Certification Testing consists of a written test of 25 to 100 questions depending on the Job Performance Requirements covered and skills evaluations.

The number and types of skills requiring to be successfully completed vary depending on the level of certification being tested. Some levels may be challenged, while the Delaware State Fire School requires some levels to be taken in conjunction with a class due to the complexity of skills and knowledge required for the cognitive written test.

Note: Outside training may be accepted to be eligible for the prerequisites upon issuance of a waiver or approval of the Director before applying to take a test.

We offer testing in multiple disciplines in one day, if time allows, on testing dates when resources and candidates are available. Multiple tests on one day will be limited to these combinations, and only if candidates meet the prerequisites:

• NFPA 1072 Awareness & Operations
• NFPA 1001 Firefighter 1 & 2
• NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 1 & 2
• NFPA 1002 Driver Operator Pumper & Aerial

A passing grade on BOTH levels of a standard is required to be issued both levels of the standard in these tests.

Additionally, a passing grade on both 1072 Hazardous Materials levels is required to complete the Firefighter 1 & 2 written and skills evaluation process.

All written testing for Certification done on scheduled dates are done in the Delaware Learning Center on-site at the State Fire School in Dover. If you do not have an account, go to our Online Learning page to create an account.

All written testing is done beginning at 8 am or 9 am on the scheduled date, with Firefighter I & II practical skills testing to follow written testing on that same date.

Retesting

Candidates who fail a written exam may contact us to schedule a retest, 15 days after the test date but no later than 1 year after. There is no cost for the first retest. Each additional attempt must be made during a regularly scheduled class or challenge date. If you are unable to attend a scheduled challenge date, you may contact the Certification Manager to work out a special testing date.

Pandemic Precautions During Scheduled Challenge Dates

Depending on the state of any pandemic and recommended precautions, we may restrict seating during testing. We will work with Candidates to schedule throughout the scheduled testing day if needed. Additional dates will be added if the number of Candidates exceeds the available spots throughout the day. Any restrictions or policies, like the wearing of masks or social distancing will be shared before the actual testing date.

The Delaware State Fire School is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) or International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) to offer certification in the following:

Click on Test Title to print/download the application or access course/certification information.

NFPA 1001–2019

Firefighter I
June 4, 2022 – KCD
Prerequisite:    DSFS Core Classes of Basic Firefighting Skills, Structural Firefighting Skills, Vehicle Rescue, and HazMat Response Skills (or the equivalent of DSFS Core Classes, must be submitted in writing for approval to test), NFPA Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations, 18 years of age, Current AHA First Aid (or equivalent) or higher, Current CPR

Note: Must challenge both NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II if applying to challenge Firefighter I.

Firefighter II
June 4, 2022 – KCD
Prerequisite:    The training listed above for Firefighter I (or equivalent) or NFPA Firefighter I, Current AHA First Aid (or equivalent) or higher, Current CPR.

NFPA 1021 – 2020

Fire Officer I
June 5, 2022 – KCD
Prerequisite:    NFPA Firefighter II, NFPA Instructor I

Fire Officer II
June 5, 2022 – KCD
Prerequisite:    NFPA Fire Officer I

Fire Officer III
June 5, 2022 – KCD
Prerequisite:    NFPA Fire Officer II

NFPA 1031-2014

Fire Inspector I – (See Course Catalog)
Scheduled NFPA Class

Prerequisite:    High School Graduate or Equivalent, NFPA Hazardous Materials Awareness

Fire Inspector II – (See Course Catalog)
Scheduled NFPA Class

Prerequisite:    Current NFPA Fire Inspector I

NFPA 1041 – 2019

Fire Instructor I
Scheduled DSFS Class only, See Course Catalog

Prerequisite:    DSFS Fire Instructor 1 Course, High School Graduate or Equivalent, 18 years of age

Fire Instructor II
Scheduled DSFS Class only, See Course Catalog

Prerequisite:   DSFS Fire Instructor 2 Course, NFPA Firefighter I, NFPA Fire Instructor I

