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Fire Service Certification

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Fire Service Certifications

The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) was initially accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) in 1995, and by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) in 2024. The SFMO offers certification in 21 different levels of firefighter professional qualifications. Fire service personnel may become certified by successfully passing written and practical examinations in various disciplines. Certification tests for competency are provided by the SFMO to fire organizations, professional associations, or institutions throughout the state. The SFMO was most recently reaccredited by IFSAC in October of 2019, initially accredited by Pro Board in August of 2024, and will undergo the reaccreditation process with IFSAC in October of 2024.

Below is a list of all certifications offered through the SFMO. Candidates must score 70% on the written examination. Practical skills are graded on a pass/fail basis. For information regarding the certification process, reciprocity, or equivalency, please contact FirefighterTesting@wsp.wa.gov or call (360) 596-3945.

  • Hazardous Materials Awareness

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 470, Chapter 5

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 6th edition
    • DOT North American Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG), 2020 or 2024 edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Hazardous Materials Awareness

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Hazardous Materials Operations

    Prerequisites
    • Hazardous Materials Awareness (must be tested prior to, or in conjunction with, Hazardous Materials Operations)

    Corequisites
    • None

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 470, Chapter 7, Chapters 9.2, 9.6

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 6th edition
    • DOT North American Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG), 2020 or 2024 edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Hazardous Materials Operations

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Hazardous Materials Technician

    Prerequisites
    • Hazardous Materials Awareness
    • Hazardous Materials Operations

    Corequisites
    • None

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 470, Chapter 11

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 6th edition
    • IFSTA Hazardous Materials Technician, 3rd edition
    • DOT North American Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG), 2020 or 2024 edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Hazardous Materials Technician

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Firefighter I

    Prerequisites
    • None

    Corequisites
    • Hazardous Materials Awareness
    • Hazardous Materials Operations

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1001

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting, 7th Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Firefighter I

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Firefighter II

    Prerequisites
    • Hazardous Materials Awareness
    • Hazardous Materials Operations
    • Firefighter I

    Corequisites
    • None

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1001

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting, 7th Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Firefighter II

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Fire Officer I

    Prerequisites
    • Hazardous Materials Awareness
    • Hazardous Materials Operations
    • Firefighter I
    • Firefighter II

    Corequisites
    • Fire & Emergency Services Instructor I

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1021

    Reference Materials 
    • IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer 6th Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Fire Officer I

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Fire Officer II

    Prerequisites
    • Hazardous Materials Awareness
    • Hazardous Materials Operations
    • Firefighter I
    • Firefighter II
    • Fire & Emergency Services Instructor I
    • Fire Officer I

    Corequisites
    • None

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1021

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer, 6th Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Fire Officer II

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Fire Officer III

    Prerequisites
    • Hazardous Materials Awareness
    • Hazardous Materials Operations
    • Firefighter I
    • Firefighter II
    • Fire & Emergency Services Instructor I
    • Fire Officer I
    • Fire Officer II

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1021, Chapter 6

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Chief Officer, 4th Edition
    • IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer, 6th Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets: Contact the Fire Service Certification program at ifsacquestions@wsp.wa.gov for Skill Sheets and specialized testing instructions.

  • Fire Officer IV

    Prerequisites
    • Hazardous Materials Awareness
    • Hazardous Materials Operations
    • Firefighter I
    • Firefighter II
    • Fire & Emergency Services Instructor I
    • Fire Officer I
    • Fire Officer II
    • Fire Officer III

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1021, Chapter 7

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Chief Officer, 4th Edition
    • IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer, 6th Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets: Contact the Fire Service Certification program at ifsacquestions@wsp.wa.gov for Skill Sheets and specialized testing instructions.

  • Instructor I

    Prerequisites
    • None

    Corequisites
    • None

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1041

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Fire and Emergency Service Instructor, 9th Edition

    Skills Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Fire Instructor I

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Instructor II

    Prerequisites
    • Instructor I

    Corequisites
    • None

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1041

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Fire and Emergency Service Instructor, 9th Edition

    Skills Sheets
    • Skill Sheet Fire Instructor II

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Fire Inspector I

    Prerequisites
    • Hazardous Materials Awareness

    Corequisites
    • None

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1031

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement, 8th Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheet Fire Inspector I

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Fire Investigator

    Prerequisites
    • Currently active as a fire investigator or have investigation duties assigned
    • Proof of fire investigation training meeting NFPA 1033 and NFPA 921
    • Proof of background check conducted by a local law enforcement jurisdiction or currently be criminal justice commissioned
    • Recommendation of the agency having jurisdiction or employing company
    • Hazardous Materials Awareness training to NFPA 472 or 1072

    Corequisites
    • None

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1033
    • NFPA 921
    • Hazardous Materials Awareness training or certification to NFPA 472 or 1072

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Fire Investigator, 2nd Edition
    • Brady, Prentice Hall, Kirk’s Fire Investigation, 6th Edition
    • Jones and Bartlett, Brannigan’s Building Construction for the Fire Service, 4th Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Fire Investigator

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age
    • Current IAAI or NAFI certification

    Currency
    • Certificate holders shall submit a Currency Application providing proof of continuing education every 5 years to keep their certification current and in good standing.  Application must include documentation of at least 80 hours of continuing education in current applicable NFPA standards 921 and 1033.

