69A-37.059. Training Provider and Fire Service Instructor Requirements

The Bureau of Fire Standards and Training (Bureau) shall approve training providers and certify individuals to conduct training and education classes for fire service personnel. Upon satisfaction of the requirements listed under the respective categories, an applicant shall be awarded instructor certification appropriate to the applicant’s attainments and may teach designated subjects in the courses of training and education coming within the purview of the Bureau.

(1) Requirements for Training Providers.

(a) A public college or university, technical school or college, high school, fire service provider, private college or university, private entity, or individual must be approved as a Training Provider by the Bureau to facilitate the delivery of training to Florida’s firefighters leading to certification by the Bureau.

(b) A Training Provider must submit a completed Form DFS-K4-2167, which is incorporated by reference in Rule 69A-37.039, F.A.C., and can be obtained where indicated in Rule 69A-37.039, F.A.C., to the Bureau for approval to offer a pre-approved course.

(c) Before offering a new course, a Training Provider must submit a completed Form DFS-K4-2301, New Course Approval Request (eff. 12/20), which is incorporated by reference and available through the Bureau Department of Insurance Continuing Education (FCDICE) portal at https://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/SFM/FCDICE/default.htm or at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12405, to the Bureau for approval of the new course.

(d) A training provider must maintain all course rosters, attendance records, course evaluations, instructor evaluations, and instructor as required by Rule 1B-24.003, F.A.C., and enter course grades within 20 days of the last day of class into the Bureau’s FCDICE portal.

(2) Requirements for Fire Service Instructors.

(a) A Fire Service Instructor must be affiliated with at least one Training Provider and be certified by the Bureau to conduct training activities for Florida’s fire service professionals which lead to any certification by the Bureau or continuing education.

(b) Prior to a Fire Service Instructor teaching an approved course for a Training Provider, a certified Fire Service Instructor or Training Provider must submit a completed Form DFS-K4-2168, Instructor Approval Request (eff. 04/16), which is incorporated by reference in Rule 69A-37.039, F.A.C., and can be obtained where indicated in Rule 69A-37.039, F.A.C., to the Bureau for the approval of the certified Fire Service Instructor to teach the approved course.

(3) Requirements for Fire Service Instructor I Examination and Certification.

(a) Submission of the required application Form DFS-K4-1451, which is incorporated by reference in subsection 69A-37.039(2), F.A.C., and can be obtained where indicated in subsection 69A-37.039(1), F.A.C., with all supporting documentation and fees, to the Bureau.

(b) A minimum of 6 years experience as a regular member of an organized fire department.

(c) A high school diploma or equivalent.

(d) Ability to perform the tasks associated with the training.

(e) Successful completion of an approved Fire Service Course Delivery class of not less than 45 hours duration, or the equivalent as approved by the Bureau.

(f) Passing a state examination conducted at a Regional Testing Site on the material covered in the Fire Service Course Delivery class with a score of 70% or higher.

(4) Requirements for Fire Service Instructor II Examination and Certification.

(a) Submission of the required application Form DFS-K4-1452, which is incorporated by reference in subsection 69A-37.039(2), F.A.C., and can be obtained where indicated in subsection 69A-37.039(1), F.A.C.

(b) A minimum of 6 years experience as a regular member of an organized fire department.

(c) An associates degree or higher.

(d) Ability to perform the tasks associated with the training.

(e) Successful completion of an approved Fire Service Course Delivery class of not less than 45 hours duration, or the equivalent as approved by the Bureau and successful completion of an approved Fire Service Course Design class of not less than 45 hours duration, or the equivalent as approved by the Bureau.

(f) Passing a state examination conducted at a Regional Testing Site on the material covered in the Fire Service Course Delivery and the Fire Service Course Design courses with a score of 70% or higher.

(5) Requirements for Fire Service Instructor III Examination and Certification.

(a) Submission of the required application Form DFS-K4-1453, which is incorporated by reference in Rule 69A-37.039, F.A.C., and can be obtained where indicated in subsection 69A-37.039(1), F.A.C.

(b) A minimum of 6 years experience as a regular member of an organized fire department.

(c) A bachelor’s degree or higher.

(d) Ability to perform the tasks associated with the training.

(e) Successful completion of an approved Fire Service Course Delivery class of not less than 45 hours duration, or the equivalent as approved by the Bureau and successful completion of an approved Fire Service Course Design class of not less than 45 hours duration, or the equivalent as approved by the Bureau.

