certification programs

Certification Requirements

Level I

Level II

Level III

Level IV
Examination*- Pass the:
Level I Exam

Level I and II Exams

Level I, II, III General Plans and Preparation, and III Hydraulics and Water Supply Planning Exams

Level I, II, III General Plans and Preparation, and III Hydraulics and Water Supply Planning, 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 aspects of plan preparation for water-based fire protection systems, including preparation and compiling of CAD drawings, layout of sprinklers, and assisting in field surveys.

A minimum of 2 years* of water-based fire protection systems layout core and related work experience. Of the 2 years (24 months), at least 12 months must be direct core water-based fire protection systems layout experience, including:

  • Complete layout of NFPA 13D, 13R, and/or 13 sprinkler systems
  • Application of design specifications to NFPA 13 sprinkler and/or standpipe systems
  • Field surveys for NFPA 13D, 13R, and/or 13 systems and standpipe systems
  • Detailing for other types of systems (pre-action, dry systems, etc.)

A total of 12 months (max) of related experience may be granted from any combination of the following:

  • Special Hazards Systems Design (6 months max)
  • Special hazards suppression systems installation (2 months max)
  • Inspection and testing of water-based systems (2 months max)
  • Sprinkler system installation/maintenance (2 months max)
  • Fire Alarm Systems Design (2 months max)

A minimum of 5 years* of water-based fire protection systems layout experience. At minimum, an additional 3 years (36 months) of experience from the previous level must be direct water-based fire protection systems layout experience, which MUST include:

  • Complete layout of sprinkler and standpipe systems
  • Hydraulic calculations, for a variety of applications

and which may include:

  • Management of water-based system layout projects and/or code compliance

No new related experience may be added in Level III; a total of 1 year (12 months) can be carried over from Level II.

A minimum of 10 years* of full-time involvement with layout of water-based systems.** At minimum, an additional 5 years (60 months) of experience from the previous level must be direct water-based fire protection systems layout experience, which MUST include:

  • Management of multiple layout projects involving multiple work teams
  • Coordination with installers
  • Responsible interactions with clients, engineers, and AHJs.

**Note: Systems must include wet-pipe, dry pipe, antifreeze, deluge, and pre-action, and may include foam and fixed water-spray.

Of the 5 years (60 months), 1 year (12 months) may be awarded as time involved as an AHJ in reviewing water-based system layouts for code compliance.
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 requirements are full time equivalent.

**If you are currently certified at a particular level in this program, you do NOT need to take any test listed for that level or lower. For example, if you want to test for Level III and are certified in this program at Level II, then you must pass the Level III General and Level III Hydraulics exams, but do not need to take the Level I or Level II exams.