Continuing Education Requirements 

The information below outlines and provides direction on the continuing education
requirements and submittal process for the following certificates or certifications:

• VDFP issued NFPA 1031 Fire Inspection II
• VDFP issued NFPA 1033 Fire Investigator
• VDFP issued Fire Investigators with Law Enforcement Powers
• DHCD issued Fire Prevention Inspection

Please refer to this information when determining the continuing education requirements for the
specific certificate(s) you hold. Pay particular attention to the records management and/or
submittal process for each certificate as they may differ from each other.

NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector II 

Compliance

VDFP, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), has the authority to design, establish and maintain the required courses of instruction.

Maintenance

Continuing education requirements shall be tracked, documented, and maintained by the individual and the AHJ. Furthermore, documented compliance with the continuing education requirements should be uploaded within the Cornerstone on Demand for individual record
retention, which is available for viewing through each user profile.

A minimum of 16 hours of continuing education shall be obtained every 24 months.

Courses must be approved by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) Virginia Fire Marshal Academy (VFMA) using the following process: 

1. Complete the online Continuing Education Request Form.
2. The VFMA will assign a Cornerstone on Demand Session (CSOD) Number and respond
to you via email within three business days.
3. Upon completion of the course, email the completed roster and any additional
documentation to the VFMA (FMA@vdfp.virginia.gov).
NOTE: The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) nor the VA Building Code Academy (VBCA) collects or maintains training records required for 1031. If you do not hold a DHCD issued certification do not send your 1031 hours to DHCD.

NFPA 1033 Fire Investigator Certificate

Compliance

VDFP, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), has the authority to design, establish and maintain the required courses of instruction.

Maintenance

A minimum of 40 hours of continuing education shall be obtained every 24 months from the date of certification. Continuing education requirements shall be tracked, documented, and maintained by the individual and the AHJ. Furthermore, documented compliance with the
continuing education requirements should be uploaded within the Cornerstone on Demand for individual record retention, which is available for viewing through each user profile.

Accordingly, NFPA 1033 mandates that the fire investigator remain current in a variety of subject areas, including, but not limited to:

  • Acts of the Virginia General Assembly/ Legal Update
  • Laws of Arrest
  • Juvenile/Domestic Relations
  • Search and Seizure
  • Evidence Collection/Storage
  • Fire Science
  • Fire Chemistry
  • Thermodynamics/Thermometry
  • Fire Dynamics/Modeling
  • Explosion Dynamics
  • Fire Investigation Methodology
  • Fire Analysis
  • Hazardous Materials

Additional topics are available to localities to meet or exceed the minimum requirements. Courses must be approved by the VDFP VFMA using the following process:

  1. Complete the online Continuing Education Request Form.
  2. The VFMA will assign a Cornerstone on Demand Session (CSOD) Number and respond to you via email within three business days.
  3. Upon completion of the course, email the completed roster and any additional documentation to the VFMA (FMA@vdfp.virginia.gov).

Reciprocity

The VDFP will continue to assist agencies with obtaining reciprocity for individuals that have PROBOARD or IFSAC Fire Inspector and/or Fire Investigator certifications. Refer to the VDFP reciprocity policy.

Fire Investigators with Law Enforcement Powers

Compliance & Maintenance

Firearms qualification and requalification requirements shall be established by the AHJ and, after qualification through the VFMA, requalification should be consistent with DCJS requirements. A minimum of 40 hours of continuing education shall be obtained every 24 months from the date of
certification that meets or exceeds the 6VAC20-30-30 compulsory in-service training standards.

Reciprocity

The AHJ has the authority to determine reciprocity requirements and standards.

Reference Legislation

27-34.2. Power to arrest, to procure and serve warrants and to issue summons; limitation on authority.

27-34.2:1. Police powers of fire marshals.

DHCD Issued Fire Prevention Inspector Certification

Compliance

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) requires continuing education (CE) as a component of maintaining compliance with state regulations and VA Certification Standard relative for all DHCD issued certifications including the DHCD issued Fire Prevention Inspector certification. All regulatory requirements, compliance, and verification are conducted by the Jack A. Proctor Virginia Building Code Academy (VBCA).

Maintenance

Compliance for adhering to continuing education requirements shall be tracked, documented, and maintained by the individual. Furthermore, documented compliance with the continuing education requirements must be submitted, per the DHCD Continuing Education Policy, through the VBCA Online Registration System which houses all training and certification records relative to DHCD certifications only.

A minimum of 16 hours of continuing education shall be obtained every two years, in accordance with DHCD Continuing Education Policy. Refer to the “Acceptable Programs, Courses, and Activities” section for further guidance.

NOTE: The DHCD continuing education requirement is separate from the 1031 continuing education and ONLY applies if you hold the DHCD issued certificate.
NOTE: Neither the DHCD or VBCA tracks or maintains continuing education records specifically required for 1031. The only cross over is that the DHCD certificate holder may use training hours collected for 1031 compliance towards the DHCD requirement as well.

  1. Log into the VBCA Online Registration System user profile to access the electronic CE application.  
  2. Complete the DHCD Continuing Education Application for Certified Code Officials and Technical Assistants form and follow submission instructions.
  3. All training hours are due May 1 of either the even or odd year based on certificate holder’s last name. Refer to the DHCD Continuing Education Policy for additional information.

For questions or assistance with submitting continuing education hours required for the DHCD issued Fire Prevention Inspector certification contact the VBCA office at vbca@dhcd.virginia.gov.