certification programs

Certification Requirements

Level I

Level II

Level III

Level IV
Examination*- Pass the:
Level I Exam

Level I and II Exams

Levels I, II, and III exams

Levels I, II, III, and IV exams
Performance Verification- Obtain supervisor verification of all Performance Measures for:
All Level I Performance Measures All Levels I and II Performance Measures All Levels I, II, and III Performance Measures All Levels I, II, III, and IV Performance Measures
Work Experience- Provide complete, detailed position descriptions and time allocations showing:

A minimum of 6 months of technical experience with special hazards systems, which MUST include:

• at least 3 months in special hazards systems plan preparation, installation, acceptance testing, inspection and periodic testing, and/or repair and recharge.

Up to 3 months may be in related experience.

A minimum of 24 months of experience which MUST include:

• at least 12 months of special hazards systems specific work experience in one or more of the following roles / functions:

  • system plan preparation
  • installation
  • acceptance testing o inspection, testing and maintenance
  • repair and recharge

• experience with at least 2 of the following:

  • foam systems
  • water-mist systems
  • aerosol systems
  • inert clean agent systems
  • chemical clean agent systems (including halon)
  • CO2 systems
  • dry chemical systems
  • specialty detection 
  • explosion prevention


Up to 12 months may be in related experience.

A minimum of 60 months of experience which MUST include:

• at least 48 months of special hazards systems-specific work experience including:

  • design / configuration (in the office or field) including both electrical and mechanical system layout AND
  • installation o acceptance testing
  • inspection, testing and maintenance
  • repair and recharge


• experience with at least 3 of the following:

  • foam systems
  • water-mist systems
  • aerosol systems
  • inert clean agent systems
  • chemical clean agent systems (including halon)
  • CO2 systems
  • dry chemical systems
  • specialty detection 
  • explosion prevention
  • integrated systems with multiple zones

Up to 12 months may be in related experience.

A minimum of 120 months of experience, which MUST include:

• at least 108 months of special hazards systems-specific work experience including:

  • senior management role with overall responsibility for projects’ technical aspects including system specifying, estimating and sales, design, code compliance review, installation, and final acceptance


• experience with at least 4 of the following:

  • foam systems
  • water-mist systems
  • aerosol systems
  • inert clean agent systems
  • chemical clean agent systems (including halon)
  • low-pressure CO2 systems
  • dry chemical systems
  • specialty detection
  • explosion prevention
  • integrated systems with multiple zones

Up to 12 months year may be in related experience.
Personal Recommendations- Obtain recommendation ratings showing a capacity for:
(not required) (not required) Independent engineering technician responsibilities Senior engineering technician responsibilities
Major Project- Provide a detailed description of a major project and your role in it showing:
(not required) (not required) (not required) Senior responsibility for a water-based system layout project of substantial complexity

*Time periods are full time equivalent