Rule 4765-20-02 | Qualifications for a firefighter certificate.
[Comment: For dates and availability of material incorporated by reference in this rule see rule 4765-25-02 of the Administrative Code.]
(A) An applicant for a volunteer firefighter certificate shall satisfy all the requirements listed in the "Volunteer Firefighter Course Packet" to be eligible for certification, including the following:
(1) Pass the practical skills examination as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code prior to being eligible to sit for the knowledge examination;
(2) Pass the knowledge examination as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code within one hundred eighty days of volunteer firefighter training course completion prior to submission of a completed "Firefighter, Fire Safety Inspector, or Hazard Recognition Officer Initial Application;"
(3) Submit a completed "Firefighter, Fire Safety Inspector, or Hazard Recognition Officer Initial Application" within ninety days of passing the knowledge examination.
(B) An applicant for a firefighter I or firefighter II certificate shall satisfy all of the requirements listed in the corresponding course packet on the division website to be eligible for certification, including the following:
(1) Pass the practical skills examination as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code prior to being eligible to sit for the knowledge examination;
(2) Pass the knowledge examination as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code within one hundred eighty days of firefighter I or firefighter II training course completion, prior to submission of a completed "Firefighter, Fire Safety Inspector, or Hazard Recognition Officer Initial Application";
(3) Submit a completed "Firefighter, Fire Safety Inspector, or Hazard Recognition Officer Initial Application" within ninety days of passing the knowledge examination.
(C) In addition to the requirements set forth in paragraphs (A) to (B) of this rule, as applicable, an applicant for firefighter:
(1) For initial certification, shall pass a criminal history review.
(2) For certificate renewal and reinstatement, the applicant shall not have been convicted of the following:
(a) Any felony;
(b) A misdemeanor committed in the course of practice;
(c) A misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
(3) 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.
(4) Shall not have been previously revoked or denied a certificate by the executive director or the licensing organization in another state.
(D) 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 (A) to (C) of this rule, as applicable;
(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 (A) to (C) 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 (A) to (B) of this rule, as applicable, but fails to meet one or more of the requirements listed in paragraph (C) of this rule.
(E) Credit shall be given for successful completion of the emergency vehicle operations course if all of the following are met:
(1) The training is recognized by the program director of a chartered program; and
(2) The training is consistent with the course requirements set forth in the "Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Packet."
(F) Credit may be given for successful completion of hazardous materials awareness and operations level training if all of the following are met:
(1) The training is recognized by the program director of a chartered program; and
(2) The training is consistent with the course requirements set forth in the "Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations Course Packet."
(G) Credit shall be given for successful completion of hazardous materials awareness and operations level training specified in paragraph (B) of this rule if the training was completed as part of an Ohio firefighter I training course.
(H) Credit shall be given for successful completion of emergency medical care training that includes healthcare provider cardio pulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid. State certification at any EMS provider level meets this requirement.
(I) No person shall hold a firefighter certificate at more than one level.
(J) A firefighter 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 July 8, 2024 at 9:02 AM
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