Transferring to Texas

This page is for certified fire fighters who are thinking about re-locating to Texas.

• If you are coming to Texas from an IFSAC jurisdiction, please refer to the first part of this page, Transferring to Texas from an IFSAC jurisdiction.
• If your current jurisdiction does not participate in IFSAC, please refer to the second part of this page, Transferring to Texas from a non-IFSAC jurisdiction.

Transferring to Texas from an IFSAC jurisdiction

Individuals transferring to Texas from an IFSAC jurisdiction may be eligible for Texas certification.

IFSAC is the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). The State of Texas recognizes IFSAC certificates from other jurisdictions in its basic structural fire protection, aircraft crash and rescue, hazardous materials technician, driver/operator-pumper, fire inspector, fire investigator, fire instructor and fire officer disciplines.

In general, individuals who hold IFSAC certifications in these disciplines are eligible to apply and hold certification in the state of Texas; however, please check the Standards Manual for details regarding the specific discipline. (For the basic structural fire protection certification, applicants must show that they are certified at a level equivalent to NFPA 1001 - Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II.)

For example, if you are transferring to Texas from an IFSAC jurisdisction, in order to be certified as a basic fire fighter, you will apply for certification by submitting the following:

• A copy of your Fire Fighter II IFSAC seal.
• Documentation of completed equivalent medical training (ECA, EMT or Paramedic) or certification (Texas Department of State Health Services or National Registry). A copy of your certificate of completion from the training or your actual certification card would be acceptable documentation.
• A completed Form TCFP-002, Application for Certification (including completion of the fingerprint criminal history check, when applicable).
• An $85 certification fee.

Transferring to Texas from a non-IFSAC jurisdiction

For individuals who have received out-of-state or military training from a jurisdiction that does not participate in the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), there are four basic steps to become eligible for Texas certification:

1. Find out if your training is equivalent to Texas requirements.
2. Complete the commission-designated skill evaluation process.
3. Pass the commission examination in the discipline for which you are seeking certification.
4. Determine whether you meet any additional certification requirements.

These steps are covered in more detail below.

Note: The requirements for becoming certified in basic structure fire suppression are set forth in the Standards Manual for Fire Protection Personnel, Section 423.3 - Minimum Standards for Basic Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification. The following information presents the basic certification requirements in a step-by-step format; it is for explanation purposes only and does not supersede the rule.

1. Find out if your training is equivalent to Texas requirements

   Individuals who have received out-of-state or military training may be eligible to have their training deemed equivalent in order to complete the commission-deisgnated skill evaluation process and challenge the commission's examination for the applicable certification discipline.

   If you do not hold IFSAC certification you may submit your training to be reviewed by the commission staff. For persons transferring from a non-IFSAC jurisdiction, the commission charges a non-refundable fee of $35 for each records review conducted for the purpose of determining equivalency to the appropriate commission certification training program or to establish eligibility to complete the evaluation process. Applicants submitting training records for review will receive a written analysis from the commission. The staff needs to evaluate detailed information regarding each course taken (i.e., course content, number of hours, and a copy of an official transcript and/or certificate of completion). Please submit your training records and the fee to:

   Texas Commission on Fire Protection
   ATTN: Training Approval and Testing Program
   PO Box 2286
   Austin, TX 78768-2286

   Please use form TCFP-045, Record Review Request Form , to request a review of your records to determine eligibility.

   If your training does not meet the commission's minimum requirements, your training will be returned to you along with written notification as to what documentation is missing.

2. Complete the commission-designated skill evaluation process.

   When the commission has determined that your training meets the state's minimum requirements, the next step will be to complete the commission-designated skill evaluation process. In order to complete this process, an individual must have the required number of commission-designated skills evaluated by a commission-approved field examiner. The skills will be randomly selected from the skills identified in the applicable chapter of the Curriculum Manual. (A commission-approved field examiner is an individual who holds instructor certification, is approved by the commission to evaluate the discipline being evaluated, and has taken the commission's field examiner course within the last two years.) The evaluations must take place at a training facility certified by the commission to conduct the certification training for that discipline. See the certified training facilities page to find training facilities in your area.

   Once you locate a field examiner who is willing to evaluate your skills at a certified training facility, please have the field examiner contact a Training Approval and Testing program staff member in writing (i.e., e-mail). The field examiner will need to provide the staff member with your name; his or her contact information and qualifications; the certified training facility he or she will be utilizing; and the discipline to be evaluated. We will send directly to the field examiner the randomly selected skills and Performance Skill Verification form.

   Commission rule §439.11 (c) states, "In order to qualify for the Commission certification examination, the student must successfully complete and pass all designated skill evaluations. The student may be allowed two attempts to complete each skill. A second failure during the evaluation process will require remedial training in the failed skill area with a certified instructor before being allowed a third attempt. A third failure shall require that the student repeat the entire certification curriculum." For more information on commission rules, please see the Standards Manual.

3. Pass the commission examination.

   Once you have completed the required skill evaluations and have obtained a signed skill verification form (TCFP-047) from the field examiner, please contact a Training Approval and Testing staff member at (512) 936-3819 to obtain the information needed to establish a state certification examination date.

   A minimum grade of 70 is required on the written examinations.

4. Determine whether you meet any additional certification requirements.

   After you have passed the state exam, the final step is to determine whether there are additional requirements you must meet. Please contact the commission's certification staff at (512) 936-3825 to determine additional requirements in a specific discipline. (It may also be helpful to review the commission's Standards Manual to become familiar with the certification requirements in your discipline.)

   In order to become certified as an aircraft rescue fire fighter, marine fire fighter, hazardous materials technician or driver/operator-pumper, you must hold certification as a structure fire fighter.

When you have completed requirements 1-4 you may apply for certification by submitting form TCFP-002, Application for Certification . There is a non-refundable $85 fee to apply for certification. If you do not meet the certification requirements at the time of application, the commission will inform you of any deficiencies in your application, but will not refund your application fee.

When the commission receives your completed application, the certification staff will conduct a background check in accordance with the Standards Manual, Chapter 403 , Criminal Convictions and Eligibility for Certification.

If you pass the criminal background check and meet all other eligibility requirements (including the emergency medical response requirement--for more information, please refer to the basic certification page), you will then be issued your certification.