CERTIFICATIONS INFORMATION QUICK LINKS: Certifications Offered  |  Testing Process  |  Testing Schedule | Forms & Frequently Asked Questions

Acadis Portal

At the beginning of October, State Fire Marshal Chief Dan Wallis outlined three top asks from YOU, the fire service, to enhance your customer service experience with the state Fire and Emergency Training Academy (FETA) which included the agency's responsiveness. At that time, Chief Wallis announced a new records management system for certifications, called Acadis, was forthcoming and would be implemented in phases. Great news-- Acadis is READY! And Phase 1 starts with YOU!

The Acadis portal will not only allow for course registration and will be where students will now take exams (in a classroom setting through the online portal; no more hand-written tests or Scantron forms), it will also be where you can get ALL records and certificates-- past and present. All historical records and certificates have been uploaded into the system so each individual can access their complete records history remotely and print records including copies of past certifications and trainings.  

So how do you get started? First, use the link below to access the Acadis Portal. There, follow the step by step instructions to create your account. Once your account is created and activated, the system will work to link all of your prior records to your account for easy access going forward.

What's next? In the near future, all class and examination events will be viewable and searchable from the Acadis portal and that is where you will be registering for any courses and going to take final exams. We'll let you know when these features are up and running.

Please help us spread the word with any and all past, present and future FETA students so this next step toward efficiency can benefit every individual it can.

Thank you!

 

NOTICE: 

Certification testing for the following levels are currently not available to challenge: 

  • Live Fire Instructor
  • Live Fire Instructor In Charge
  • Fire Investigator
  • Fire Officer 4
  • Rope Rescue Awareness
  • Rope Rescue Operations
  • Rope Rescue Technician

These levels have recently been updated to the newest NFPA edition to retain compliance with accreditation. As a result, these levels are NOT available to challenge. To qualify for written testing, candidates must attend an approved program and undergo skill examination by approved evaluators.

This process is not intended to force everyone to a LaFETA course but rather to ensure the curriculum is sufficient to prepare candidates for certification testing. These levels contain a significant emphasis on skill development during the training process to prepare the candidate for skill examination. Once the curriculum has completed the pilot phase, they will be available for handoff to entities on a case-by-case basis. While the handoff program is still being developed, the rough outline will include mentoring and approval for each instructor and evaluator by those involved in the pilot phase. This is done to ensure consistency in the curriculum and skill evaluation. 

LaFETA staff are working with local jurisdictions to implement the handoff of the curriculum listed above. 

If you are interested in conducting one of the Programs listed above, please contact the Certification Office.

New state certification level

Initial Fire Investigation is a new state-level created to meet the need of the on-scene officer to begin a fire investigation. This level meets portions of the NFPA 1031 2022 ed. but is not as in-depth as Fire Investigator. 

We recommend jurisdictions with Fire Investigator as part of a career development plan for members who do not have the primary responsibility for completing a fire investigation consider moving to the Initial Fire Investigation level in their career development plan.  

An outline for the Initial Fire Investigation program should be available soon.

Certifications Offered

To view details for one of the certifications we offer, click on a title below:

 

Certification Title
Requires attendance of an approved course
Requires attendance of an approved course

Live Fire Instructor

Requires attendance of an approved course

Live Fire Instructor In Charge

Requires attendance of an approved course

Public Fire Educator I

Public Fire Educator II

Rope Rescue Awareness, Operations, & Technician Levels

Requires attendance of an approved course

Telecommunicator I

Telecommunicator II

 

Testing Process

The Testing Candidate

Each candidate for certification will be one of the following:

  • A member of a Louisiana fire department
  • A member of some other Louisiana emergency responder organization
  • A member of an industrial corporation that has been approved for certification
  • An individual or out of state personnel taking a class at the OSFM Fire and Emergency Training Academy

In all cases, a  Test Request Form will need to be completed and submitted. Candidates for certification must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. Identification and age are verified with a photographed ID (driver's license). The fire chief/administrator, training officer, or pre-approved designate of the department/organization recommends the candidate for examination. No individual or out of state personnel will be examined unless he/she is taking a class at the OSFM Fire and Emergency Training Academy.


Filling Out the Form

The  Test Request Form is a fillable, PFD form that allows for entering information by computer. The form has capabilities to automatically attach the completed form to email application or the form can be printed for scanning and emailing or for submitting hard-copies via fax or mail.

The fire chief or administrator of the department recommends the candidate for examination and will need to fill out the information on the test request form pertaining to them. The candidate can view the Certification Testing Schedule to decide on a time and location that is convenient for them. The candidate can take any test at any one of the test sites as long as the specific test requirements are met. The requirements for each specific examination can be found by clicking on the chosen examination listed in the list of available exams. Pre-registration is required and must be completed by the deadline listed. Walk-in registration at the test site will not be accepted.

Any candidate that does not show up for the examination, the department or organization will be subject to the charge. In order to avoid charges, test candidate cancellations must be made twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled test time.

Once the  Test Request Form completed, it must be submitted to the Louisiana Firefighter and Emergency Responder Certification Program. The complete form should be sent via email, fax, or mail within seven (7) days prior to the examination date chosen.

