IAAI-FIT® (Fire Investigation Technician)

The IAAI Fire Investigation Technician Program verifies an applicant's fundamental knowledge as measured against core job performance requirements of the established professional qualification standards for fire investigators defined in NFPA 1021, NFPA 1033 and NFPA 1037. The IAAI-FIT® program encourages educational and professional development through recognition of an individual’s accomplishments in developing core abilities and competencies related to fire investigation.

The IAAI-FIT® designation must be renewed every five years.

For information on IAAI-FIT®, call 800-468-4224 or email at IAAI-FIT@firearson.com.

Questions?

Why earn the IAAI-FIT® designation?

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.

How do I become an IAAI-FIT®?

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 an Employment Letter Sample.
Have completed a minimum of 54 hours of tested training.
Provide documentation of meeting minimum requirements including experience, training, and education.
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 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.

I already hold the IAAI-FIT® designation and need to renew. What do I do?

Purchase the IAAI-FIT® Renewal Application. You will receive two emails: a receipt with a payment number, and a second email with a link to the online application to upload your documentation. If you are not an IAAI member, you may obtain the member rate for recertification by joining IAAI prior to returning the Recertification Application.

Recertification 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.

After paying the application fee, you will be required to submit your application, including all supporting documentation. IAAI-FIT® renewal applicants are not required to retake the exam.