(f) Successful completion of a Florida Training Manager course of not less than 24 hours duration as approved by the Bureau.

(g) Passing, with a score of 70% or higher, a state examination conducted at a Regional Testing Site on the material covered in the Fire Service Course Delivery, Fire Service Course Design, and Florida Training Manager courses.

(h) All with an active Fire Service Instructor III certification must be compliant with the requirements of paragraph 69A-37.059(5)(f), F.A.C., on or before December 31, 2024, and will not be subject to the Fire Service Instructor III state exam.

(6) Requirements for Single Course Exemption Designation.

(a) Submission of the required application on Form DFS-K4-1455, which is incorporated by reference in subsection 69A-37.039(2), F.A.C., and can be obtained where indicated in subsection 69A-37.039(1), F.A.C., with all supporting documentation to the Bureau.

(b) Submission of letter requesting the exemption with detailed description of credentials or experience to be considered along with proof of same.

(c) Credentials review by Standards section.

(d) Persons holding this exemption are eligible to teach only the single course specified. This exemption will be granted upon review for recognition of extensive experience, education, or training in the subject area.

(e) Courses listed in rule Chapters 69A-37 and 69A-39, F.A.C., as leading to certification do not qualify for the Single Course Exemption Designation, with the exception of Legal Issues for Fire Investigators as identified in Rule 69A-37.065, F.A.C.

(7) Quadrennial Renewal of Fire Service Instructor Certification.

(a) Fire Service Instructor Certification must be renewed every 4 years.

(b) Should the applicant fail to meet the prerequisite training requirements specified below for renewal, the applicant must qualify for and successfully pass the required state examination for the instructor certification requested.

(c) The Bureau shall notify the certified Fire Service Instructor that the applicant’s certification is due for renewal approximately 90 days prior to the expiration of the Fire Service Instructor Certification.

(d) The certified Fire Service Instructor shall submit the renewal application Form DFS-K4-1463 (rev. 06/12), which is incorporated by reference in Rule 69A-37.039, F.A.C., and can be obtained where indicated in Rule 69A-37.039, F.A.C., to the Bureau specifying whether the renewal is to be based on completion of a course or attendance at workshops or seminars.

1. Course – Have successfully completed approved course(s) of instruction in a curriculum related to instructor improvement.

a. This course shall be 40 class hours in duration or the equivalent in Continuing Education Units (CEU’s).

b. At least 4 of the 40 hours must consist of education or training related to rule Chapter 69A-37 or 69A-39, F.A.C., and FCDICE.

c. Documentation verifying the successful completion of the course, such as a certificate or college transcript, shall be included with the renewal application.

2. Workshops or Seminars – In the absence of completion of an approved course, the certification renewal shall be based upon attendance at a workshop or seminar related to the subject of certification which shall be a cumulative total of not less than 40 contact hours in duration.

(e) Any person whose certification is not renewed cannot function as an instructor as defined herein.

(f) Any person whose certification is expired shall obtain the required continuing education credits and successfully retake the examination before the certification will be re-issued.

(8) Probation and Revocation of Fire Service Instructor Certification.

(a) The Bureau may place on probation any Fire Service Instructor whose students exhibit a lack of knowledge or skill in subject courses taught by such instructor, which shall be evidenced by a high student failure rate during participation in state administered examinations. A high student failure rate which comes to the attention of the Bureau will be analyzed to determine relationships between an individual instructor and his students’ performance. If an instructor’s students continue to exhibit high failure rates on state examinations in the subject matter taught by the instructor, a letter of concern will be provided to the instructor allowing an opportunity for explanation. In the absence of an explanation which accounts for the high student failure rate, the instructor will be placed on probation during which the instructor will be required to teach students at a level high enough to increase the pass rate.

(b) The certification of a Fire Service Instructor shall be revoked if the instructor has issued or caused to be issued course credit or course completion for any person not qualified.

(c) The certificate of a Fire Service Instructor may be revoked if the instructor violates any part of Chapter 633, F.S., or rule Chapter 69A-37, F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 633.128(1)(d), (2)(a), 633.138(1), 633.408(1) FS. Law Implemented 633.106, 633.138(1), 633.406, 633.408, 633.414, 633.446 FS. History–New 9-7-81, Formerly 4A-37.15, 4A-37.59, Amended 11-26-85, 1-3-90, 6-30-91, 3-20-95, 12-10-01, Formerly 4A-37.059, Amended 2-15-15, 12-23-20.