  • Email: fetacert@la.gov
  • Phone: (225) 251-6417
  • Fax: (225) 765-5050
  • Mail:
    Fire and Emergency Training Academy Certification Program
    6868 Nicholson Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70820

Costs & Fees

Non-supported Louisiana Fire Department Members/Industrial/Individual Fees:

The fee for candidates that are not a member of a Louisiana Fire department supported by the 2% Fire Insurance Fund is $80.00 and must be paid prior to or on the day of the examination, unless other arrangement have been approved by the Manager of Certification. Allowed payment options include purchase order, credit card, money order, or check.

Supported Louisiana Fire Department Members:

Candidates that are a member of a Louisiana Fire department supported by the 2% Fire Insurance Fund, the costs are as follows:

  • $20/exam for Hazmat Awareness, Hazmat Operations, Firefighter I, and Firefighter II
  • $35/exam for all other examinations
  • These examination charges will be invoiced to the candidate’s department, unless other arrangements for payment are made

Steps to Receiving Confirmation Notice for Testing:

A candidate for certification must meet the prerequisite requirements as outlined by NFPA Professional Qualifications and the Louisiana Firefighter Certification Program for the certification level requested. The requirements for each specific examination can be found by clicking on the chosen examination listed in the Certifications Offered listing. After the Certification program receives a valid candidate's test request form, the request is then processed for approval. Upon completion of the processing, a confirmation notice is sent electronically to the fire chief, training officer, or pre-determined designate, not to the candidate. This confirmation letter will include details regarding any prerequisite information that is still needed prior to the candidate taking the exam.


General Testing Information

Grading and Results:

The completed examinations will be scored in a timely fashion, with the unofficial results being emailed within seven (7) days of the exam date and official results mailed within thirty (30) days. No telephone or fax requests for results, (including pass or fail), shall be granted.

Probation Period:

Candidates failing two (2) cognitive (written) or manipulative (practical) examinations in a one hundred eighty (180) day period will be denied testing for ninety (90) days.

Skills Evaluation Expiration:

The manipulative skills evaluations expire in one hundred eighty (180) days. If the evaluation expires or if the candidate is placed on probation for two fails, a new skills evaluation for that level is required.

Examination Time Limits:

Examination times may vary, but the maximum amount of time for all written examinations is no more than two (2) hours, unless approved accommodations are applied.


Disability Accommodations

Individuals with disabilities may have different types of limitations that affect their abilities to take tests. The Americans with Disabilities Act (as amended) (ADAA) and the Rehabilitation Act ensure that individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to have equal and fair access. This equal and fair access is accomplished through reasonable testing accommodations at the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Academy. Requests for accommodations will be considered on a case by case basis once adequate contemporary documentation of the disability and need for the specific accommodations requested have been provided. Accommodations which would alter essential elements of a particular program, included but not limited to reading and passing written examinations, will not be granted. To request the accommodations paperwork and process, please email us at fetacert@la.gov.

Testing Accommodations:

Please read the OSFM-FETA MEMORANDUM - Request for Testing Accommodation Guidelines for details.

Dishonesty:

Dishonesty of any kind with respect to examinations, alterations of records, or attempts to use the mail to obtain certification will not be tolerated. Examinations must represent the student's own work and must be completed in the presence of an approved Lead Evaluator without the assistance of books, notes, devices, or outside help, unless specified otherwise in the examination directions. Candidates who give information to a dishonest candidate will be considered as culpable as the candidate being assisted.

Electronic Devices:

No electronic devices are permitted during an examination. This includes but is not limited to cell phones, pagers, smart watches, radios, etc.

The Louisiana Firefighter and Emergency Responder Certification Program is a voluntary program.

 

 

Certification Testing Schedule

If you are interested in becoming a valid test site, please send an e-mail to the certification office at fetacert@la.gov. This process involves conducting a site visit of the requested facility so please make sure you are making the request in a timely manner if it coincides with a specific course you are teaching.

Once your test site has been approved and you have received the Certification testing site approval letter, actual test dates can be requested 30 days in advance. Not all test dates are guaranteed. Test dates will be granted based on location, proctor availability, Certification schedule, and quantity of test sites already scheduled during the request time frame.

To register to take an exam. at one of the test dates listed below, a  Test Request Form must be submitted on or before the “Request By Date” listed below. Test requests must be completely filled out. Test requests received after the “Request By Date” will not be accepted. These dates are put in place to ensure that enough time is available to process, prepare, and send the testing materials to the proctor.

Please note that if the level you are requesting requires a practical and/or proof of First Aid/CPR, these documents must be verified one business day prior to the exam date. If the required prerequisite documentation is not verified on time, the tester will no longer be allowed to test. If you are unsure what the prerequisites for a certain level are, view the certification requirements in the Certifications Offered listing.

All events labeled OPEN TEST are open enrollment and test requests may be submitted for these events.

Any event not labeled OPEN TEST are part of a class and enrollment is limited to those attending the class. Please do not submit a test request for those not labeled OPEN TEST unless you are enrolled in the class. 

You may click on any of the dates below for further details on the event as well as a map to the location.

 

Secure Testing Portal     -- Requires Proctor Login Credentials

Louisiana Fire & Emergency Training Academy
6868 Nicholson Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70820
Phone: (225)-372-6944