Fire Rescue Certification

See the program updates section below for important changes that were announced in late August 2024.

Introduction

We administer International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and Pro Board-accredited testing and certification for municipal and industrial fire rescue services in Alberta.

Employers decide what training and qualifications are needed to ensure the safety and competence of their employees. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) certification of fire service members is not required by the provincial government.

For more information on firefighter training and qualifications in Alberta, see ALIS’s Firefighter Career Profile or Wildland Firefighter Career Profile.

NFPA certification

We test and certify to the following NFPA standards:

470 Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations (2022 Edition)
1001 Firefighter Levels I & II (2019 Edition)
1002 Driver/Operator, Pump Operator and Aerial Operator (2017 Edition)
1006 Technical Rescue Awareness, Rope Rescue I & II and Vehicle Rescue I (2013 Edition)
1021 Fire Officer Levels I & II (2020 Edition)
1031 Fire Inspector Levels I & II (2014 Edition)
1033 Fire Investigator Levels I (2014 Edition)
1041 Fire Service Instructor Levels I & II (2019 Edition)
1140 Wildland Firefighter Level I (2022 Edition)

Program updates

As of September 1, 2024, candidates who have successfully completed evaluations for NFPA certification will have up to 2 years from their completion date to apply for certificates with all required prerequisites.

Alberta firefighters and emergency responders who completed evaluations between January 1, 2016 and September 1, 2024 – but have not yet applied for certification – will have until September 1, 2026 to apply.