Rule 4765-20-08 | Reinstatement of a firefighter, fire safety inspector, or hazard recognition officer certificate.
[Comment: For dates and availability of material incorporated by reference in this rule see rule 4765-25-02 of the Administrative Code.]
(A) A firefighter or fire safety inspector certificate shall expire on its expiration date.
(B) In order to reinstate a firefighter certificate that has expired, an applicant shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1) The applicant shall meet all qualifications for a firefighter certificate as set forth in rule 4765-20-02 of the Administrative Code;
(2) The applicant shall have previously held a firefighter certificate for the level of certification sought;
(3) The applicant shall have been in good standing at the time the certificate expired;
(4) The applicant shall meet the requirements as set forth in paragraph (D), (E), or (F) of this rule, as applicable.
(5) The applicant shall submit a completed "Firefighter or Fire Safety Inspector Reinstatement Application."
(C) The application fee for military veterans shall be waived.
(D) The executive director shall reinstate a firefighter certificate that has expired for not more than ninety days from the expiration date, if the applicant meets the requirements set forth in paragraph (B) of this rule and all of the following requirements:
(1) Submits an application fee of seventy-five dollars;
(2) Provides documentation to the division that all continuing education requirements as set forth in Chapter 4765-20 of the Administrative Code were met for the certification cycle prior to the certificate's expiration date. If the continuing education requirements have not been completed prior to expiration date, the applicant is not eligible for reinstatement under this paragraph.
(E) The executive director shall reinstate a firefighter certificate that has expired for more than ninety days, but not more than thirty-six months from the expiration date, if the applicant meets the requirements set forth in paragraph (B) of this rule and all of the following requirements:
(1) Submits an application fee of seventy-five dollars;
(2) Provides documentation to the division that all continuing education requirements as set forth in Chapter 4765-20 of the Administrative Code were met for the previous certification cycle. Continuing education need not be completed prior to the certificate's expiration date, but shall be completed at time of application;
(3) The applicant passes the knowledge examination within three attempts, at the level of certification sought, as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code.
(F) The executive director shall reinstate a firefighter certificate that has expired for more than thirty-six months, but not more than seventy-two months from the expiration date, if the applicant meets the requirements set forth in paragraph (B) of this rule and all of the following requirements:
(1) Submits an application fee of seventy-five dollars;
(2) Provides documentation to the division that all continuing education requirements as set forth in Chapter 4765-20 of the Administrative Code were met for the previous two certification cycles. Continuing education need not be completed prior to the certificate's expiration date, but shall be completed at time of application;
(3) The applicant passes the knowledge examination within three attempts, at the level of certification sought, as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code;
(4) The applicant passes the practical skills examination within three attempts as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code.
(G) If a firefighter certificate has expired for more than seventy-two months from the expiration date, the applicant is not eligible for reinstatement. The applicant shall complete a new course of instruction and meet all qualifications for a certificate of firefighter training as provided in rule 4765-20-02 of the Administrative Code.
(H) In order to reinstate a fire safety inspector certificate that has expired, an applicant shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Except for the requirement to possess a current and valid firefighter certificate, the applicant shall meet all qualifications for a fire safety inspector certificate, as set forth in rule 4765-20-03 of the Administrative Code;
(2) The applicant shall have previously held a fire safety inspector certificate;
(3) The applicant shall have been in good standing at the time the certificate expired;
(4) The applicant shall meet requirements as set forth in paragraph (I), (J), or (K) of this rule, as applicable;
(5) The applicant shall submit a completed "Firefighter or Fire Safety Inspector Reinstatement Application."
(I) The executive director shall reinstate a fire safety inspector certificate that has expired for not more than ninety days from expiration date, if the applicant meets the requirements set forth in paragraph (H) of this rule and all of the following requirements:
(1) Submits an application fee of seventy-five dollars;
(2) Provides documentation to the division that all continuing education requirements as set forth in Chapter 4765-20 of the Administrative Code were met for the certification cycle prior to the certificate's expiration date. If the continuing education requirements have not been completed prior to expiration date, the applicant is not eligible for reinstatement under this paragraph.
(J) The executive director shall reinstate a fire safety inspector certificate that has expired for more than ninety days, but not more than thirty-six months from expiration date, if the applicant meets the requirements set forth in paragraph (H) of this rule and all of the following requirements:
(1) Submits an application fee of seventy-five dollars;
(2) Provides documentation to the division that all continuing education requirements as set forth in Chapter 4765-20 of the Administrative Code were met for the previous certification cycle. Continuing education need not be completed prior to the certificate's expiration date, but shall be completed at time of application;
(3) Passes the knowledge examination within three attempts, as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code.
(K) The executive director shall reinstate a fire safety inspector certificate that has expired for more than thirty-six months, but not more than seventy-two months from the expiration date, if the applicant meets the requirements set forth in paragraph (H) of this rule and all of the following requirements, within such time period:
(1) Submits an application fee of seventy-five dollars;
(2) Provides documentation to the division that all continuing education requirements as set forth in Chapter 4765-20 of the Administrative Code were met for the previous two certification cycles. Continuing education need not be completed prior to the certificate's expiration date, but shall be completed at time of application;
(3) Passes the knowledge examination within three attempts as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code;
(4) Passes the practical skills examination within three attempts as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code.
(L) If a fire safety inspector certificate has expired for more than seventy-two months from the expiration date, the applicant is not eligible for reinstatement. The applicant shall complete a new course of instruction and meet all qualifications for a fire safety inspector certificate as set forth in rule 4765-20-03 of the Administrative Code.
(M) A firefighter or fire safety inspector applicant shall meet all requirements for eligibility prior to taking any examination.
(N) A firefighter applicant who is eligible for reinstatement is not eligible to apply for certification by reciprocity at or below the level of the expired certificate.
(O) A firefighter applicant who qualifies for reinstatement is eligible to be reinstated only at the level previously held by such applicant.
(P) A fire safety inspector applicant who qualifies for reinstatement is eligible to be reinstated at the fire safety inspector level.
(Q) A firefighter or fire safety inspector certificate issued pursuant to this rule shall be issued in accordance with the certification cycles and pro-rated renewal requirements set forth in rule 4765-20-16 of the Administrative Code.
Last updated November 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM
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