NFPA 1072-2017*

Hazardous Materials – Awareness
June 4, 2022 – KCD (Only with FF 1 & 2)
or
June 5, 2022 – KCD

Prerequisite:   DSFS Hazardous Materials Awareness Class or NFPA Hazardous Materials Awareness Course (accepted upon approval by Director)

Hazardous Materials – Operations
June 4, 2022 – KCD (Only with FF 1 & 2)
or
June 5, 2022 – KCD

Prerequisite:    DSFS HazMat Response Skills or NFPA Hazardous Materials Operations Course (accepted upon approval by Director) *See Note Below

Hazardous Materials – Technician
Scheduled DSFS Class only

Prerequisite:    NFPA Hazardous Materials Operations (Awareness & Operations also available in course) *See Note Below
See Course Catalog

NFPA 472-2018*

Hazardous Materials Branch Officer – Contact Us
Special DSFS Class or In-service

Prerequisite:  NFPA Hazardous Materials Technician *See Note Below

Hazardous Materials Safety Officer – Contact Us
Special DSFS Class or In-service

Prerequisite:  NFPA Hazardous Materials Officer, NFPA Incident Safety Officer 
*See Note Below

NFPA 1002–2017

Driver Operator  – Pumper
June 11, 2021 – NCD

Prerequisite:    18 Years of Age. DSFS Driver Operator Course recommended. MUST have access to a Pumper to be used on testing date.

Driver/Operator – Aerial
June 12, 2021 – NCD

Prerequisite:    NFPA Firefighter I. MUST have access to an apparatus equipped with an Aerial Device to be used on testing date.

Driver/Operator – Tiller
Special Scheduling Required

Prerequisite:    NFPA Firefighter I and NFPA Driver Operator – Aerial (DO Aerial may be tested at the same time). MUST have access to an aerial apparatus equipped with a Tiller to be used on testing date.

Driver/Operator – Mobile Water Supply
Special Scheduling Required

Prerequisite:    18 Years of Age. DSFS Driver Operator Course recommended. MUST have access to an apparatus that is a capable of mobile water supply (Tanker or Water Tender) to be used on testing date.

NFPA 1006–2013

Rope Rescue Technician
Special Class Scheduling Required

Prerequisite:   18 years of age, Current EMR or higher, Current CPR, NFPA Rescue Core Requirements – Available with course
Contact Us

Confined Space Rescue Technician
Special Class Scheduling Required

Prerequisite:   18 years of age, Current EMR or higher, Current CPR, NFPA Rescue Core Requirements – Available with course
Contact Us

Vehicle Rescue Technician
Special Class Scheduling Required

Prerequisite:   18 years of age, Current EMR or higher, Current CPR, NFPA Rescue Core Requirements – Available with course
Contact Us

NFPA 1081-2018

Incipient Brigade
Special Class Scheduling Required

Prerequisite:   NFPA Hazardous Materials Awareness, Industrial Brigade Employee (Special Class)
Contact Us

Advanced Exterior Brigade
Special Class Scheduling Required

Prerequisite:   NFPA Incipient Brigade, Industrial Brigade Employee (Special Class)
Contact Us

NFPA 1521-2020

Incident Safety Officer
June 5, 2022 – KCD

Prerequisite:  NFPA Fire Officer I

NFPA 2400-2019

Small Unmanned  Aircraft Systems – Visual Observer
Scheduled DSFS Class only

Prerequisite:  None
See Course Catalog

Small Unmanned  Aircraft Systems – Pilot In Control
Scheduled DSFS Class only

Prerequisite:  None
See Course Catalog

*The Delaware State Fire School is accredited to the new NFPA 1072-2017 Standards for Hazardous Materials for Awareness, Operations, and Technician.

Anyone candidates attempting to sign up to test holding national certification at the 472 level are allowed to sit for testing.

The Branch Officer and Branch Safety Officer shall remain NFPA 472, with both NFPA 472 and NFPA 1072 as allowable prerequisites to sit for testing until the next re-accreditation period.