  • Public Fire and Life Safety Educator I

    Prerequisites
    • None

    Corequisites
    • None

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1035

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Public Fire and Life Safety Educator I

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Public Fire and Life Safety Educator, 3rd Edition

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Airport Firefighter

    Prerequisites
    • Hazardous Materials Awareness
    • Hazardous Materials Operations
    • Firefighter I
    • Firefighter II

    Corequisites
    • None

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1003

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, 6th Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Airport Firefighter

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Driver Operator

    Prerequisites
    • Evidence of having completed of the following courses:

    • EVIP/EVAP (Emergency Vehicle Incident/Accident Prevention)
    • IAPD (International Academy of Professional Driving)
    • VFIS (Volunteer Fireman’s Insurance Services)

    Corequisites
    • None

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1002, Chapter 4

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 3rd Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Driver Operator

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Driver / Operator Aerial

    Prerequisites
    • Firefighter 1
    • Driver/Operator
    • Evidence of having completed of the following courses:

    • EVIP/EVAP (Emergency Vehicle Incident/Accident Prevention)
    • IAPD (International Academy of Professional Driving)
    • VFIS (Volunteer Fireman’s Insurance Services)

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1002, Chapter 6

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 3rd Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Driver/Operator Aerial

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Driver / Operator Tiller

    Prerequisites
    • Firefighter I
    • Driver Operator
    • Driver/Operator Aerial
    • Evidence of having completed of the following courses:

    • EVIP/EVAP (Emergency Vehicle Incident/Accident Prevention)
    • IAPD (International Academy of Professional Driving)
    • VFIS (Volunteer Fireman’s Insurance Services)

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1002, Chapters 6, 7

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 3rd Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Driver Operator Tiller

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Driver / Operator Aircraft Rescue

    Prerequisites
    • Hazardous Materials Awareness
    • Hazardous Materials Operations
    • Firefighter I
    • Firefighter II
    • Driver Operator
    • Airport Firefighter
    • Aircraft Rescue Firefighter (ARFF)
    • Driver/Operator
    • Evidence of having completed of the following courses:

    • EVIP/EVAP (Emergency Vehicle Incident/Accident Prevention)
    • IAPD (International Academy of Professional Driving)
    • VFIS (Volunteer Fireman’s Insurance Services)

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1002, Chapter 9

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, 6th Edition
    • IFSTA Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 3rd Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Driver/Operator Aircraft Rescue

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Driver / Operator - Mobile Water Supply

    Prerequisites
    • Driver/Operator
    • Evidence of having completed of the following courses:

    • EVIP/EVAP (Emergency Vehicle Incident/Accident Prevention)
    • IAPD (International Academy of Professional Driving)
    • VFIS (Volunteer Fireman’s Insurance Services)

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1002, Chapter 10

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 3rd Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Driver/Operator Mobile Water Supply

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Driver / Operator Pumper

    Prerequisites
    • Driver Operator
    • Evidence of having completed the following courses:

    • EVIP (Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention)
    • IAPD (International Academy of Professional Driving)
    • VFIS (Volunteer Fireman’s Insurance Services)

    Corequisites
    • None

    Recommended Training
    • NFPA 1002, Chapter 5

    Reference Materials
    • IFSTA Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 3rd Edition

    Skill Sheets
    • Skill Sheets Driver/Operator Pumper

    Other Requirements
    • Must be 18 years of age

  • Firefighter Certification Program Policy

    • Firefighter Certification Program Policy

  • Certified Personnel and Forms

    • Current List of Certified Personnel
    • Candidate Application
    • Equivalency Application
    • Fire Investigator Currency Application

Test Administration Personnel Program

The IFSAC-accredited Firefighter Certification Program relies on the voluntary participation of fire service professionals to serve as Proctors for written tests, and Evaluators, Senior Evaluators, and Test Control Officers for the practical components of the testing process.  All Test Administration Personnel must be Fire & Emergency Services Instructor I certified (NFPA 1041), and also be certified in the level in which they’re evaluating.  The SFMO routinely conducts Test Administration Personnel training around the state through the delivery of two courses: Evaluator (entry level) and Senior Evaluator/Test Control Officer. Individuals interested in participating in the process should contact us at ifsacquestions@wsp.wa.gov.

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