NICET FAS Updates – What does it mean for YOU?

Written by Lisa Salzman

NICET is updating their exams, what does that mean for you? 

In the world of fire protection, we all understand the importance of updates to the standards and codes. As new editions come out, certifying organizations also update their testing to stay aligned with the industry and the new requirements. If you are in the middle of certification, navigating through the update can be a bit overwhelming. So, what should you do? 

NICET has begun updates with the Fire Alarm Systems certification being the first to update in this new cycle. While this article will refer to fire alarm systems, it can also be used as a precedent for future certification updates.  

The exam and allowed standards in all Fire Alarm Systems exams will be updated on March 25, 2024.   

The NICET Reference Materials section of each certification lists “Candidates are permitted to bring only the following references into the test center.”  The table below summarizes the existing and upcoming allowed references for the NICET Fire Alarm Systems Certification. 

Fire Tech provides the following suggested guidelines for you: 

If you have not started your preparation for fire alarm systems certification, we recommend you plan on testing with the new codes and standards (See right column, “For testing on or after March 25, 2024”, of table above). 

Fire Tech Resources for the new exams are: 

• Level I Online Course:  https://learning.firetech.com/courses/fire-alarm-systems-level-i-nfpa-72-2022 
• Level I Book Set:  https://learning.firetech.com/collections/fire-alarm-systems-level-i-tabbed-book-set  
• Level I Package (Online Course + Books):  https://learning.firetech.com/collections/fire-alarm-systems-level-i-course-package  

• Level II Online Course:  https://learning.firetech.com/courses/fire-alarm-systems-level-ii-nfpa-72-2022  
• Level II Book Set:  https://learning.firetech.com/collections/fire-alarm-systems-level-ii-book-set  
• Level II Package (Online Course + Books):  https://learning.firetech.com/collections/fire-alarm-level-ii-course-package  

• Level III Online Course:  https://learning.firetech.com/courses/fire-alarm-systems-level-iii-nfpa-72-2022  
• Level III Book Set:  https://learning.firetech.com/collections/fire-alarm-systems-level-iii-book-set  
• Level III Package (Online Course + Books):  https://learning.firetech.com/collections/fire-alarm-systems-level-iii-course-package  

If you already started your exam prep with the earlier standards, complete your study and test on your next level by March 24, 2024. 

Fire Tech Resources for the exams on or before March 24, 2024 : 

• Level I Online Course:  https://learning.firetech.com/courses/fire-alarm-systems-level-i-nfpa-72-2016  

• Level II Online Course:  https://learning.firetech.com/courses/fire-alarm-systems-level-ii-nfpa-72-2016  

• Level III Online Course:  https://learning.firetech.com/courses/fire-alarm-systems-level-iii-nfpa-72-2016  

Inevitably, candidates will need to move to the new editions of the standards. The financial impact of this is a hard reality. Can you continue to test with the older editions of the standards?

From the NICET Website: 

*The test questions are based on the standard editions listed above; therefore, candidates are strongly urged to bring these editions to the exam. Note: candidates may bring older or newer editions—instead of the editions listed above—at their own risk.  

Note: An NFPA Handbook will NOT be accepted as a substitute for any of the titles listed above.  

Note: References must be bound or secured in a three-ring binder with a title page. They may have highlighted text and self-adhesive index tabs or dividers, however they must be permanently attached. No other additions or modifications to the references are allowed. Handwritten notes are NOT permitted. References with loose paper or pages and freestanding tabs (e.g., repositionable sticky notes/tabs of any kind) are not permitted into the testing centers.  

Regarding the impact of starting to learn in a specific edition of the standard and needing to move to a new standard: We say, consider yourself lucky!  You are learning the way of the industry. The codes and standards are constantly updated, and your continued study should never stop. Learning to navigate from one edition to the next and understanding how to find the updates should be an essential part of your role in the Fire Protection Industry.