1. (1) Examinations shall consist of a practical and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards.

   1. (a) The practical examination requirements for Fire Fighter I shall consist of all of the following:

      1. 1. A practical examination administered on a regional basis. This practical examination shall be developed by the Commission based on and meeting the standards in NFPA 1001.
      2. 2. A live burn practical examination shall be completed from one (1) of the following options:
   2. (i) Successful completion of the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy’s Fire Fighter I Live Burn course or Fire Fighter I and II Live Burn course. A Live Burn Suppression Verification Form shall be completed and attached/uploaded to the “Application for Written Examination”; or
   3. (ii) Successful completion of the live burn objectives in NFPA 1001 for Fire Fighter I during a live burn training. All of the exercises listed on the Live Burn Suppression Verification Sheet for the appropriate level shall be completed through the local department’s training program. A Live Burn Suppression Verification Form shall be completed and attached to the “Application for Written Examination.” The department shall provide the Commission with a minimum of fourteen (14) working days’ notice by submitting an Application for Live Burn Training. A Commission or staff member may witness any live burn exercises conducted by a department. This option shall be completed during a training exercise; no working fires shall be utilized for this option.
   4. (b) An applicant shall obtain a Fire Fighter I certification within one hundred twenty (120) months of completing a live burn practical examination. After one hundred twenty (120) months, successful completion of an additional live burn practical examination shall be required in order to obtain a Fire Fighter I certification.

2. (2) The examination for Fire Fighter II shall consist of a practical and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the relevant certification as the adopted in NFPA standards.

   1. (a) The practical examination requirements for Fire Fighter II shall consist of all the following:

      1. 1. A practical examination administered on a regional basis. This practical examination shall be developed by the Commission based on and meeting the standards in NFPA 1001.
      2. 2. A live burn practical examination shall be completed from one (1) of the following options:
   2. (i) Successful completion of the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy’s Fire Fighter II Live Burn course or Fire Fighter I and II Live Burn course. A Live Burn Suppression Verification Form shall be completed and attached/uploaded to the “Application for Written Examination”; or
   3. (ii) Successful completion of the live burn objectives in NFPA 1001 for Fire Fighter II during a live burn training. All of the exercises listed on the Live Burn Suppression Verification Sheet for the appropriate level shall be completed through the local department’s training program. A Live Burn Suppression Verification Form shall be completed and attached to the “Application for Written Examination.” The department shall provide the Commission with a minimum of fourteen (14) working days’ notice by submitting an Application for Live Burn Training. A Commission or staff member may witness any live burn exercises conducted by a department. This option shall be completed during a training exercise; no working fires shall be utilized for this option.
   4. (b) After June 30, 2016, a live burn practical examination, as part of the Fire Fighter II performance examination requirements, shall be based upon the current standard as adopted by reference in Chapter 0360-06-01-.01.
   5. (c) An applicant shall obtain a Fire Fighter II certification within one hundred twenty (120) months of successfully completing a live burn practical examination. After one hundred twenty (120) months, successful completion of an additional live burn practical examination shall be required in order to obtain a Fire Fighter II certification.
3. (3) Every Commission certification recipient shall have completed a Commission approved course that shall consist of a practical examination and written examination substantially derived from the performance standards of that certification as referenced in Chapter 0360- 06-01.
4. (4) The examination for Fire Department Instructor I shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Fire Department Instructor I as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. Any applicant challenging the Fire Department Instructor I written examination shall complete the Fire Department Instructor I Practical Skills Checklist provided by the Commission. This practical is to be graded by an individual certified by the Tennessee Commission on Fire Fighting as either a Fire Department Instructor I or a Vocational and Higher Education Instructor. A completed copy of the checklist shall be attached to the “Application for Written Examination.”
5. (5) The examination for Fire Department Instructor II shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Fire Department Instructor II as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The practical examination for the Fire Department Instructor II shall consist of completing a prescribed Fire Department Instructor II workbook meeting the current standard.
6. (6) The examination for Fire Department Instructor III shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested will be substantially derived from the performance standards for Fire Department Instructor III as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01.
7. (7) The examination for Fire Officer I shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested will be substantially derived from the performance standards for Fire Officer I as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The practical examination for Fire Officer I shall consist of completing projects which shall be administered by the Commission in conjunction with written examinations. The practical requirement shall be completion of two (2) projects assigned to the applicant at random which are derived from NFPA 1021. These projects will be graded by designated Commission representatives.
8. (8) The examination for Fire Officer II shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested will be substantially derived from the performance standards for Fire Officer II as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The practical examination for Fire Officer II shall consist of completing a project based on NFPA 1021 for Fire Officer II. The project may be obtained from the Commission. This project will be graded by the Commission.
9. (9) The examination for Fire Officer III shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested will be substantially derived from the performance standards for Fire Officer III as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The practical examination for Fire Officer III shall consist of completing a project based on NFPA 1021 for Fire Officer III. The project may be obtained from the Commission. This project will be graded by the Commission.
10. (10) The examination for Fire Officer IV shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Fire Officer IV as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. An applicant shall successfully complete the practical examination for Fire Officer IV as promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 1021, Chapter 7.

