Rule 4765-21-09 | Reciprocity for fire instructor.
[Comment: For dates and availability of material incorporated by reference in this rule see rule 4765-25-02 of the Administrative Code.]
(A) For purposes of granting reciprocity, the executive director may review firefighter instructor licensing or certification requirements and firefighter instructor training standards from another state, the District of Columbia, a United States territory, any branch of the United States military, or other fire instructor training program approved by the executive director, to identify those requirements and standards that are substantially similar to the curriculum and certification standards set forth in section 4765.55 of the Revised Code and Chapters 4765-21 and 4765-24 of the Administrative Code.
(B) To be eligible to receive a fire instructor certificate by reciprocity pursuant to section 4765.55 of the Revised Code and Chapter 4765-21 of the Administrative Code, an applicant who possesses a current and valid certificate or license to teach fire training, that is in good standing, from another state, the District of Columbia, or a United States territory, or an applicant who completed a fire instructor training course from any branch of the United States military, shall meet all of the following qualifications:
(1) The applicant successfully completed a structured course of instruction in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States territory, or other firefighter instructor training program approved by the executive director that is substantially similar to the training standards and curriculum requirements set forth in paragraph (A)(1) of rule 4765-24-15 of the Administrative Code;
(2) The applicant shall possess a current firefighter certificate issued under section 4765.55 of the Revised Code and rule 4765-20-02 of the Administrative Code that is in good standing;
(3) In the preceding seven years, the applicant has at least five years of experience as a certified firefighter. Experience as a firefighter in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States territory, or any branch of the United States military may be used to fulfill this requirement;
(C) The applicant for a fire instructor requesting certification through reciprocity shall submit a completed "Fire Instructor Reciprocity Packet" including documentation that all requirements as specified in paragraphs (B)(1) to (B)(3) of this rule have been met.
(D) Upon compliance with all requirements for certification in paragraphs (B) and (C) of this rule, the applicant will be issued a letter of authorization to test by the division.
(E) Within twelve months after the applicant is approved for testing and the division issues a letter of authorization to test, the applicant shall:
(1) Pass the fire instructor knowledge examination as set forth in paragraph (A) of rule 4765-21-05 of the Administrative Code;
(2) Pass the instructional methods examination as set forth in paragraph (A) of rule 4765-21-05 of the Administrative Code;
(3) Complete all of the following requirements:
(a) The four hour "Fire Service Training Module";
(b) The four hour "Live Fire Training Awareness Module";
(4) Complete ten hours of supervised teaching:
(a) The supervised teaching shall be completed in the presence of a fire instructor trainer and under the auspices of a chartered program;
(b) The supervised teaching shall include a minimum of six hours of classroom lecture and a maximum of four hours of practical skills instruction
(c) The supervised teaching may not occur until the student has completed the two four-hour modules as set forth in paragraph (E)(3) of this rule.
(F) An applicant that fails to complete the requirements set forth in paragraph (E) of this rule within the twelve month time frame shall complete a new course of instruction.
(G) After completing the requirements set forth in paragraph (E) of this rule, the applicant shall submit a completed "Fire Instructor Reciprocity Application" within ninety days. An applicant that fails to submit a completed "Fire Instructor Reciprocity Application" within ninety days shall complete a new course of instruction.
(H) In addition to the requirements set forth in paragraphs (B) to (G) of this rule, the applicant:
(1) Shall not have been convicted of any of the following:
(a) Any felony;
(b) A misdemeanor committed in the course of practice;
(c) A misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
(2) Shall not have committed fraud, misrepresentation, or material deception in applying for or obtaining a certificate issued under section 4765.55 of the Revised Code and this chapter.
(3) Shall not have been previously revoked or denied a certificate by the executive director or the licensing organization in another state.
(4) An applicant who has not resided in the state of Ohio for five years immediately preceding the date of application shall provide the division with a criminal records check of the applicant in accordance with section 109.572 of the Revised Code obtained from the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation and including information from the federal bureau of investigation. An applicant's failure to submit this documentation renders the application for reciprocity incomplete.
(I) If an applicant possesses a certificate from the international fire service accreditation congress or national board on fire service professional qualifications that meets the performance objectives for fire instructor II set forth in "NFPA 1041," the applicant will be deemed to have met the requirements set forth in paragraph (B) of this rule.
(J) An applicant who has previously held a certificate to teach as a fire instructor in Ohio or another state, the District of Columbia, a United States territory, or any branch of the United States military, which was previously revoked by the executive director or licensing agency of this state or another state, the District of Columbia, a United States territory, or any branch of the United States military, is not eligible for reciprocity.
(K) If an applicant is eligible for reinstatement as set forth in rule 4765-21-07 and rule 4765-21-08 of the Administrative Code, then that applicant is not eligible to be issued a certificate under this rule.
(L) For an application to be considered complete:
(1) The application shall be filled out in the manner as specified;
(2) All required documentation shall be provided;
(3) The application shall be submitted within ninety days of completion of the requirements set forth in paragraph (G) of this rule.
(M) A fire instructor 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.
Last updated October 26, 2023 at 12:47 PM
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