4765-21-03. Qualifications for an instructor certificate  


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  • [Comment: For dates and availability of material incorporated by reference in this rule see rule 4765-25-02 of the Administrative Code.]

    (A) An applicant for a fire instructor certificate shall meet all the following requirements:

    (1) In the preceding seven years, an applicant shall have been certified for at least five years as a firefighter;

    (2) Shall possess a current and valid firefighter certificate that is in good standing;

    (3) Shall pass the fire instructor knowledge examination as set forth in paragraph (A) of rule 4765-21-05 of the Administrative Code. The fire instructor knowledge examination shall be taken within one year prior to the start of a fire instructor course;

    (4) Shall complete a fire instructor training course consisting of a minimum of sixty hours as set forth in paragraph (A) of rule 4765-24-15 of the Administrative Code;

    (5) Shall pass the instructional methods examination, as set forth in rule 4765-21-05 of the Administrative Code;

    (6) Shall comply with the requirements for a firefighter certificate as set forth in paragraph (F) of rule 4765-20-02 of the Administrative Code;

    (7) Shall submit a completed "Fire, Assistant Fire, or Fire Safety Inspector Instructor Initial Application" no later than two years after passing the fire instructor knowledge examination.

    (B) An applicant for an assistant fire instructor certificate shall meet all the following requirements:

    (1) In the preceding seven years, an applicant shall have been certified for at least five years as a firefighter; and

    (2) Shall possess a current and valid firefighter certificate that is in good standing;

    (3) Shall pass the fire instructor knowledge examination as set forth in paragraph (E) of rule 4765-21-05 of the Administrative Code. The fire instructor knowledge examination shall be completed within one year prior to completing requirements as set forth in paragraphs (B)(5) to (B)(8) of this rule.

    (4) Shall comply with the requirements for a firefighter certificate as set forth in paragraph (F) of rule 4765-20-02 of the Administrative Code;

    (5) Shall complete the four hour "Fire Service Training Module" ;

    (6) Shall complete the four hour "Live Fire Training Awareness Module" ;

    (7) Shall complete ten hours of supervised teaching:

    (a) In the presence of a fire instructor trainer and under the auspices of a chartered program; and

    (b) Including a minimum of six hours of classroom lecture and a maximum of four hours of practical skills instruction.

    (8) Shall submit a completed "Fire, Assistant Fire, or Fire Safety Inspector Instructor Initial Application."

    (C) For those certified as a fire instructor or assistant fire instructor between April 7, 2014, through December 31, 2017, the holder of a fire instructor or assistant fire instructor certificate, who wishes to provide instruction in any live fire training evolutions required for certification as a firefighter, shall successfully complete the "Live Fire Training-Operations Level Course" through a chartered program in order to be eligible for certification.

    (1) The "Live Fire Training-Operations Level Course" shall consist of a minimum of twenty-four hours as set forth in paragraph (C) of rule 4765-24-15 of the Administrative Code.

    (2) Credit may be given for successful completion of a substantially similar live fire training operations course when approved by the executive director.

    (3) Fire instructors and assistant fire instructors who wish to provide instruction in live fire training evolution shall submit a completed "Live Fire Instructor Initial Application" no later than September 1, 2020.

    (D) Effective January 1, 2018, the holder of a fire instructor or assistant fire instructor certificate, who wishes to provide instruction in any live fire training evolutions required for certification as a firefighter, shall meet the following requirements:

    (1) Applicants shall complete the "Live Fire Training-Operations Level Course" through a chartered program except that credit may be given for successful completion of a substantially similar live fire training operations course when approved by the executive director;

    (2) Applicants shall complete the job performance requirements set forth in the "Live Fire Training Operations Job Performance Requirement Check-Off Packet."

    (a) The job performance requirements shall be completed under the auspices of a chartered program;

    (b) The job performance requirements shall be completed within twelve months of completion of the "Live Fire Training-Operations Level Course";

    (3) Applicants shall submit a completed "Live Fire Instructor Initial Application" within ninety days after completion of the job performance requirements set forth in the "Live Fire Training Operations Job Performance Requirement Check-Off Packet."

