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2. Courses that include a written exam and/or practical evaluation require a passing test score for award of
certificates. Students who complete the course with an overall average of 70 percent or higher and satisfactorily
complete all physical and practical exercises will receive a certificate indicating successful completion.
Instructor Orientation Workshops (IOWs) have their own specific requirements as outlined in the
Public Fire Service Curriculum Catalog. The 1151 course has specific requirements as outlined in AG-005.
3. Student certificates will be mailed once course fees are paid. If a student does receive a certificate and the
course fee is not paid within 120 days of the billing date, the certificate will be revoked and course credit
removed from the student’s transcript. Once the bill is paid, an additional $5 administrative fee must be
paid before the course credit will be returned to the student’s transcript. Certificates are mailed within 30
days after the course fee is paid.
4. Students who receive an “Incomplete” grade for a training course must complete the course requirements
within 180 days of the course end date in order to receive course credit. Otherwise, the grade will become
a “Not Complete,” (NC), and the student will be required to repeat the entire program to receive
credit.
5. Students who fail any type of written or practical skill test required for successful course credit are eligible
to apply for retesting. Such retesting must be completed after at least 30 days from the original test date,
no later than 180 days from the original test date.
6. The 30 day wait period may be waived for tests conducted within a course delivery when such a delay
could adversely affect a student’s ability to continue in a course. A student in a recruit school is an example
of the above. Any retest under these circumstances is conducted at a time convenient with the course
schedule but before the end of the course.
If you have a question about a certificate, call (803) 896-9857. If a student fails to receive a certificate within
30 days of the course fee being paid, the SCFA will mail the student a duplicate certificate at no charge providing
the request is received within 90 days of the course fee being paid. Requests for duplicate certificates
received after the 90 days will require a $5 per certificate administrative fee.
To assist in the correct delivery of awards, students should accurately complete all sections, including the mailing
address, of the registration form. The address on this form will be used for mailing and is the method by
which students are contacted.
5.7 Equivalency/Reciprocity
The SCFA offers equivalency in certain occupational areas for certifications achieved through other fire training
agencies. This program is available only to current, active members of South Carolina fire departments. To
be eligible for equivalency, the certification must be in one of the 16 accredited occupational levels offered by
the SCFA.
1. Equivalency - The awarding of program credit (e.g. Firefighter I) to individuals certified or trained at an
occupational level to a national standard by an entity not accredited by IFSAC. In order to receive transcript
credit and certification to one of these levels, an applicant, upon approval by the Certification and
Accreditation Supervisor, must challenge the written examination for that level. In some cases skills testing
may also be required. The SCFA does not offer equivalency at the course or subject level.
2. Reciprocity - The awarding of certification, without any required testing, to those individuals who have
been certified at an occupational level by an IFSAC accredited entity. The certification must be in one of
the occupational levels offered by the SCFA. If eligible for reciprocity/equivalency consideration, contact
the Certification and Accreditation supervisor at (803) 896-9881 for more information. Be prepared to
provide the following information:
1. Letter from issuing fire training agency that states its training meets the
applicable national standard and how the course was evaluated in detail.
2. Attendance documentation to verify attendedance at least 80 percent of the course.
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www.scfa.state.sc.us