.png){kind=logo}
INCIDENT SAFETY OFFICER Certification
The FDSOA allows members, non-members sponsored by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), and individuals meeting the duties and requirements of a company officer or incident scene safety officer to apply and test for certification. Applicant shall meet the requirements of NFPA 1021 Standard for Fire Officer Chapter 4 Section 4.1 and the job performance requirements (JPRs) defined in NFPA 1521-2015 Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer Chapter 5 Section 5.1.1.
FDSOA Exam Fee • $95 USD
Non-Member Exam Fee • $225 USD
Testing Site Options
FDSOA 2-Day Academy
The exam is administered on the second day of all FDSOA 2-Day
Academies. Academies are offered across the country, contact the office
to inquire about hosting a class for your area.
Individualized Testing
The exam is administered to the certification candidates at their location utilizing a local proctor. Testing materials are sent to the proctor and the candidate reports to the proctor for testing.
Departmental Testing
The exam is administered to two or more certification candidates from the same emergency service organization at the organization’s location utilizing a local proctor. Testing materials are sent to the proctor and the candidates report to the test site for testing.
Regional Testing
The exam is administered to two or more certification candidates from different emergency service organization at a host organization’s location utilizing a local proctor. Testing materials are sent to the proctor and the candidates report to the host organization’s test site for testing. Host organizations are responsible for providing a room for testing and promoting the exam. The dates, times and locations are listed on the Events Page.
Conference Testing
The exam is administered in conjunction with national conferences such as FDSOA Annual Conference, FDSOA Apparatus Symposium, FDIC and Fire Rescue International. The dates, times and locations are listed on the Events Page.
Examination Procedure
You will be notified when and where to appear for your exam. A valid picture ID is required to sit for the exam. You will have four hours to complete the exam. The exam will be 100 multiple-choice questions that measure your knowledge, abilities, and aptitudes to perform in an Incident Safety Officer role. Registration begins 1/2 hour before the exam. Applicants not checked in 15 minutes before the exam's start time will not be allowed to sit for the exam. You will receive your exam results via US Mail.
Skill Sheet Requirement
With new NFPA Standards, the Pro Board requires students to complete six randomly assigned skills sheets and pass a 100-question exam before certification. An affidavit from a Chief Officer of your department will serve as proof of skill sheet completion. Students will return only the affidavit and save the skill sheets in the event of a Pro Board audit. You are only required to complete the six skill sheets that appear on your affidavit. Links to the affidavit and skill sheets are below.
Certificates will not be issued until receipt of the signed affidavit within one year of the exam date.
It is FDSOA’s policy to comply with all federal, state, and local laws concerning the treatment of individuals with disabilities, including the Americans With Disabilities Act.
FDSOA will not discriminate against any qualified applicant with respect to any terms, privileges, or conditions of certification or re-certification because of the individual’s physical or mental disability.
FDSOA also will make reasonable accommodations whenever necessary for all applicants with disabilities, provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the essential functions for certification or re-certification and provided further that any accommodations made do not place an undue hardship on FDSOA.