Credentials

One of the IAAI's core activities is providing training, certifications, and designations to professionals whose work involves fire investigation. The IAAI's training and certification activities are overseen by the Training & Education Committee, which is charged with improving the professional development of fire and arson investigators worldwide through training and education in science and specialty disciplines required to conduct and administer a professional and ethical fire investigation.

IAAI has made changes regarding IAAI certifications and designations beginning in May 2025.

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.

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.

Certifications and Designations

Online Certification Applications

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) accepts International Association of Arson Investigators' Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI®) for Pre-Qualified Membership in the IFE. Learn more.

International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc.

Global Leaders in Fire Investigation®

2331 Rock Spring Road
Forest Hill, MD 21050

410-451-FIRE(3473)

800-468-4224

Connect with the IAAI by email.

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