    (E) Effective January 1, 2021, no person shall provide instruction in live fire training evolutions required for certification as a firefighter without possessing a live fire instructor certificate:

    (1) The training shall be obtained as set forth in paragraph (C) or (D) of this rule;

    (2) The holder of a certificate to teach may be eligible for certification as a live fire instructor through exemption as specified in paragraph (F) of this rule.

    (F) A holder of a current and valid fire instructor or assistant fire instructor certificate on April 6, 2014, who wishes to provide instruction in any live fire training courses shall be exempt from the requirements set forth in paragraphs (C) and (D) of this rule provided:

    (1) The fire instructor or assistant fire instructor certificate does not expire and become subject to the reinstatement process for a fire instructor or assistant fire instructor certificate; and

    (2) The fire instructor or assistant fire instructor submits a "Live Fire Instructor Initial Application" no later than December 31, 2020.

    (G) An applicant for a live fire instructor certificate shall meet all of the following requirements:

    (1) Shall possess a current and valid fire instructor or assistant fire instructor certificate that is in good standing;

    (2) Shall meet the appropriate live fire instructor requirements as set forth in paragraphs (C) to (F) of this rule;

    (3) Shall submit a completed "Live Fire Instructor Initial Application."

    (H) An applicant who fails to meet the time frames as set forth in paragraphs (C), (D), and (F) of this rule is not eligible to receive a live fire training certificate. The applicant shall complete a new course of instruction and meet all qualifications for a live fire instructor as provided in this rule.

    (I) An applicant for a fire safety inspector instructor certificate shall meet all of the following requirements:

    (1) In the preceding seven years, an applicant shall have been certified for at least five years as a fire safety inspector; and

    (2) Shall possess a current and valid fire safety inspector certificate that is in good standing;

    (3) Shall pass the fire safety inspector instructor knowledge examination as set forth in paragraph (C) of rule 4765-21-05 of the Administrative Code. The fire instructor knowledge examination shall be taken within one year prior to the start of a fire safety inspector instructor course;

    (4) Shall complete a fire safety inspector instructor training course consisting of a minimum of sixty hours as set forth in paragraph (A) of rule 4765-24-16 of the Administrative Code;

    (5) Shall pass the instructional methods examination, as set forth in paragraph (C) of rule 4765-21-05 of the Administrative Code;

    (6) Shall comply with the requirements for a fire safety inspector certificate as set forth in paragraph (D) of rule 4765-20-03 of the Administrative Code.

    (7) Shall submit a completed "Fire, Assistant Fire, or Fire Safety Inspector Instructor Initial Application" no later than two years after passing the fire safety inspector instructor knowledge examination.

    (J) If an applicant is unable to complete all requirements for a fire instructor or fire safety inspector instructor certificate within two years of passing the fire instructor or fire safety inspector instructor knowledge examination, the applicant shall complete a new fire instructor or fire safety inspector instructor training course and meet all criteria for a fire instructor or fire safety inspector instructor as set forth in this rule.

    (K) An individual holding an instructor certificate shall immediately relinquish such certificate under the following circumstances:

    (1) A fire instructor certificate or assistant fire instructor certificate shall be relinquished if the holder's firefighter certificate is revoked or surrendered;

    (2) A fire safety inspector instructor certificate shall be relinquished if the holder's fire safety inspector certificate is revoked or surrendered;

    (3) A live fire instructor certificate shall be relinquished if the holder's fire instructor certificate or assistant fire instructor certificate is revoked or surrendered.

    (L) A fire instructor, assistant fire instructor, live fire instructor, or fire safety inspector instructor training certificate issued pursuant to this rule shall be issued in accordance with the certification cycles and pro-rated renewal requirements set forth in rule 4765-21-15 of the Administrative Code.


Effective: 4/1/2019
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 10/1/2022
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4765.55
Rule Amplifies: 4765.55
Prior Effective Dates: 6/30/75, 5/1/79, 1/1/89, 1/1/96, 9/25/00, 5/29/03, 9/30/04, 01/24/2008, 04/07/2014, 01/01/2018