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To Register For A Written Certification Exam

To register for a certification exam:

1. Complete a Fire Academy registration form.
2. Indicate on the form the exam you wish to take by listing the course code, section #, and title.
3. Include copies of required support documents, such as CPR, First Aid, and/ or copies or equivalency certificates (such as a copy of your equivalency certificate for Hazardous Material Ops-level training if required).

Note: Copies of your South Carolina Fire Academy pocket cards or certificates do not need to be mailed with your preregistration.

Preparing for a Practical Certification Exam

Practical certification exams are conducted at the conclusion of certain courses. The Firefighter I Practical Certification Exam is conducted at the conclusion of course 1153 - Firefighter I. The Firefighter II Practical Certification Exam is conducted at the conclusion of course 1154 - Firefighter II; the 1002 - Driver/Operator Exam is conducted at the conclusion of course 1220 - Pump Operations, course 1210 - Emergency Vehicle Driver Training and course 1221 - Pump Operations II ; the practical exam for Instructor I is conducted at the end of course 4161 – Fire Instructor I.

Based on this evaluation method, these courses are prerequisites to completing the written certification examination. Students who are successful in the course should be well prepared to take the practical skills exam. However, since the practical skills examinations contain several objectives which they may be asked to perform, students should be prepared to perform all of the manipulative or practical objectives listed in the NFPA standard for that certification level. All practical skills tests are graded on a pass/fail system with a passing score required for successful completion of the certification exam. Passing means that the student performed the skill correctly, while failing means that the student performed the skill unsafely or to the point of being ineffective. One retest opportunity is allowed for students failing to meet the minimum score for a practical skills exam. You must wait at least 30 days before retesting. Failing the retest means that the student must retake the training program before being eligible for retesting again.

Appeals Policy

It is the policy of the South Carolina Fire Academy to make testing and certifying services available to all of its constituents without regard to race, sex, religion, or ethnic origin.

The Fire Academy has developed an Appeals Policy to ensure participants are provided an orderly and systematic means whereby they may present and seek answers to appeals concerning our testing and/or certification procedures without fear of restraint, coercion, or reprisal. Students are eligible to initiate action in this process based on certain conditions. Copies of the entire Appeals Policy are available upon request.