For Pennsylvania Firefighters

Firefighter Certifications

We offer more than 30 professional certifications for volunteer and career firefighters in Pennsylvania, and have certified more than 56,000 emergency responders.

A firefighter climbs on a ladder atop a firetruck.

Overview

Congratulations on working to expand your skillset as a firefighter. The certification process is a detailed, but rewarding, endeavor. There are basically five steps in the process:

 

  1. 1

    Complete any required prerequisites.

  2. 2

    Fill out a PDF application.

  3. 3

    Select where you will take your written and skills tests.

  4. 4

    Send completed application to your chosen testing location.

  5. 5

    Take written and skills tests.

Available Certifications

Two firefighters with radios stand near a firetruck.

Firefighter I

Become an entry-level firefighter in a volunteer or career fire department in Pennsylvania.

Two firefighters look out of a window.

Firefighter II

Already certified as a Firefighter I? Pursue an advanced Firefighter II Certification to grow your preparedness, structural fire control, and rescue operation skills.

Firefighters kneel while using a hose.

Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I

Interested in teaching? Pursue a Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I certification to grow your management, planning, and training skills.

Two firefighters hold up a hose, pointed toward a blaze.

Fire Officer I

Already certified as a Firefighter II? Pursue a Fire Officer I Certification to grow your management, planning, and training skills.

A Black male firefighter smiles at the camera while holding his helmet in front of a fire truck.

Fire Officer II

Already certified as a Fire Officer I? Pursue a Fire Officer II Certification to grow your leadership, administration, and policy writing skills.

A firefighter in full gear writes on a clipboard.

Fire Investigator

Interested in using technical skills to keep your community safe? Become a Fire Investigator for a fire department in Pennsylvania.

A firefighter equipping his gloves

Fire Inspector I

Interested in using technical skills to keep your community safe? Become a Fire Inspector I for a fire department in Pennsylvania.

Firefighter equipment with fire truck in background

Airport Firefighter

Already certified as a Firefighter II? Pursue an Airport Firefighter Certification to grow your rescue operations, emergency response, and planning skills.

Firefighter equipment organized together

Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II

Already certified as an Emergency Services Instructor I? Pursue a Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II Certification to grow your management, planning, and training skills.

Firefighters using a water hose to battle a fire

Industrial Fire Brigade Advanced Exterior

Already part of a fire brigade? Pursue an Industrial Fire Brigade Advanced Exterior Certification to grow your response, incident management, and teamwork skills.

Firefighter moving hoses

Industrial Fire Brigade Incipient 

Interested in advancing your firefighting qualifications? Pursue an Industrial Fire Brigade Incipient Certification to grow your hazardous response, equipment management, and risk management skills.

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Driver/Operator Aerial Tiller 

Already certified as a Firefighter? Pursue a Driver/Operator Aerial Tiller Certification to grow your professional skillset.

Image of a firetruck grill

Driver/Operator-Aerial Certification 

Already certified as a Firefighter? Pursue a Driver/Operator – Aerial Certification to grow your professional skillset.

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Driver/Operator-Mobile Water Supply

Already certified as a Firefighter? Pursue a Driver/Operator – Mobile Water Supply Certification to grow your professional skillset.

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Driver/Operator-Pumper

Already certified as a Firefighter? Pursue a Driver/Operator – Pumper to grow your professional skillset.

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Hazardous Materials Awareness

Looking to increase your skillset? Pursue a Hazardous Materials Awareness Certification.

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Hazardous Materials Operations

Looking to increase your skillset? Pursue a Hazardous Materials Operations Certification.

image of firefighter speaking on a radio

Hazardous Materials Technician

Looking to increase your knowledge and technical skills with hazardous materials? Pursue a Hazardous Materials Technician Certification.

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Hazardous Materials Incident Commander

Looking to increase your leadership and hazardous response skills? Pursue a Hazardous Materials Incident Commander Certification.

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Incident Safety Officer

Already certified as a Fire Officer 1? Pursue an Incident Safety Officer certification to grow your leadership, administration, and policy writing skills. 

image of firefighters having a discussion

Public Fire and Life Safety Educator I 

Already certified as a Fire Officer I? Pursue a Public Fire and Life Safety Educator I certification to grow your teaching, administration, and communication skills. 

A firefighter looks serious while crossing her arms.

Public Fire and Life Safety Educator II

Already certified as a Fire Officer I? Pursue a Public Fire and Life Safety Educator II certification to grow your teaching, administration, and communication skills. 

image of firefighters in a huddle

Rescue Technician - Confined Space

Interested in enhancing your emergency response skillset? Pursue a Rescue Technician – Confined Space certification to grow your emergency response, technical, and equipment management skills.

image of firefighter jackets in a line

Rescue Technician - General

Interested in enhancing your emergency response skillset? Pursue a Rescue Technician – General certification to grow your emergency response and equipment management skills.

image of rope equipment

Rescue Technician - Rope

Interested in enhancing your emergency response skillset? Pursue a Rescue Technician – Rope certification to grow your hazardous response and equipment management skills.

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Rescue Technician - Structural Collapse

Interested in enhancing your emergency response skillset? Pursue a Rescue Technician – Structural Collapse certification to grow your hazardous response and equipment management skills.

image of firefighter gear on a fire truck

Rescue Technician - Surface Water

Interested in enhancing your emergency response skillset? Pursue a Rescue Technician – Surface Water certification to grow your hazardous response and equipment management skills.

image of a firefighter turning a valve

Rescue Technician - Trench

Already certified as a Fire Officer I? Pursue a Rescue Technician – Trench certification to grow your emergency response and technical skills. 

image of a firefighter turning a valve

Rescue Technician - Vehicle and Machinery

Already certified as a Fire Officer I? Pursue a Rescue Technician – Vehicle and Machinery certification to grow your emergency response and technical skills. 

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Traffic Incident Management Personnel

Interested in helping during roadway incidents? Pursue a Traffic Incident Management Personnel Certification to grow your management, communications, and emergency response skills.

Firefighter gear hanging near a firetruck.

Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist

Interested in helping teach safety skills? Pursue a Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist Certification to grow your counseling, planning, and training skills.

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Youth Firesetter Program Manager

Interested in helping educate others on fire safety? Pursue a Youth Firesetter Program Manager Certification to grow your counseling, management, and training skills.