Get Certified

Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue

Interested in enhancing your emergency response skillset? Pursue a Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue certification to grow your awareness, operations, and technician-level skills.

a firefighter sits on a truck while holding a hose

1. Complete prerequisites
 
Awareness 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 application
  • CPR and Emergency Medical Services Training – Must complete an approved CPR course and medical care training course (or hold a current EMS certification)
  • Traffic Incident Management Training or Certification 


Operations 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 application
  • CPR and Emergency Medical Services Training – Must complete an approved CPR course and medical care training course (or hold a current EMS certification)
  • Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue Awareness Level

 

Technician Level

  • Technician Level Certification – the candidate must be certified at the Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue Operations level (2021 edition)
  • ·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)

See the Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue Candidate Handbook (PDF) for details about which certifications and training courses are accepted.            Prerequisites are listed on Pages 4 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 Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue application (PDF).

3. Select when and where you will take your tests

This map above has available testing sites.

Log into the Learning Management System portal to search and register for upcoming certification dates.

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

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.

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 Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue 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.