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.

Click the highlighted links below to see the full testing information and prerequisites.

Certification Levels	Next Testing Date	Levels Being Tested	Registration Deadline
NFPA 1001 Firefighter 1 & 2	May 21, 2023	Level 1 & 2	May 5
NFPA 1002 Driver Operator	June 24 & 25, 2023	Pump, Aerial, & Tiller	June 9
NFPA 1006 Rescue Levels	Special Course Scheduling
NFPA 1021 Officer Levels	May 20, 2023	Officer 1, 2, 3, & 4	May 5
NFPA 1031 Inspector Levels	To Be Scheduled	Inspector 1
NFPA 1041 Instructor Levels	February 11, 2023 (Full Course Begins)	Instructor 1	February 3
NFPA 1072 & 472 Hazardous Materials Levels	May 20 or 21, 2023	Awareness & Operations	May 5
NFPA 1081 Brigade Levels	Special Training Scheduling Required
NFPA 1091 Traffic Incident Management Personnel	To Be Scheduled
NFPA 1521 Safety Officer	March 5, 2023	All Hazards Safety Officer	February 24
NFPA 2400 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems	May 6-7, 2023 (Full Course)	Visual Observer and Pilot-in-Command

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 Aerial & Tiller

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

Additionally, passing grades on both 1072 Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations levels are 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.
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, Incident Safety Officer, Driver Operator, and Traffic Incident Management Personnel practical skills testing to follow written testing on that same date.

Retesting

Candidates who fail a written exam or practical 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. Practical skills only provided in a class must be done during the next regularly scheduled class. If you are unable to attend a scheduled challenge date for a written examination, you may contact the Certification Manager to work out a special testing date if they are available to do so.

Completion of Certification Process

Candidates who do not complete all required skills by the testing date or during the course, will need to complete the skills no later than 1 year after the date of successfully passing the written cognitive test. At that time, students will need to restart the process entirely and repeat any necessary testing.

Pandemic Precautions During Scheduled Challenge Dates

Depending on the state of any pandemic and recommended or mandated 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. Currently, remote proctoring is not an option with DSFS certification testing.

NFPA Standard Consolidation Updates

The NFPA^® is in the process of a multiyear effort to consolidate numerous, similar standards called the Emergency Response and Responder Safety Consolidation Project. This project will affect some of our offered levels of certification testing, but not others. As these standards become consolidated, and curriculums and test banks are developed, we will be working with the Proboard and IFSAC to update within required timelines, just like any other certification standard update we have done in the past. Notices will be put out and posted on this page as to what standards and chapters have been adopted, and we list and honor whatever guidance any the NFPA for recognition of prerequisites, similar to the NFPA 472 certifications as being equivalent to NFPA 1072 requirements for those levels. More information can be found at the link above.

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 and Date to print/download the application or access course/certification information.

NFPA 1001–2019

Firefighter I – $150, must be challenged with Firefighter II
May 21, 2023 – KCD (Register by May 5)
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. Out of State equivalencies MUST be approved before being scheduled for testing. Time should be allowed for submission of applicable courses and time for review.
NFPA Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations may be challenged on the same day so long as meeting those prerequisites.
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 7th Edition

Firefighter II – $100 per Challenge, $150 when Combined with Firefighter I
May 21, 2023 – KCD (Register by May 5)
Prerequisite:    The training listed above under Firefighter I (or equivalent) or NFPA Firefighter I, NFPA Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations, DSFS Vehicle Rescue and DSFS Hazardous Materials Response Skills, Current AHA First Aid (or equivalent) or higher, Current CPR.
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 7th Edition

NFPA 1002–2017

Driver Operator  – Pumper – $100 per Challenge
June 24, 2023 – NCD (Register by June 9)
Prerequisite:    18 Years of Age. DSFS Driver Operator Course recommended.
MUST have access to drive and operate a Pumper to be used on testing date.
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver Operator Handbook, 3rd Edition

Driver/Operator – Aerial – $100 per Challenge, $150 when Combined with Tiller
June 25, 2023 – NCD (Register by June 9)
Prerequisite:    NFPA Firefighter I
MUST have access to drive and operate an apparatus equipped with an Aerial Device to be used on testing date.
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver Operator Handbook, 3rd Edition

Driver/Operator – Tiller – $100 per Challenge, $150 when Combined with Aerial
June 25, 2023 – NCD (Register by June 9)
Prerequisite:    NFPA Firefighter I and NFPA Driver Operator – Aerial (DO Aerial may be tested at the same time).
MUST have access to drive and operate an aerial apparatus equipped with a Tiller to be used on testing date.
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver Operator Handbook, 3rd Edition

Driver/Operator – Mobile Water Supply
Special Scheduling Required
Prerequisite:    18 Years of Age. DSFS Driver Operator Course recommended.
MUST have access to drive and operate an apparatus that is a capable of mobile water supply (Tanker or Water Tender) to be used on testing date. Apparatus must have more than 1,500 gallons of water and be capable of quick dump to fill a portable tank.
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver Operator Handbook, 3rd Edition

