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.

Beginning in 2020, we are now able to test multiple disciplines in one day if time allows on testing dates when resources and candidates.

Multiple tests on one day will be limited to these combinations, and if candidates meet the prerequisites:

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

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

You must also complete certification in Fire Officer 1 before Fire Officer 2 is awarded.

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 make 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 on that testing 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.

Current Pandemic Precautions During Scheduled Challenge Dates

With the current pandemic, we are restricting 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.

You will be required to maintain social distancing and use a facemask while at the Fire School, including during the test.

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

Firefighter I
June 12, 2021 – 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

Firefighter II
June 12, 2021 – KCD
Prerequisite:    The training listed above for Firefighter I (or equivalent), NFPA Firefighter I, Current AHA First Aid (or equivalent) or higher, Current CPR

NFPA 1021

Fire Officer I
June 13, 2021 – KCD
Prerequisite:    NFPA Firefighter II, Fire Instructor I

Fire Officer II
June 13, 2021 – KCD
Prerequisite:    NFPA Fire Officer I

Fire Officer III
June 13, 2021 – KCD
Prerequisite:    NFPA Fire Instructor I, NFPA Fire Officer II, DSFS Fire Officer 3 course or course content completed

*Only those who have previously completed the skills stations may sign up. Separate testing will be scheduled for those who need to complete the Officer III Course Content.

NFPA 1031

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

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
February 2-4, 2021
Scheduled DSFS Class only, See Course Catalog
Prerequisite:   DSFS Fire Instructor 2 Course, NFPA Firefighter I, NFPA Fire Instructor I

NFPA 1072*

June 12, 2021 – KCD (with FF 1 & 2)
Prerequisite:   DSFS Hazardous Materials Awareness Class or NFPA Hazardous Materials Awareness Course (accepted upon approval by Director)
*See Note Below Hazardous Materials – Awareness or

June 13, 2021 – KCD
Hazardous Materials – Operations

(With FF 1 & 2)
June 12, 2021 – KCD
Prerequisite:    DSFS HazMat Response Skills or NFPA Hazardous Materials Operations Course (accepted upon approval by Director) *See Note Below

or June 13, 2021 – KCD

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*

Hazardous Materials
Special DSFS Class or In-service
Prerequisite:  NFPA Hazardous Materials Technician *See Note Below

Branch Officer – Contact Us

Hazardous Materials
Special DSFS Class or In-service
Prerequisite:  NFPA Hazardous Materials Officer, NFPA Incident Safety Officer 
*See Note Below

Safety Officer – Contact Us

NFPA 1002

Driver Operator  – Pumper
June 26, 2021 – NCD
Prerequisite:    NFPA Firefighter I

Driver/Operator – Aerial
June 26, 2021 – NCD
Prerequisite:    NFPA Firefighter I

NFPA 1006

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

Level 1 & 2 – 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

Vehicle 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 1081

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

Incident Safety Officer
June 13, 2021 – KCD
Prerequisite:  NFPA Fire Officer I

NFPA 2400

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.