Minimum Standards of Qualification
All candidates must have a letter from their employer or department documenting that they meet one of the following minimum standards, as set forth in C.G.S. § 29-298(a):
- At least three years of experience in fire suppression or fire prevention activities
- At least three years of experience responding to and controlling the release or potential release of hazardous materials
- At least three years of experience in inspection activities concerning the fire safety/prevention code or hazardous materials
- At least three years of experience in the investigation of the cause and origin of fires and explosions
- At least three years of experience as a member of the Connecticut State Police or a local police department
This letter must be submitted as an electronic document as part of your application in the OEDM Learning Management System (LMS).
Sponsored vs. Independent Applicants
You can pursue certification two ways:
- Sponsored applicants are put forward by their department or jurisdiction (the Appointing Authority) for a specific fire official position the department already has, or intends to have, waiting for them once certified.
- Independent applicants are pursuing certification on their own, for personal career development, without a position waiting on the other end.
Both paths follow the same application process and require the same employer letter confirming you meet one of the minimum standards of qualification above. Sponsorship affects why you're certifying, not how you apply.
Sponsored applicants typically complete both the Fire Code Inspector and Fire Investigator requirements through the Pre-Certification Training Program. Independent applicants (“challengers”) have more flexibility and may choose Challenge Examination only, the training program only, or a mix of both — for example, training for one certification and challenging the exam for the other.
How to Apply
All applications for classes and exams are submitted through the OEDM Learning Management System.
- Submit a completed application through the LMS, including all requested documentation, for review by OEDM and the State Fire Marshal
- Notifications for upcoming classes are sent via the ListServ prior to each class's start date
- If approved, you will receive a list of code books, guidebooks, and referenced standards you must purchase and bring to training or the exam
Apply through oedmtraining.ct.gov
