Ohio Admin. Code 4765-20-16 - Firefighter, fire safety inspector, or hazard recognition officer certification cycles and continuing education requirements

(A) This rule shall apply to individuals applying for initial certification and certification through reciprocity or reinstatement of a firefighter, fire safety inspector, or hazard recognition officer certificate.

(B) A firefighter certificate shall expire on the individual's date of birth in the third year, except as provided in paragraph (C) of this rule. In order to be eligible to renew the firefighter certificate, the individual shall complete continuing education, in accordance with rule 4765-20-11 of the Administrative Code, for a reduced amount of hours according to the length of the certification cycle.

(C) A firefighter certificate issued to an individual who also holds a current EMS provider certificate to practice, as defined in rule 4765-1-01 of the Administrative Code, shall expire on the same date as the EMS provider's certificate to practice. In order to be eligible to renew the firefighter certificate, the individual shall complete continuing education, in accordance with rule 4765-20-11 of the Administrative Code, for the following reduced hours and certification cycle:

(1) Less than twelve months, no continuing education is required;

(2) Twelve months but less than twenty-four months, eighteen twelve hours of continuing education is required;

(3) Twenty-four months but less than thirty-six months, thirty-six twenty-four hours of continuing education is required;

(4) Thirty-six months or more, fifty-four thirty-six hours of continuing education is required.

(D) Except as provided in paragraph (E) of this rule, a fire safety inspector certificate shall expire on the same date as the individual's firefighter certification, or on the individual's date of birth in the third year if the individual does not possess a current firefighter certificate. In order to be eligible to renew the fire safety inspector certificate, the individual shall complete continuing education, in accordance with rule 4765-20-12 of the Administrative Code, for a reduced amount of hours according to the length of the certification cycle.

(E) A fire safety inspector certificate issued to an individual who also holds a current EMS provider certificate to practice, but does not hold a firefighter certificate, shall expire on the same date as the EMS provider's certificate to practice. In order to be eligible to renew the fire safety inspector certificate, the individual shall complete continuing education, in accordance with rule 4765-20-12 of the Administrative Code, for the following reduced hours and certification cycle:

(1) Less than twelve months, no continuing education is required;

(2) Twelve months but less than twenty-four months, eight hours of continuing education is required;

(3) Twenty-four months but less than thirty-six months, sixteen hours of continuing education is required;

(4) Thirty-six months or more, twenty-four hours of continuing education is required.

(F) A hazard recognition officer certificate shall expire on the same date as the individual's firefighter certification, or on the individual's date of birth in the third year if the individual does not possess a current firefighter certificate. In order to be eligible to renew the hazard recognition officer certificate, the individual shall complete continuing education, in accordance with rule 4765-20-12 of the Administrative Code, for a reduced amount of hours according to the length of the certification cycle.

(1) Less than twelve months, no continuing education is required;

(2) Twelve months but less than twenty-four months, two hours of continuing education is required;

(3) Twenty-four months but less than thirty-six months, four hours of continuing education is required;

(4) Thirty-six months or more, six hours of continuing education is required.

(G) Once a mutual expiration date is established for all EMS and fire certificates, all certificates will be issued a three-year certification cycle and shall expire on the individual's date of birth in the third year.

(H) Once a mutual expiration date is established for all EMS and fire certificates, the expiration date will not be changed and any newly obtained certificate will be assigned the current expiration date in accordance with this rule and a shortened certification cycle for the newly issued certificate.

Notes

Ohio Admin. Code 4765-20-16

Effective: 7/7/2024
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 10/26/2023 and 10/01/2028
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4765.55
Rule Amplifies: 4765.55
Prior Effective Dates: 01/01/2011, 04/07/2014, 01/01/2018, 04/01/2019