Reciprocity of Certifications Issued by Other Accredited Agencies

The Commission shall not issue reciprocal certifications above the level of Fire Fighter I, but may elect to recognize those certifications from other states as prerequisites for training, provided that such certifications were issued by a ProBoard or IFSAC accredited agency.

In considering applications for reciprocity for Fire Fighter I, the commission may elect to give credit for training received in other states, provided such training has been approved or accredited in the state where the training was received.

The commission may elect to prescribe as a condition for certification:

a.    Applying the state examination for appropriate level

b.    Supplemental training as required to fulfill areas of training not covered in previous training.

The Commission shall not consider an application for reciprocity of any individual who has been separated from the fire service for a period greater than five years immediately preceding the application for reciprocity.

The Commission shall only consider an application for reciprocity when the application is made by the chief officer of a municipal, county, state, federal or private-sector fire fighting agency within the state of Alabama. 

Procedure for applying for reciprocity:

I.    Candidate for reciprocity must submit reciprocity package to Chief Officer of the fire department that is considering employing the applicant. The reciprocity package must include but is not limited to the following:

1.   Completed Application for Certification signed by the Fire Chief of the department that is considering hiring the candidate.

2.   A copy of a ProBoard or IFSAC Fire Fighter I, I/II certificate, a copy of a ProBoard or IFSAC NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Awareness, Operations,   Mission Specific 6.2 and 6.6.  and a copy of the Current CPAT form.

3.   Official training academy syllabus, class records, schedules documenting the training hours and topics for Fire Fighter I or I/II with contact information at the academy or department where the training was received. The training must be verified.

4.   Training hours must meet or exceed 360 hours in the job performance requirements listed in NFPA 1001.

II.    The department Chief Officer forwards the reciprocity package to the Certification Office at the Alabama Fire College.

III.   The point of contact for all reciprocity applicants will be the Chief Officer of the department. All communications concerning reciprocity status from the Certification Office willbe sent to the Chief Officer.

IV.  Once all documentation has been verified, the Chief Officer will be notified in writing of the candidate’s status. If the candidate is deemed eligible for reciprocity, the challenge exam/exams will be scheduled after a Physical Statement and Notice of Employment have been received in Certification. Any additional training or certifications required as prerequisites must be successfully completed prior to scheduling the challenge exam. Challenge exams for Fire Fighter I may include skills testing.