Fire Officer Certification

MFSI has a history of providing Pro Board accredited certification testing, including Fire Officer I&II.  This training and certification is the basis of all future fire officer certification programs.  No fire officer shall attain higher fire officer State certification without first completing prerequisites and at least an approved Fire Officer I course.

Update: MFSI has removed the option to request Instructor & Officer courses. In its place, MFSI is implementing an annual schedule for the next few years that seeks to meet statewide needs. 


Fire Officer I Prerequisites

➢IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS – 100 NFPA 1021 4.1 – 4.1.1
➢IS-200.C Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 NFPA 1021 4.1 – 4.1.1
➢Firefighter II Certification (Pro Board or Valid Non-Pro Board) NFPA 1021 4.1
➢Fire Instructor I Certification (Pro Board or Valid Non-Pro Board) NFPA 1021 4.1
➢Five (5) years of fire service experience, documented by Fire Chief. Alternatively, based on comparable training and education in similar discipline or prior supervision or managerial experience.
➢Authority – MFSI Advisory Committee/MFSI Certification Division NOTE: MFSI Administration reserves the right to waive these prerequisites. 

Fire Officer II Prerequisites

➢Fire Officer I Certification (Pro Board or Valid Non-Pro Board) NFPA 1021 5.1
➢Authority – MFSI Advisory Committee/MFSI Admin/Certification Division NOTE: MFSI Administration reserves the right to waive these prerequisites.

Fire Officer Course Requirements

  • Courses must be taught by an instructor who is approved by MFSI. The Lead Course Instructor must hold a current Certified Fire Fighter I & II and must hold a Fire Instructor I & II certificate (or higher) and Fire Officer I & II.  The Lead Instructor is responsible for scheduling and any other certified instructors and record keeping for the course.  Assisting Instructors must meet the same requirements as the Lead Instructor.
  • Fire Service Officer courses will be delivered by approved institutions and organizations meeting the guidelines of MFSI.
  • The course content will meet the appropriate objectives outlined in NFPA 1021 latest standard.
  • Training records for the course shall be maintained by MFSI and the Lead Instructor and all must be completed, including presentations prior to taking either the written.
  • All qualifications must be met and documentation supplied to Maine Fire Service Institute (MFSI) prior to admission to any examinations.
  • Certification is granted to those individuals who meet the required qualifications and successfully pass the certification examinations.
  • MFSI is currently working on a request for proposal for a Fire Officer III program for 2024/2025.  More information will be coming out in the future.  

Certification Exams and Skills Tests

Applicants have one year from the time of course completion to finish the certification process.  Learn more about the Exams and Skills Tests here.

Anyone desiring to participate in certification testing needs to ensure that their program coordinator has progress charts accompanied by a Training Completion Affidavit submitted to the Certification and Curriculum Manager no later than 2 weeks prior to the scheduled written or skills examination.  Walk-ons are not permitted.

Required Curriculum

MFSI uses Jones & Bartlett Curriculum for all Fire Officer I & II Programs.  Contact Jones & Bartlett for purchases.