certification programs

Certification Requirements

Level I

Level II

Level III

Level IV
Examination- Pass the:
Level I Exam

Level I and II Exams

Levels I, II, and III Exams

Levels I, II, III, and IV Exams
Performance Verification- Obtain supervisor verification of all Performance Measures for:
All Level I Performance Measures All Levels I and II Performance Measures All Levels I, II, and III Performance Measures All Levels I, II, III, and IV Performance Measures
Work Experience- Provide complete, detailed position descriptions and time allocations* showing:

A minimum of 6 months of technical experience with special hazards systems, which MUST include:

- at least 3 months in special hazards systems plan preparation, installation, acceptance testing, inspection and periodic testing, and/or repair and recharge.

Up to 3 months may be in related experience in: detection and control, water-based systems, fire alarm systems.

A minimum of 24 months of experience which MUST include:

- at least 12 months of special hazards systems- specific work experience in one or more of the following roles / functions:

  • system plan preparation
  • installation
  • acceptance testing or inspection, testing and maintenance
  • repair and recharge

- experience with at least 2 of the following:

  • foam systems
  • water-mist systems
  • aerosol systems
  • inert clean agent systems
  • chemical clean agent systems (including halon)
  • CO2 systems
  • dry chemical systems
  • specialty detection
  • explosion prevention

Up to 12 months may be in related experience in: detection and control, water-based systems, fire alarm systems.

A minimum of 60 months of experience which MUST include:

- at least 48 months of special hazards systems-specific projects and/or code compliance including:

  • design / configuration (in the office or field) including both electrical and mechanical system layout AND installation acceptance testing, inspection, testing and maintenance
  • repair and recharge


- experience with at least 3 of the following:

  • foam systems
  • water-mist systems
  • aerosol systems
  • inert clean agent systems
  • chemical clean agent systems (including halon)
  • CO2 systems
  • dry chemical systems
  • specialty detection 
  • explosion prevention
  • integrated systems with multiple zones

Up to 12 months may be in related experience in: detection and control, water- based systems, fire alarm systems, project management in fire alarm systems / water-based systems.

A minimum of 120 months of experience, which MUST include:

- at least 108 months of special hazards systems-specific work experience including:

  • senior management role with overall responsibility for projects’ technical aspects including system specifying, estimating and sales, design, code compliance review, installation, and final acceptance


- experience with at least 4 of the following:

  • foam systems
  • water-mist systems
  • aerosol systems
  • inert clean agent systems
  • chemical clean agent systems (including halon)
  • low-pressure CO2 systems
  • dry chemical systems
  • specialty detection
  • explosion prevention
  • integrated systems with multiple zones

Up to 12 months may be in related experience in: detection and control, water- based systems, fire alarm systems, project management in fire alarm systems / water-based systems.
Personal Recommendations- Obtain recommendation ratings showing a capacity for:
(not required) (not required) Independent engineering technician responsibilities Senior engineering technician responsibilities
Major Project- Provide a detailed description of a major project and your role in it showing:
(not required) (not required) (not required) Provide a detailed description of a major project and your role in it showing senior responsibility for a special hazard system layout project of substantial complexity.

*Time periods are full time equivalent