The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has developed three new Learning Path programs to help different professionals prepare for certification credentials at their own pace and at the level they deem necessary. Stakeholders looking to prepare for Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS®), Certified Fire Inspector (CFI-I), and Certified Fire Plan Examiner (CFPE) exams can customize their studying approach to include individual online training modules or a full program with more comprehensive educational content.
“NFPA wanted to provide professionals with a completely online certification prep program that can be tailored for depth of knowledge and speed. The Learning Path option is also a great way for fire departments or companies looking to skill up their teams rather than trying to coordinate time away from work to attend classroom training,” said Bartholomew Jae, Director of Education & Development at NFPA. “One of the many unique NFPA Learning Path features is a navigation tool that helps stakeholders plot out their long-range learning approach so that they are covering related content in advance of the certification exam date.”
The new online certification training is being introduced at a time when people have become accustomed to remote work and virtual education opportunities due to a global pandemic and fewer in-person courses being conducted these days. Available 24/7, each Learning Path program has its own set of strategies for helping students to grasp the subject matter. All three offerings include a practice exam component, as well as a final Capstone activity to test knowledge and core responsibilities.
Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS®) Learning Path
The Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) credential documents competency and offers professional recognition for individuals involved in curtailing physical and financial fire loss. Fire protection professionals, risk managers, loss control specialists, fire officers, fire marshals, fire inspectors, safety managers, fire protection consultants, designers, engineers, code enforcers, facility managers, building owners, and others responsible for the application of fire safety, protection, prevention, and suppression technologies will find value in having unlimited online access to CFPS content for a year. The 41 certification modules in the Premium bundle have been created with material from the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook® (FPH®) and feature expert videos, interactive 3D fire scene investigation tools, official research reports and news reports of fire incidents, knowledge checks, and quizzes at the end of every module. The interactive, online course is based on the new 2020 CFPS examination content outline.
Certified Fire Inspector I (CFI-I) Learning Path
Fire service professionals, code officials, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), insurance professionals, and others planning to take the Certified Fire Inspector I examination will learn about the job performance requirements for the Fire Inspector I level as defined in the 2014 edition of NFPA 1031, Standard for Professional Qualification for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner. New learners will benefit from a full online CFI-I learning program with 31 hours of related content and the possibility of earning 3.1 continuing education units (CEUs). This track includes 10 modules specifically designed to prepare the CFI-I candidate for the exam and an additional 21 modules that provide in-depth training on codes and standards. Those interested in a leaner approach, can opt for the Primer offer, which includes the 10 exam prep modules or take individual à la carte courses.
Certified Fire Plan Examiner (CFPE) Learning Path
Like the CFI-I program, the Certified Fire Plan Examiner certification exam is based on NFPA 1031 and also includes NFPA codes related directly to the plan examiner’s field-of-practice: NFPA 1 Fire Code, NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, NFPA 72® National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code® and NFPA 101® Life Safety Code®. Created by NFPA to mirror the certification exam blueprint, this Learning Path entails 27 hours of content (2.7 CEUs) including expert video commentary, interactive 3D tools, case studies, and regulation-changing fire-incident videos. Fire service professionals, code officials, AHJs, insurance professionals, plan reviewers, municipal inspectors, technicians, installers, and engineer/designers can evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in a unique interactive sandbox area.
