1. (a) An action to suspend, deny, or revoke certification; to suspend or decertify a certification exam or course; to suspend or revoke a Registered Instructor, Registered Lead Evaluator, a Registered Skills Evaluator, or an accredited academy; or to suspend or expel a student, candidate, or applicant may be appealed to the Chief of State Fire Training via written notification. The appeal and all relevant documentation the appellant believes supports the appeal, must be submitted in writing and received by the Chief of State Fire Training within thirty (30) calendar days of the Supervising Deputy State Fire Marshal's notification of denial of certification, suspension, decertification, or revocation.

   Within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving the appeal, the Chief of State Fire Training shall respond to the appellant in writing with a decision affirming, reversing or modifying the decision of the Supervising Deputy State Fire Marshal, and provide the reasons for the decision. In the event the Chief of State Fire Training is unavailable due to vacancy, conflict of interest, incapacitation, or other circumstance then an Assistant Deputy Director or Deputy Director may serve in their place.

2. (b) The decision of the Chief of State Fire Training may be appealed to the STEAC Appeals Committee. The appeal and all relevant documentation the appellant believes support their appeal, must be submitted in writing and received by State Fire Training (SFT) within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the decision of the Chief of State Fire Training.

   Appeals received at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the next scheduled STEAC Appeals Committee meeting will be heard at that meeting. Appeals received with less than thirty (30) days remaining prior to the next scheduled STEAC Appeals Committee meeting will be heard at a subsequent meeting. State Fire Training shall notify the appellant in writing of the date, time, and location of the hearing within 10 calendar days of the receipt of the appeal by the State Fire Training.

   At an appeal hearing, the burden of proof is on the appellant to demonstrate to the STEAC Appeals Committee that an error was committed by SFT staff in its decision (refer to State Fire Training Procedures Manual Section 2.1.4.5 for STEAC Appeals Process).

   The Chief of State Fire Training shall notify the appellant in writing of the STEAC's decision within 15 calendar days following the conclusion of the hearing.

Note: Authority cited: Section 13157(a), Health and Safety Code. Reference: Section 13157(a), Health and Safety Code.

History

1. New section filed 8-7-2008; operative 9-6-2008 (Register 2008, No. 32).

2. Amendment of section and Note filed 1-9-2020; operative 1-9-2020 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2020, No. 2).

3. Amendment of section heading, repealer and new section and amendment of Note filed 2-17-2026; operative 4-1-2026 (Register 2026, No. 8).