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?
The next NICET certification scheduled to update is Water-Based Systems Layout. The new release date for the updated exams is July 8, 2024. The table below lists the current and future allowed references:
Current testing (before July 8, 2024) |
For testing on or after July 8, 2024 |
Level I
|
Level I
|
Level II
|
Level II
|
Level III – General Plans Preparation
|
Level III – General Plans Preparation
|
Level III – Hydraulics and Water Supply Planning
|
Level III – Hydraulics and Water Supply Planning
|
Level IV
|
Level IV –
TBA |
The NICET Reference Materials section of each certification lists
“Candidates are permitted to bring only the following references into the test center”
Fire Tech suggested guidelines for you:
If you have not started your preparation for water-based layout certification, we recommend you plan on testing with the new codes and standards (See right column, “For testing on or after July 8, 2024”, in table above).
If you already started your exam prep with the current standards, complete your study and test on your next level by July 7, 2024.
Fire Tech Resources for the exams on or before July 7, 2024 : Water-Based Systems Layout online courses and exam materials
If you would like to be added to the Notification List for the new exam prep materials, use this link!
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: Although it has a financial impact, 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.