N.J. Admin. Code § 5:73-5.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 5:73-5.2 - Certification and adopted training programs

(a) Certification for Instructor shall be granted to an individual who:

1. Has submitted an application for certification to the Office of Training and Certification;

2. Is at least 21 years of age;

3. Obtained prerequisite certification and experience as specified in (d) below;

4. Has successfully completed the adopted State instructional program for the certification title applied; and

5. Successfully passed the State exams that evaluate the Job Performance Requirements (JPRs) and components of requisite knowledge and skills contained in the NFPA 1041, 2012 Edition, Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications, NFPA 1403, 2018 Edition, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions, and N.J.A.C. 5:73 Appendix, incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented.

(b) The following instructor titles, which are associated with the adopted standard, and the Drill Ground and Adjunct Instructor certification programs, shall be issued by the Office of Training and Certification:

1. Instructor I;

2. Instructor II;

3. Drill Ground Instructor; and

4. Adjunct Instructor.

(c) The Office of Training and Certification shall not require previously issued instructor certifications to be resubmitted. The previously issued Instructor Level 1 and Instructor Level 2 certifications shall be deemed valid and equivalent to the associated instructor certifications of this subchapter.

(d) Prerequisite certification titles issued by the Office of Training and Certification and experience shall apply to Instructor certification levels adopted by this subchapter:

1. Instructor I shall have obtained Fire Fighter I certification in accordance with this chapter and verify a minimum of three years experience as a certified Fire Fighter I.

2. Instructor II shall have obtained Instructor I certification in accordance with this subchapter and provide documentation of at least two years experience as an instructor, by providing a letter from the fire chief, training officer, or training academy director attesting to the number of courses taught, hours taught, and listing of topics taught.

3. Drill Ground Instructor shall have obtained Instructor I or II certifications in accordance with this subchapter.

4. Adjunct Instructor shall be certified by another jurisdiction/agency to instruct a specific topic, such as public education, professional development, safety, management, emergency medical services, or similar specialized topics; have completed the train-the-trainer program, if adopted by the Office of Training and Certification; and have two years instructional experience in the subject areas to be instructed, along with extensive knowledge and experience in the subject.

(e) The following certificates, courses, or experience will be accepted as substitutes for the Instructor I and II adopted program:

1. A valid New Jersey Teacher's Certificate or equivalent;

2. A valid Instructional Certificate with an endorsement for a teacher of skilled trades in fire science; or

3. Any other course taken can be submitted by the candidate to the Office of Training and Certification for an evaluation by the Office as equivalent.

(f) The Office of Training and Certification within the Division of Fire Safety shall be permitted to adopt a training program, establish training procedures and forms, establish and administer exams, establish instructor qualifications and train-the-trainer programs, and evaluate educational programs submitted by applicants to determine equivalency towards issuance of certifications and continuing education credit.

1. The adopted training program and equivalency determination shall comply with the current edition of the adopted NFPA 1041 and 1403 standards. Upon an NFPA standard edition change, the Office of Training and Certification shall have two years from the NFPA adoption date to modify existing training programs, or adopt new training programs to comply with the new NFPA standard edition.

2. Additional instruction shall be incorporated into the adopted training program if approved and/or directed by the Office of Training and Certification.

(g) Only educational programs completed within the three years prior to, or at the time of, application shall be accepted toward fulfilling the requirements for certification. The use of the exception provision below shall be restricted to a one-time issuance by certification title, and shall not be used if a certification once issued is permitted to lapse.

1. Exceptions shall be under (d) above or other equivalent educational programs from organizations accredited by Pro Board or IFSAC.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:73-5.2

Adopted by 50 N.J.R. 775(a), effective 2/5/2018