PQT Summer Newsletter 2022: Updated Reciprocity Process Effective July 1, 2022

Updated Reciprocity Process Effective July 1, 2022

Within the criteria of the reciprocity process for IFSAC and Pro Board certifications, Section 7.10 of the CDFPC Certification Policy and Procedures Manual states that applicants possessing a valid IFSAC or Pro Board accredited certification from another state, territory or country shall be granted a three-year, non-accredited, non-renewable, “State of Colorado Recognition Certificate” by CDFPC which allows for the applicant to test into the State of Colorado certification system at the approved level or the next highest level meeting the current standard.

At the recommendation of the Colorado Fire Training Officers Association and the Governor’s Colorado Fire Service Training and Certification Advisory Board, this requirement will be changed within the CO-DFPC Certification Policy and Procedures Manual to allow for applicants possessing an accredited certificate issued from an accredited entity to apply for a non-accredited, renewable, “State of Colorado Recognition Certificate”.

All individuals seeking State of Colorado accredited certification will be required to successfully pass a written examination and psychomotor skills examination that is tested under and issued by the State of Colorado certification program.

DFPC shall examine all requests for equivalent reciprocal certification to candidates who are certified by other International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (“IFSAC”) and/or National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications (“ProBoard”) accredited entities to determine if the certification is applicable in Colorado. This reciprocity policy applies to DFPC certification levels accredited by IFSAC and/or ProBoard.

Effective July 1, 2022 applicants requesting reciprocity from the State of Colorado may be granted a “Colorado Non-Accredited Recognition Certificate” by CDFPC after fulfilling the following requirements:

The applicant must be a current resident of Colorado (Copy of driver’s license to verify residency) or affiliated with a Colorado Emergency Services Agency.
The applicant must submit a completed DFPC Reciprocity/Non-accredited Recognition Certificate Application.
Pay a non-refundable processing fee of $40.00 for each level of recognition desired.
Possess a valid accredited certificate from IFSAC or Pro Board by providing a copy of the eligible certificate with IFSAC seal number or Pro Board seal to include accredited prerequisite certificates.
Provide proof of certification that must be accredited under the current or previous edition of the applicable standard. The date that the certificate was issued cannot exceed two (2) NFPA cycles from date of issue.
The applicant’s certification must have been received through a testing process to include both a written and practical and not a grandfathering or historical recognition process.
An applicant that is issued a “Colorado Non-Accredited Recognition Certificate” will allow the applicant to test into the State of Colorado certification system at his/her current level or the next highest level.
Once the candidate has begun the accredited certification testing process, their certification testing must be completed within one year as per Section 9.2.1.
This “Colorado Non-Accredited Recognition Certificate” is valid for three years from the time of issue and is eligible for renewal.
The applicant meets all requirements set forth by the DFPC certification policies and procedures.

This policy will go into effect for all reciprocity requests after July 1, 2022. The CDFPC Certification Policy and Procedure Manual will reflect this change as shown below:

7.10.1 Applicants possessing a valid IFSAC or Pro Board accredited certification issued through an accredited testing process may receive a “Colorado Non- Accredited Recognition Certification” by CDFPC after fulfilling the following requirements:
7.10.1.1: The applicant must be a current resident of Colorado (proof of Colorado Driver’s license) or affiliated with a Colorado Emergency Services Agency.
7.10.1.2: The department head or designee must request online for reciprocity and provide required documentation into the RMS system or the applicant must submit a completed DFPC Reciprocity/Non-accredited Certificate Application.
7.10.1.3: Pay the non-refundable processing fee for level(s) of reciprocity desired.
7.10.1.4: Possess a valid certificate accredited through IFSAC or Pro Board by providing a copy of the eligible certificate with the IFSAC seal number or Pro Board seal to include accredited prerequisite certificates.
7.10.1.5: The applicant’s certification must have been received through a testing process to include both a written and practical and not a grandfathering or historical recognition process and must have been accredited under the current or previous edition of the applicable standard. The date that the certificate was issued cannot exceed two (2) NFPA cycles from date of issue.
7.10.1.6: Meet all other applicable requirements set forth in this Certification Policies and Procedures Manual.
7.10.2: Issuance of the “Colorado Non-Accredited Recognition Certificate” will allow the applicant to test into the State of Colorado certification system at his/her current level or next highest level.
7.10.2.1: Colorado Non-Accredited Recognition Certificates are valid for at least three (3) years with the expiration date of either January 1 or July 1, depending upon when in the year the certification issued. All certified individuals must meet the renewal requirements for each individual certification as outlined in Section 9 prior to the certification expiration date.
7.10.2.2: Renewal of certifications must be completed in the RMS no earlier than 90 days prior to the expiration date and received no later than 90 after the expiration date.
7.10.2.3: By processing the completed application for renewal, the department head or designee is attesting that the applicant meets all of the renewal requirements.
7.10.2.4: Upon review and approval of the renewal application by CDFPC, the applicant will be certified for an additional three (3) year period.
7.10.2.5: Individuals possessing only a Colorado Non-Accredited Recognition Certification are not eligible to serve as proctors through the CDFPC certification process. Proctors must hold an accredited certificate(s) issued by the State of Colorado.

Note: The Division will review and verify all documentation. Once documentation has been reviewed and verified to meet the certification criteria, the candidate will be issued reciprocity. If documentation does not meet the certification requirements, the candidate will be denied reciprocity. The candidate would then be required to complete an approved training program and meet all certification requirements, including but not limited to passing written and practical skills certification exams. Reciprocity will not be granted if the applicant did not undergo practical and written testing to receive the certification that was submitted. Processing fees will not be refunded.

Important items to note:

Current reciprocity certificate holders with Colorado Non-Accredited, Non-Renewable Recognition Certificates that have an expiration date AFTER July 1, 2022 can submit the application requesting their current non- accredited, non-renewable recognition certificate(s) be issued under the new reciprocity process as a Non-Accredited, Renewable Recognition Certificate. The fee will be waived for applicants that hold a current recognition certificate(s) that apply to have their recognition certificate(s) converted under the new reciprocity process.
Applicants can only apply once for reciprocity per certificate level.
The CMCB ProBoard only Recognition Certificates will no longer be issued after July 1, 2022 as the reciprocity application process and Recognition Certificates will be the same for all applicants.
The certificate(s) must have been accredited under the current or previous edition of the applicable standard. The date that the certificate was issued cannot exceed two (2) NFPA cycles from date of issue.
Colorado Non-Accredited Recognition Certificates will be issued for a three-year period and are subject to the renewal requirements for each individual certification as outlined in Section 9 of the Policy and Procedures Manual