IAAI-FIT® (Fire Investigation Technician)

Designation as an IAAI-FIT® has many advantages, including:

• Acknowledgement by an independent body that the individual has demonstrated competence on the applicable professional qualification standards.
• Recognition by an independent body that the individual possesses fundamental knowledge required by the applicable professional qualification standards.
• Demonstration, through the recertification process, that the individual is keeping current with their training and professional knowledge development.
• Measurement of these achievements using a standardized mechanism, as set by the IAAI-FIT® Committee.

To become an IAAI-FIT®, the applicant must:

• Have a minimum of 18 months of general experience in a fire investigation-related agency or industry. View Employment Letter Requirements Checklist.
• Have completed a minimum of 54 hours of tested training. 

  • Please provide information regarding the training courses that you are submitting in support of your application for the Fire Investigation Technician Program. Total hours must reach a minimum of 54 tested training hours. (Up to 10% of the requirement may be untested). CFITrainer Multi-Program Modules are not acceptable as a substitute for the Fundamental Fire Investigation Course. 

• Provide documentation of meeting minimum requirements including experience, training, and education. Supporting documentation can either be contained in a transcript or on a course certificate. All documentation will be subject to approval. Additional pages may be attached if necessary.
• Pass a comprehensive examination with a score of 70% or above once the application has been approved. The examination is administered online through CFITrainer.net. You will have two attempts within 90 days to pass the 50 question selected response exam.
• Access a Sample Application for review only.

The minimum 54 hours of tested training must be comprised of the following required CFItrainer.net® modules:

• CFITrainer.Net® - Documenting the Event (4 hours)
• CFITrainer.Net® - Ethics and the Fire Investigator (3 hours)
• CFITrainer.Net® - NFPA 1033 and Your Career (2 Hours)
• CFITrainer.Net® - The Practical Application of the Relationship Between NFPA 1033 and NFPA 921 (2 hours)
• CFITrainer.Net® - The Scientific Method for Fire and Explosion Investigation (3 hours)
• Complete an IAAI Fundamentals of Fire Investigation Course, or other Approved Comprehensive Fundamental Fire Investigations Course (40 hours)

To obtain the Member discount rate, please login to your www.firearson.com account. A non-Member may choose to join IAAI prior to filing the IAAI-FIT® application. Once you have submitted the application, it will be reviewed by the IAAI-FIT® Committee. If the application is approved, you will then be provided with instructions on how to take the examination. If the application is not approved, you will be advised of the appeals process. For detailed information on the full process of the IAAI-FIT® program, please read the 2025 IAAI Certifications Manual.

Click to purchase the IAAI-FIT® Renewal Application. After paying the application fee, you will receive two emails that will contain a receipt with a payment number, and a link to the online application to upload your supporting documentation.  Both steps must be completed for your application to be considered. IAAI-FIT® renewal applicants are not required to retake the exam.

Renewal requirements include fulfillment of the following during the preceding 5 years: 

• 36 months of additional general work experience, including a letter of employment (see Employment Letter Requirements Checklist)
• 80 hours of fire-investigation related training & education, up to 10% may be untested

Renewal Applications should be submitted at least 30 days, but no more than 6 months, prior to your IAAI-FIT® certification expiration date. Application fee is non-refundable.

Individuals who have allowed this professional designation to lapse or expire may have their FIT certification status reinstated without having to retake the exam by submitting a renewal application with supporting documentation demonstrating that they meet the minimum program renewal requirements within 90 days of their certification expiry date. Candidates who fail to submit a recertification application within this time frame will lose their IAAI-FIT status and shall reapply and pay the associated application fee, and retest as a new candidate.

If you are not an IAAI member, you may obtain the member rate for recertification by joining IAAI prior to returning the Renewal Application.

If you are renewing your IAAI-FIT, and also hold one or more credential endorsements (V) or (M), you must use the IAAI-FIT Renewal with Endorsements application, and pay the associated fee. 

If you are renewing your IAAI-FIT, and also hold one or more credential endorsements (V) or (M), you must use the IAAI-FIT Renewal with Endorsements application, and pay the associated fee. 

In order to qualify for renewal of both your IAAI-FIT and any associated endorsements, you must met the minimum requirements for the FIT renewal and provide an employment verification letter that confirms you have been actively participating in the investigation of motor vehicle and/or marine fires as part of your job duties.

Note regarding tested training hours required for renewal:

If your FIT expires in 2025 or 2026, a minimum of 48 tested training hours is acceptable for renewal. 

If your FIT expires in 2027, a minimum of 64 tested training hours is acceptable for renewal. 

If your FIT expires in 2028, 80+ tested training hours are required for renewal. 

Once your application for renewal is approved, your FIT will be due for renewal again in 5 years, and will require the full 80 hours of tested training.