Rule 4765-20-10 | Firefighter certification by reciprocity.
[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 licensing or certification requirements and firefighter training standards from another state, the District of Columbia, a United States territory, any branch of the United States military, or other firefighter training program approved by the executive director to identify those requirements and standards that are substantially similar to the curriculum and certification standards as set forth in Chapter 4765-24 of the Administrative Code and this chapter.
(B) In accordance with section 5903.03 of the Revised Code, the division considers substantially similar military experience, education, and training when determining whether an applicant who is a veteran or member of the armed forces has met all or part of the requirements for a certificate. An applicant who is a veteran or member of the armed forces shall provide all relevant documentation demonstrating his or her military experience, education, and training to assist the division in its determination.
(C) To be eligible to receive a firefighter certificate through reciprocity pursuant to section 4765.55 of the Revised Code and this chapter, an applicant who holds a current and valid firefighter certificate or license, that is in good standing, from another state, the District of Columbia, or a United States territory shall meet all of the following qualifications:
(1) The applicant is at least eighteen years of age;
(2) The applicant successfully completed the following federal emergency management agency training courses:
(a) "National Incident Management System Course IS-700";
(b) "National Incident Management System Course ICS-100" or the online equivalent.
(3) The applicant successfully completed a structured firefighter training course in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States territory, or other fire training program approved by the executive director that is substantially similar to the training standards and curriculum as set forth in Chapter 4765-24 of the Administrative Code. The training course shall have met all of the following:
(a) The training course included traditional classroom and practical skills training in the subject areas identified in the Ohio firefighter curriculum as set forth in Chapter 4765-24 of the Administrative Code;
(b) The training course required the applicant to pass one or more written and practical skills examinations that test knowledge, skills, and ability to provide firefighter services;
(c) The training course was significantly similar to the current curriculum requirements for the level of certification sought;
(d) The training course was completed in the last thirty-six months or the applicant was active with a fire department within the last thirty-six months.
(4) The applicant successfully completed an emergency vehicle operations course consistent with the course requirements set forth in paragraph (D)(3) of rule 4765-20-02 of the Administrative Code.
(5) The applicant successfully completed hazardous materials awareness and operations level training consistent with the course requirements set forth in paragraph (D)(4) of rule 4765-20-02 of the Administrative Code.
(6) The applicant for firefighter requesting certification through reciprocity submits a completed "Firefighter Reciprocity Packet" including documentation that all requirements as specified in paragraph (C) of this rule have been met.
(D) To be eligible to receive a firefighter certificate through reciprocity pursuant to section 4765.55 of the Revised Code and this chapter, an applicant who received a firefighter training course from any branch of the United States military, shall meet all of the following qualifications:
(1) The applicant successfully completed the following federal emergency management agency training courses:
(a) "National Incident Management System Course IS-700";
(b) "National Incident Management System Course ICS-100" or the online equivalent.
(2) The applicant successfully completed a structured firefighter training course in any branch of the United States military that is substantially similar to the training standards and curriculum as set forth in Chapter 4765-24 of the Administrative Code that met all of the following:
(a) The training course included traditional classroom and practical skills training in the subject areas identified in the Ohio firefighter curriculum as set forth in Chapter 4765-24 of the Administrative Code;
(b) The training course required the applicant to pass one or more written and practical skills examinations that test knowledge, skills, and ability to provide firefighter services;
(c) The training course was significantly similar to the current curriculum requirements for the level of certification sought;
(d) The training course was completed in the last thirty-six months; or the applicant was on active duty with a fire department within the last thirty-six months.
(3) The applicant successfully completed an emergency vehicle operations course consistent with the course requirements set forth in paragraph (D)(3) of rule 4765-20-02 of the Administrative Code.
(4) The applicant successfully completed hazardous materials awareness and operations level training consistent with the course requirements set forth in paragraph (D)(4) of rule 4765-20-02 of the Administrative Code.
(5) The applicant for firefighter requesting certification through reciprocity submits a completed "Firefighter Reciprocity Packet" including documentation that all requirements as specified in paragraph (D) of this rule have been met.
(E) Upon compliance with all requirements for certification in paragraph (C) or (D) of this rule, the applicant will be issued a letter of authorization to test by the division.
(1) Within twelve months after the applicant is approved for testing and the division issues a letter of authorization to test, the applicant shall pass the practical skills examination and the knowledge examination, as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code, at the level of certification sought. An applicant who fails to pass the practical skills and knowledge examinations within twelve months of the issuance of the letter of authorization to test shall complete a new course of instruction at the level of certification sought.
(2) Practical skills and written examinations may be waived for applicants successfully completing training that meets the requirements of this rule through the United States military within the last thirty-six months.
(F) The applicant shall submit a completed "Firefighter Reciprocity Application" within ninety days of passing the practical skills examination and the knowledge examination. An applicant who fails to submit a completed "Firefighter Reciprocity Application" within the ninety days shall complete a new course of instruction at the level of certification sought.
(G) In addition to the requirements set forth in paragraphs (C) to (F) of this rule, as applicable, an applicant for firefighter:
(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.
(H) In deciding whether to grant a firefighter certificate, the executive director, with the advice and counsel of the committee, has the following options:
(1) The executive director shall issue a firefighter certificate to an applicant who meets all of the requirements listed in paragraphs (C) or (D), (E), (F), and (G) of this rule;
(2) The executive director shall refuse to grant a firefighter certificate to an applicant who fails to meet one or more of the requirements listed in paragraphs (C) or (D), (E), and (F) of this rule, as applicable;
(3) The executive director may grant, refuse to grant, or restrict a firefighter certificate to an applicant who meets the requirements listed in paragraphs (C) or (D), (E), and (F) of this rule, but fails to meet one or more of the requirements listed in paragraph (G) of this rule.
(I) An applicant who is eligible for reinstatement is not eligible to apply for certification by reciprocity at or below the level of the expired certificate.
Last updated October 26, 2023 at 12:47 PM
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