(This Section may contain text from a Public Act with a delayed effective date)

1. (a) Before June 1, 2027, each institution of higher education with an applicable program that offers at least one course for credit hours recommended for equivalency by a national higher education association that provides credit recommendations for firefighting training courses and programs shall adopt a policy regarding its awarding of academic credit for firefighter training considered applicable to the requirements of a student's certificate or degree program. The policy shall apply to any individual who is enrolled in the institution of higher education and who has successfully completed a firefighting training course or program as part of his or her firefighting service that is:

   1. (1) recommended for credit by a national higher education association that provides credit recommendations for firefighting training courses and programs; or
   2. (2) otherwise documented as firefighting training or experience.
2. (b) Each institution of higher education shall develop a procedure for receiving the necessary documentation to identify and verify the firefighting training course or program that an individual is claiming for academic credit.
3. (c) Each institution of higher education shall provide a copy of its policy for awarding academic credit for firefighter training to any applicant who listed prior or present firefighting service in his or her admission application.
4. (d) Each institution of higher education shall develop and maintain a list of firefighting training courses and programs that have qualified for academic credit.

(Source: P.A. 104-43, eff. 1-1-26.)