Get Certified

Firefighter II

Already certified as a Firefighter I? Pursue an advanced Firefighter II Certification to grow your preparedness, structural fire control, and rescue operation skills.

Two firefighters look out of a window.

1. Complete prerequisites

  • Incident Command System Course
    Must show proof of completing an approved course on the Incident Command System. 

  • Firefighter I Certification 
    Must be certified at a Firefighter I level. 

  • Hazardous Materials Operations Training or Certification
    Must show proof of a completed hazardous materials operations training or certificate within one year of the date of applying to get certified as a Firefighter I. 

  • Vehicle Rescue Operations 
    Must have completed an approved vehicle rescue course/certification. 

  • Fire Department Communications
    Must attach a copy of a properly completed incident report of an actual incident using the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) format and criteria. 

  • Fire Prevention, Preparedness, and Maintenance
    Must provide a residential fire safety survey and commercial pre-incident survey. 

See the Firefighter II Candidate Handbook (PDF) for details about which certifications, training courses, and document formats are accepted. Prerequisites are listed on Pages 3 to 4.

2. Fill out an application

First, you will need a FEMA Student Identification Number to apply. Find your FEMA student ID or register for one

Next, download, digitally complete, and save the Firefighter II application (PDF).

3. Select when and where you will take your tests

Use this map or the Acadis portal to find a testing site. Open dates for certification exams and application deadlines are below.

Upcoming open Firefighter II exam dates, by application deadline
 
Exam Site Application Deadline Written Exam Skill Exam Email Your Application To:
Perry Hi-Way Hose Co. Sept. 6, 2024 Sept. 20, 2024 Sept. 21, 2024 Kip Hayford, khayford42@gmail.com
Tri-County Fire School Sept. 14, 2024 Sept. 28, 2024 Sept. 28, 2024 Jeff Kuleck, mckeanfirecerts@gmail.com
Cambria County Fire School Sept. 14, 2024 Oct. 5, 2024 Oct. 5, 2024 Frank Hribar, firechief82@gmail.com
Butler County Community College Sept. 14, 2024 Oct. 6, 2024 Oct. 6, 2024 Jason Bragunier, jason.bragunier@bc3.edu
Somerset County Fire School Sept. 20, 2024 Oct. 11, 2024 Oct. 12, 2024 Jim Leer, jaleer@comcast.net
Chester County Emergency Services Training Sept. 25, 2024 Oct. 16, 2024 Oct. 20, 2024 Maureen McCormick, firecert@chesco.org
Harrisburg Area Community College Oct. 6, 2024 Oct. 27, 2024 Oct. 27, 2024 Tina Cook, tmcook@hacc.edu
Indiana County Public Safety Training Academy Oct. 18, 2024 Nov. 9, 2024 Nov. 9, 2024 Thomas Stutzman, ispsa@indianacounty.org
Harrisburg Area Community College Oct. 24, 2024 Nov. 14, 2024 Nov. 21, 2024 Tina Cook, tmcook@hacc.edu
Harrisburg Area Community College Nov. 16, 2024 Dec. 7, 2024 Dec. 7, 2024 Tina Cook, tmcook@hacc.edu
Westmoreland County Public Safety Training Center Dec. 6, 2024 Dec. 20, 2024 Dec. 21, 2024 Mark Jackson, jacksonmarc@westmoreland.edu

 

Can’t find what you need? Your preferred testing site may add more dates throughout the year. Contact them for more information.

▶  Download a PDF version of the certifications exam schedule.

4. Send completed application

Applications must be submitted to your preferred testing site by the deadline they have listed, or by three weeks before the test date.

A firefighter carries a child who is holding a stuffed bunny.

Skills we're looking for

Here's what we test for in a Firefighter II skill exam.

5. Take written and skills tests

After you have an approved application, your written and skills tests will be on the dates and locations listed by your testing site. Contact them with questions or for assistance.

Once you pass both tests, you will be certified as a Firefighter II. Congratulations!

Get help

If at any point you need help with the certification process, contact the coordinator listed as the contact for your testing site. You can get help with general questions about the certification process by emailing us at ra-empsfacertprogram@pa.gov, or by calling us at 717-248-1115.