Certification program overview

The commission annually renews the certificates of approximately 30,000 fire protection personnel in basic, intermediate, advanced and master levels of the following disciplines:

Fire Suppression, including Structure, Aircraft Rescue, and Marine Fire Protection.

The minimum standards for basic and higher levels of fire suppression certification are in Chapter 423 of the Standards Manual for Fire Protection Personnel.

• Standards for structure fire protection certification are in Chapter 423, Subchapter A . The basic fire suppression curriculum is in Chapter 1 of the curriculum manual.
• Standards for aircraft rescue fire protection certification are in Chapter 423, Subchapter B . The basic aircraft rescue fire protection curriculum is in Chapter 2 of the curriculum manual.
• Standards for marine fire protection certification are in Chapter 423, Subchapter C . The basic marine fire protection curriculum is in Chapter 3 of the curriculum manual.

Fire Investigation, including Fire Investigator and Arson Investigator.

The minimum standards for basic and higher levels of fire investigation are in Chapter 431 .

• Standards for arson investigator certification are in Chapter 431, Subchapter A .
• Standards for fire investigator certification are in Chapter 431, Subchapter B . The basic fire investigator curriculum is in Chapter 5 of the curriculum manual.

Fire Instructor

Standards for fire service instructor certification are in Chapter 425 .

Fire Inspector

The minimum standards for basic and higher levels of fire inspector certification are in Chapter 429, Subchapter B . (NOTE: Chapter 429, Subchapter A, expired December 31, 2010. DO NOT APPLY under the rules in Subchapter A.) The basic fire inspector curriculum is in Chapter 4 of the curriculum manual.

Head of a Fire Department

A department head can qualify as the head of a department that performs suppression duties, or as the head of a department that performs only prevention duties. The standards for the head of department certification are in Chapter 449 .

Hazardous Materials Technician

A voluntary certification is available for hazardous materials technicians. The standards for this certification are in Chapter 453 . The hazardous materials technician curriculum is in Chapter 6 of the curriculum manual.

Driver/Operator-Pumper

A voluntary certification is available for driver/operator-pumper. The standards for this certification are in Chapter 433 . The driver/operator-pumper curriculum is in Chapter 7 of the curriculum manual.

Fire Officer I and II

Voluntary certifications are offered for Fire Officer I and Fire Officer II. The standards for this certification are in Chapter 451 . The fire officer curriculum is in Chapter 9 of the curriculum manual.

The general requirements for volunteer fire protection personnel certification programs are the same as those for paid personnel. Certification for paid fire protection personnel in Texas is mandatory, but for volunteer fire protection personnel, participating in a certification program is strictly voluntary. The commission has made provisions for volunteers participating in its certification programs regarding the length of time it takes to fulfill the certification requirements. Additionally, volunteers who have achieved advanced certification with the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas (SFFMA) may qualify for commission certification by completing the commission's designated skill evaluation and certification examination processes.

Individuals not affiliated with fire departments can maintain their own certifications, provided continuing education requirements (see Chapter 441 ) continue to be met.

The standards division evaluates exam scores, training records, and other records to ensure that candidates meet the requirements for certification.

In addition to certifying fire protection personnel, the certification program also certifies fire protection training facilities. Rules governing the certification of these facilities are in Chapter 427 .

For more information regarding the commission's fire protection personnel certification programs, please contact Tim Rutland, program supervisor by e-mail or by calling (512) 936-3825. The certification section's main number is (512) 936-3829.