Updated exams provide candidates on-screen access to NFPA codes and standards in a view-only format.
The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) has released updated exams for its Special Hazards Systems (SHS) Certification Program on November 2, 2026. The updated exams will reference the NFPA 72 (2022), NFPA 70 (2020), NFPA 12 (2022), NFPA 2001 (2022), NFPA 11 (2024), NFPA 76 (2024).
With this update, the Special Hazards Systems Certification Program becomes the last of the fire protection programs to embed NFPA codes and standards into the exam, so candidates can access them on-screen in a view-only format. Candidates will still be allowed to bring physical copies of the books during testing (for specifics, please check corresponding reference lists for each level).
The SHS program certifies engineering technicians who are involved in the design and layout and/or installation and maintenance of special hazards suppression systems. Technical areas covered include knowledge of physical science and mathematics; electricity and electronics; fire suppression agents; fire protection devices; hydraulic flow of various agents; system installation, servicing, and maintenance; applicable codes and insurance authority standards; and contract interpretation and preparation.
The SHS program offers four levels of certification.
Level I is for technicians who perform limited tasks under direct supervision. The updated Level I exam has 86 questions with a 140-minute time limit and is aimed at technician trainees with at least six months of special hazards experience.
Level II is for technicians who perform routine tasks under limited supervision. The Level II exam has 144 questions over 170 minutes and is aimed at associate engineering technicians with at least two years of experience.
Level III is for technicians who work independently on SHS projects, including inspecting, maintaining, repairing, installing, and testing systems. The Level III exam has 91 questions over 200 minutes and is aimed at engineering technicians with at least five years of experience who design gaseous, dry, and wet agent systems, prepare submittals and estimates, and manage special hazards projects.
Level IV is for technicians whose work includes complex or specialized systems and the supervision and training of lower-level technicians. The Level IV exam has 63 questions and is 140 minutes. It is aimed at senior engineering technicians with at least ten years of experience.
Content outlines are available for Level I, Level II, Level III and Level IV.
Requirements build from one level to the next. Candidates do not need to hold a lower-level certification to apply at Levels II, III, or IV, but they must have met that level’s requirements. To earn certification, candidates must pass the required exam or exams, submit a work history documenting relevant industry experience, demonstrate key role-specific activities, and, for Levels III and IV, obtain a personal recommendation. For Level IV, there is an additional requirement of submitting a major work project. Certified technicians maintain their credentials through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and recertify every three years.
The exams are delivered on a computer at Pearson testing centers, which gives candidates more flexible exam dates and appointment times, immediate scheduling and confirmation, and faster scoring. Level I exams are also available as a remote-proctored exam via OnVue, the remote proctoring platform of Pearson. Along with the new on-screen references, candidates may still bring physical copies of the code books. Refer to tothe reference list for each level for details regarding what is permitted.
Full details are available in the NICET Special Hazards Systems Candidate Handbook.
NICET is a nonprofit organization created by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) to promote excellence in engineering technologies through certification and related services. Its mission is to provide independent evaluation of technical knowledge and experience in engineering technology, define and support career paths for engineering technologists and related disciplines, and ensure recognition and continued professional development for certified individuals. Learn more at nicet.org.