test date, to allow time for fitness training, as needed
  1. If the Unit HSQ Coordinator reviews the HSQ and a physical is required, how is the employee or the prospective employee notified?
    Answer:  The Unit HSQ Coordinator informs the employee or prospective employee that a medical examination is required and that it will be paid for by the Forest Service. The Unit HSQ Coordinator also provides the employee or prospective employee with a letter for the employee to take to the health care provider. The completed SF-78 will be forwarded to ASC by the healthcare provider. Upon receipt of the medical certification, ASC-HCM will determine if the employee or prospective employee is cleared to begin training for the WCT. ASC will notify employee or prospective employee that they may begin to prepare for and take the WCT.  ASC will also notify the Unit HSQ Coordinator.
  1. What type of doctor can provide the medical certification for WCT?
    Answer:  A medical doctor or other qualified health care provider (e.g. nurse practioner) as defined by 5 CFR 339. 
  1. Can a Chiropractor provide the medical exam and certification?
    Answer:  Normally a Chiropractor would not be “medically qualified” per 5 CFR 339 to provide the medical examination and certification.
  1. Can an employee or prospective employee see his/her own doctor for the WCT physical?
    Answer:  Yes, but it is preferable and more cost effective for Forests/Provinces to contract with local health care providers, who can become familiar with the arduous job of firefighting and the WCT process and provide consistent evaluations.
  1. Where are the Health Screening Questionnaires and medical certification kept?
    Answer:  HSQs and SF-78s are medical forms; they are to be filed at ASC in an official Employee Medical Folder and treated as “confidential”.

The above FAQs and answers were developed by Region 5 Regional Office Human Resources and reviewed/concurred by R5 Fire & Aviation Management and the R5 Partnership Council.

For further Region 5 WCT information, please contact:
Peter Tolosano
Fire Program Guidance
email: ptolosano@fs.fed.us
(916) 640-1050


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