7/4/2019 NFPA - How to become certified

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How to become certi ed

The purpose of the CFPS examination is to provide a basis for determining the
competency of candidates seeking the Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS)
designation. The current body of knowledge for the examination is the NFPA Fire
Protection Handbook, 20th edition.
A complete description of the CFPS program including eligibility, exam preparation, and
re-certification requirements can be found in the CFPS Candidate Handbook. Download
your copy. (PDF) You can also download a brochure. (PDF)

Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to take the CFPS examination, candidates must demonstrate on the CFPS
examination application that they meet one of the following criteria.

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a Fire Protection-related discipline* from an

accredited college or university, including degrees in engineering fields that are #0709 CFPS
applied to the practice of fire protection; plus TWO years of verifiable work experience
dedicated to curtailing fire loss, both physical and financial.
2. Associate’s degree in a Fire Protection-related discipline* from an accredited college or university, or a Bachelor’s
or Master’s degree in any unrelated field; plus FOUR years of verifiable work experience dedicated to curtailing fire
loss, both physical and financial.
3. High school diploma or equivalent, plus SIX years of verifiable work experience dedicated to curtailing fire loss, both
physical and financial.

*Examples include degrees in Fire Protection Engineering, Fire Science, Fire Protection Technology, and Fire Service
Administration. Examples of engineering fields that are frequently applied to the practice of fire protection include, but
are not limited to, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, and Electrical engineering.
Question: What is work experience dedicated to curtailing fire loss, both physical and financial?
Answer: This covers a wide variety of jobs, roles, and industries. If your primary job role involves reducing the risk of
fire occurring (design engineering, inspections and code enforcement, etc.), or reducing physical damage, loss of life, or
financial loss in the event of a fire (fire service, risk engineering, fire protection system design/installation, etc.), your
work experience will apply.

Public statement of impartiality

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The NFPA Certification Department is committed to upholding the highest standards of fairness and impartiality in the
administration of its certification processes and exams, and throughout the execution of all aspects of the CFPS
certification program. CFPS organizational structure, policies, and procedures are all developed to maximize objectivity
and manage conflicts of interest. The NFPA Certification Department works in concert with an external team of CFPS
volunteers (acting as a Certification Advisory Group, or “CAG”) to ensure that all aspects of the CFPS program are
administered in an impartial and fair manner. Furthermore, all CFPS candidates are evaluated without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age or disability (the CFPS program provides special
accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991 - ADA).

CFPS examination
The three-hour open book CFPS examination is comprised of 100 multiple-choice questions. The examination is based
on a job analysis of fire protection specialists. The examination questions are referenced in the NFPA Fire Protection
Handbook. Review the Examination Content Area Weighting in the Applicant & Certificate Holders Handbook, pages 14,
15, 16. (PDF, 436 KB)

NEW! CFPS Practice Exam available for purchase

This 100-question practice exam mirrors the actual CFPS exam in question type, content, weighting, and difficulty, and
was written to the same specifications as the actual CFPS exam. The practice exam uses retired CFPS exam questions,
or new practice questions written by the exam committee. Find it in the NFPA Online Catalog.

Exam information
Application/exam fee - $350; Annual renewal fee - $125; Retest fee - $175

CFPS application (PDF)

Retest application (PDF)
For more information view the CFPS Handbook (PDF)

IMPORTANT: NFPA wants to partner with you to protect your personal information – NEVER INCLUDE PERSONAL
AND/OR CREDIT CARD PAYMENT INFORMATION IN THE BODY OF ANY EMAIL – If you wish to email your
application or other personal documentation, it must be placed within an attached document, and you must use the
NFPA secure email server. Once you access this server and create your NFPA secure email account, you should select
OTHER from the "To" pull-down list, and then enter cfps@nfpa.org in the address box. Complete the email process by
attaching your personal documentation and clicking "Send." Remember your new NFPA secure email account
information for future secure communications with NFPA.
A CFPS 2-day primer course is offered prior to each CFPS written exam. Visit the online catalog, or call +1 800 344-
3555 to register.

Important information regarding tabbing the Fire Protection Handbook

The Fire Protection Handbook may be tabbed before the exam with commercial permanent adhesive type tabs similar to
those provided with the Fire Protection Handbook. HOWEVER, Post-it type notes and flags or other type of easily
moveable tabs or physical markers (including paper clips) are NOT permitted at any time.

Test options
1. To locate a computer based testing center near you, visit the test center web site.
2. The CFPS examination is available in paper and pencil format. The CFPS Exam dates listed below provide those
locations where a paper and pencil format is used. Candidates who have been issued a user ID and password in
order to register for a computer based exam and experience difficulty in registering should contact the testing
vendor Iso Quality Testing customer support toll free at +1 866 773-1114.

CFPS exam dates

March 27, Baltimore, MD
May 1, Atlanta, GA
June 26, Fort Lauderdale, FL
July 10, Williamsburg, VA
September 18, Minneapolis, MN
November 6, Portland, OR

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December 4, Anaheim, CA

In This Section
CFPS general information Learn key information like eligibility, deadlines and cost.
What to expect/Rules and procedures Important information about exam guidelines.
FAQs Common questions about the exam.

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