IAAI Announces Significant Updates To Its Certification Program

January 16, 2025

Contact: Anne Stone, CAE, Executive Director
International Association of Arson Investigators
Anne.Stone@firearson.com or 443.966.3876

Forest Hill, MD – The International Association of Arson Investigators announces upcoming changes regarding IAAI certifications and designations beginning in May 1, 2025.

“One of IAAI’s key pillars is delivering world-class training, certifications, and designations to professionals whose work involves fire investigation,” said Trace Lawless, IAAI CFI, IAAI President. “Under the guidance of the IAAI Certification Committee, specific changes have been made to provide better clarity and consistency to the certification process, while simultaneously modernizing the IAAI certification program.”

Specific changes to the certificate and designation process include revising the certification manual, modifying the application process, ensuring greater consistency across all certification and designation types, and aligning all renewal dates.

• The IAAI Certification Manual has been updated and now combines all stand-alone certification manuals into a single document.
• Updates to all IAAI Certification requirements will now be vetted against hours for training, education, and work experience, and will no longer utilize a point system.
• In 2024, the IAAI moved all certification applications to an online format. These applications, with requirements set forth prior to May 1, 2025 will be accepted until April 30, 2025.. Beginning on May 1, 2025, IAAI will only accept the updated, 2025 online applications that reflect the changes made to the program requirements.
• In mid-2025, the Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) exam will be conducted through an online testing platform or an in-person testing facility with protected and secure examinations. The examinations, either online or in the testing facility, will continue to be monitored by a proctor.
• Certifications and designations will now require renewals after five years for all certification types. There will be a ninety-day grace period for all certification renewals. If that recipient fails to renew within that window, the recipient will need to reapply as a new applicant.
• Effective March 1, 2025, all renewal dates will be aligned, allowing recipients to track a single renewal date for all certifications. If a member currently holds two or more certification dates, IAAI will proactively adjust the renewal date to match the latest renewal date. If this shift results in any other certifications being extended for two or more years, the members must complete a realignment application for those certifications by August of the expiration year at no additional fee.

“These changes have all been driven by two priorities—the intent to enhance the member experience while aligning with industry best practices and standards,” said Anne Stone, CAE, IAAI executive director. “As industry standards evolve, it is essential the IAAI certification and designation program evolve along with them and make necessary updates to remain the gold standard in fire and explosive investigation credentials.”

For additional details regarding certification application requirements, please refer to the IAAI Certification And Designation Update Summary as well as the IAAI Certifications Manual, which will be available on www.firearson.com beginning in February 2025.

The International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) is an international professional association of more than 11,000 fire investigation professionals, united by a strong commitment to suppress the crime of arson through professional fire investigation.