How to Become a Certified Fire Official or Fire Marshal

Connecticut's fire official certification program is administered by the Office of Education and Data Management (OEDM) in conjunction with the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

Becoming a certified fire official in Connecticut involves a defined certification pathway administered by the OEDM on behalf of OSFM. Whether you're being put forward by your department or pursuing this on your own, the process follows the same general arc:

1. Confirm you're eligible — you'll need documented experience in fire suppression, inspection, investigation, or a related field.
2. Apply — through OEDM's online Learning Management System, where you'll also track your continuing education once certified.
3. Complete your Mental Health First Aid / Resiliency training — required of all candidates under state law.
4. Earn your certifications — Connecticut recognizes two primary credentials that form the foundation of fire official work: Fire Code Inspector and Fire Investigator. Both can be earned through instructor-led training classes or, in some cases, by challenging the certification exam directly.

If your department is sponsoring you for a specific fire official position, your path will typically run through the Pre-Certification Training Program. If you're pursuing certification independently for career development, you have more flexibility in how you get there.

The pages linked below walk through each step in detail. If you're not sure where to start, begin with Eligibility & Application Requirements.

Overview

Connecticut currently recognizes three active certified fire official credentials. “Fire Marshal” is not a separate standalone training track — it is earned by combining two other certifications with two additional sets of requirements:

*FSCI and HMI are legacy credentials — no longer issued as new certifications, but holders must still complete listed CEU hours to maintain status. “Deputy Fire Marshal” and similar titles refer to jurisdictional/municipal positions, not separate state certifications.

The Four Certification Criteria

To become a certified Fire Marshal, you must meet all four of the following:

• Certification as a Fire Code Inspector
• Certification as a Fire Investigator
• Meet one of the minimum standards of qualification for local fire marshals, fire code inspectors, or fire investigators established in statute
• Completion of an approved Mental Health First Aid / Resiliency training program (see below)

Two Paths to Certification

You can earn Fire Code Inspector and Fire Investigator certification through either of two paths:

• Pre-Certification Training Program — instructor-led classes offered each fall and spring
• Challenge Examination — written exam offered regularly throughout the year, with a practical assessment for Fire Investigator offered twice yearly

See Training & Exam Options for details on both paths.

Fees & Payment

There are no fees for the Pre-Certification Training Program, Challenge Examinations, or OEDM Continuing Education classes. All OEDM programs are funded by the Code Training and Education Fund, supported by assessments on building permit construction values.

Students are responsible for purchasing their own code books and may be responsible for parking fees associated with program attendance.

Laws & Regulations

• C.G.S. § 29-298 — Certification of local fire marshals, fire inspectors, fire code inspectors and fire investigators; continuing education; certificate of emeritus
• C.G.S. § 29-298a — Fire Marshal Training Council duties, including decertification hearings
• C.G.S. § 29-298b — Hearing prior to revocation of certificate; appeal
• Regs. of Conn. State Agencies § 29-298-16 — Continuing education hours required for fire official certification

Contact Information

​Department of Administrative Services

Office of Education and Data Management

450 Columbus Boulevard – Suite 1306,

Hartford, CT 06103

(860) 713-5522

oedm@ct.gov