NFPA 1006–2013

Rope Rescue Technician Level 1 & 2
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 Level 1 & 2
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 1006-2021

Vehicle Rescue Awareness, Operations, and Technician
Special Class Scheduling Currently Required
Prerequisite:   18 years of age, Current EMR or higher, Current CPR
Contact Us

NFPA 1021 – 2020

Fire Officer I – $100 per Challenge, $150 when Combined with Officer II
May 20, 2023 – KCD (Register by May 5)
Prerequisite:    NFPA Firefighter II, NFPA Instructor I
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Company Office, 6th Edition

Fire Officer II – $100 per Challenge, $150 when Combined with Officer I
May 20, 2023 – KCD (Register by May 5)
Prerequisite:    NFPA Fire Officer I
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Company Office, 6th Edition

Fire Officer III – $100 per Challenge
May 20, 2023 – KCD (Register by May 5)
Prerequisite:    NFPA Fire Officer II
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Chief Officer , 4th Edition

Fire Officer IV – $100 per Challenge
May 20, 2023 – KCD (Register by May 5)
Prerequisite:    NFPA Fire Officer III
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Chief Officer , 4th Edition

NFPA 1031-2014

Fire Inspector I –
Scheduled NFPA Class @ DSFS – Check Training Calendar for Availability
Prerequisite:    High School Graduate or Equivalent, NFPA Hazardous Materials Awareness
Note: Testing will be separate to be scheduled by the Candidate through the NFPA at a Prometric Testing Center

Fire Inspector II –
Scheduled NFPA Class @ DSFS – Check Training Calendar for Availability
Prerequisite:    Current NFPA Fire Inspector I
Note: Testing will be separate to be scheduled by the Candidate through the NFPA at a Prometric Testing Center

NFPA 1041 – 2019

Fire Instructor I
Scheduled DSFS Class only, February 11, 2023 – KCD See Course Catalog
Prerequisite:    DSFS Fire Instructor 1 Course, High School Graduate or Equivalent, 18 years of age
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor, 9th Edition

Fire Instructor II
Scheduled DSFS Class only, See Course Catalog
Prerequisite:   DSFS Fire Instructor 2 Course, NFPA Firefighter I, NFPA Fire Instructor I
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor, 9th Edition

NFPA 1072-2017*

Hazardous Materials – Awareness
May 20, 2023 – KCD (Register by May 5)
or
May 21, 2023 – KCD (Register by May 5, Only with FF 1 & 2)
Prerequisite:   DSFS Hazardous Materials Awareness Class or NFPA Hazardous Materials Awareness Course (accepted upon approval by Director)
Testing is also offered during our Basic Firefighting Skills and EMT classes
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 7th Edition

Hazardous Materials – Operations
May 20, 2023 – KCD (Register by May 5)
or
May 21, 2023 – KCD (Register by May 5, Only with FF 1 & 2)
Prerequisite:    DSFS HazMat Response Skills or NFPA Hazardous Materials Operations Course (accepted upon approval by Director) *See Note Below
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 7th Edition

Hazardous Materials – Technician (40 Hour)
Scheduled DSFS Class only – Begins May 15, 2023 – KCD See Course Catalog
Prerequisite:    NFPA Hazardous Materials Operations (Awareness & Operations also available in course) *See Note Below
STUDY MATERIALS:
IFSTA Hazardous Materials Technician, 2nd Edition

Hazardous Materials – Incident Commander
Scheduled DSFS testing only
Prerequisite:    NFPA Hazardous Materials Operations Certification *See Note Below
Contact Us
STUDY MATERIALS:
Jones and Bartlett Hazardous Materials: Managing the Incident, 4th Edition

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 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 1091-2019

Traffic Incident Management Personnel – $25 per Challenge
To Be Scheduled (with TIMS course) – Check Training Calendar for Availability
Prerequisite:  None

NFPA 1521-2020

Incident Safety Officer – $100 per Challenge
March 5 – KCD, running concurrently with Crew Leader Skills – Day 2 (Register by February 24)
Prerequisite:  NFPA Fire Officer I
STUDY MATERIALS:
Jones and Bartlett Fire Department Incident Safety Officer, 3rd Edition
IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Safety Officer, 2nd Edition

NFPA 2400-2019

Small Unmanned  Aircraft Systems – Visual Observer
May 6 & 7, 2023 (with Qualification Course)
Prerequisite:  None
See Course Catalog

Small Unmanned  Aircraft Systems – Pilot In Control
May 6 & 7, 2023 (with Qualification Course)
Prerequisite:  None
See Course Catalog

*The Delaware State Fire School is accredited to new NFPA 1072-2017 Standards for Hazardous Materials for Awareness, Operations, and Technician. Any candidates attempting to sign up to test but holds 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.