Objective — to establish heart rate variability (HRV) characteristics in the cadets of the Fire Rescue Academy, Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) of Russia, in relation to the types of competency. Material and methods. The investigation covered 81 cadets (mean age 19.2 years) who were divided into three equal groups by the types of competency. They underwent short-term HRV examination with an active orthostatic test (AOT), and rheoencphalography. Results and discussion. The identified groups did not differ in background HRV. AOP showed that the cadets with Class 1 Certificate of Competency had good adaptation reserves [the mean LF/HF value was least (0.83 at baseline and 2.85 after AOP, a 3.43-fold increase)], K30:15 characterizing the reactivity of parasympathetic part was highest (1.24, 1.20, and 1.14 in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively); only one person showed a response to postload energy deficiency in terms of VLF% (20.1—11.3%). Group 3 had no signs of dysadaptation; a considerable tension of central energy-rich mechanisms could be established from VLF%. Group 2 displayed the largest number of dysadaptation markers (sympathoadrenal influences were significantly increased; LF/HF during AOP was 1.6- and 1.7-fold higher than that in Groups 3 and 1, respectively (p<0.05)). Rheoangiography confirmed a dysadaptive response. Conclusion. The cadets having Classes 1 and 3 Certificate of Competency (recommended primarily and arbitrarily recommended) from the higher education institution of the MES of Russia are characterized by the optimal type of HRV. At the same time, the cadets with Class 3 Certificate of Competency exhibited tension of central energy-rich mechanisms of compensation, which complements their objective characteristics. The group of the cadets having a Class 2 Certificate of Competency has demonstrated the largest number of dysadaptive markers as enhanced sympathoadrenal influences that have significant correlations with hypertensive responses of cerebral vessels.