Get Certified

Rescue Technician-Rope

Interested in enhancing your emergency response skill set? Pursue a Rescue Technician – Rope certification to grow your hazardous response and equipment management skills.

image of firefighter hugging a child

1. Complete prerequisites

  • 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 application.
  • CPR and Emergency Medical Services Training 
    Must complete an approved CPR course and medical care training course (or hold a current EMS certification).
  • Level I & II Technician Prerequisite (General CORE Requirements)
    To certify as a Rope Rescue Technician, the candidate must be certified at the General Requirements level. Any of the following are acceptable proof of meeting the CORE requirement:

    a) Certification Certificate (state or training agency issued Pro-Board or IFSAC).
    b) Official transcript from an approved training agency showing successful completion of certification.
    c) Rescue Technician national certification (IFSAC or Pro Board) within a specialty area (e.g., vehicle, rope, trench, etc.). Level II Technician Prerequisite Technician Level I Certification: The candidate must be certified at the Rope Rescue Technician I level and meet all other requirements. Attach a copy of the certification.

See the Rescue Technician-Rope Candidate Handbook (PDF) for details about which certifications and training courses are accepted. Prerequisites are listed on Pages 3 to 5.

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 Rescue Technician-General 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 Rescue Technician-Rope exam dates, by application deadline
 
Exam Site Application Deadline Written Exam Skill Exam Email Your Application To:
Centre County Public Safety Training Center Sep. 23, 2024 Oct. 13, 2024 Oct. 13, 2024 Mark Keller
mkeller@cpi.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 an Rescue Technician-Rope 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 Rescue Technician-Rope certified. 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.