11. (11) The examination for Hazardous Materials Awareness shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Hazardous Materials Awareness as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-

    1. 01.
    2. (a) The practical examination for Hazardous Materials Awareness may be part of the Fire Fighter I practical or administered separately and shall be based upon NFPA 472 or NFPA 1072 for the appropriate level.
    3. (b) The written examination for Hazardous Materials Awareness may be administered in conjunction with the Hazardous Materials Operations Certification written examination or may be administered separately.

12. (12) The examination for Hazardous Materials Operations shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Hazardous Materials Operations as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-

    1. 01.
    2. (a) The practical examination for Hazardous Materials Operations may be part of the Fire Fighter I practical or administered separately and shall be based upon NFPA 472 or NFPA 1072 for the appropriate level.
    3. (b) The written examination for Hazardous Materials Operations may be administered in conjunction with the Hazardous Materials Awareness Certification written examination or may be administered separately.

13. (13) The examination for Airport Firefighter shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Airport Firefighter as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The practical examination requirements for Airport Firefighter shall consist of all the following:

    1. (a) A practical examination administered on a regional basis. This practical examination shall be developed by the Commission based on the standards in NFPA 1003;

    2. (b) A live burn practical examination shall be completed. One (1) of the following options shall be completed:

       1. 1. Completion of a Federal Aviation Administration training course where, at minimum, all requirements of the Commission’s Airport Live Burn Verification Sheet are accomplished; or
       2. 2. All of the exercises listed on the Airport Live Burn Suppression Verification Sheet for the appropriate level shall be completed through the local airport fire department’s training program. An Airport Live Burn Suppression Verification Form shall be completed and attached to the “Application for Written Examination”. The department shall provide the Commission with a minimum of seventy-two (72) hours prior notification of live burn exercises. A Commission member or staff may witness any live burn exercises conducted by a department. This option shall be completed during a training exercise; no working fires may be utilized for this option.

14. (14) The examination for Wildland Firefighter I shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Wildland Firefighter I as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The practical examination for Wildland Firefighter I shall consist of one (1) of the following:

    1. (a) Completion of a practical examination based upon NFPA 1051 which has been submitted to the Commission for approval; or
    2. (b) Completion of the “Task Book for the Position of Firefighter Type 2” offered by the Tennessee Division of Forestry.

15. (15) The examination for Wildland Firefighter II shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Wildland Firefighter II as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The practical examination for Wildland Firefighter II shall consist of one (1) of the following:

    1. (a) Completion of a practical examination based upon NFPA 1051 which has been submitted to the Commission for approval; or
    2. (b) Completion of the “Task Book for the Position of Advanced Firefighter/Squad Boss” offered by the Tennessee Division of Forestry.
16. (16) The examination for Fire and Life Educator I shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Fire and Life Safety Educator I as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The practical examination for Fire and Life Safety Educator I shall consist of completing a project based upon NFPA 1035 for the appropriate level and returning it to the Commission for grading. The project may be obtained from the Commission.
17. (17) The examination for Fire and Life Educator II shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Fire and Life Safety Educator II as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The practical examination for Fire and Life Safety Educator II shall consist of completing a project based upon NFPA 1035 for the appropriate level and returning it to the Commission for grading. The project may be obtained from the Commission.
18. (18) The examination for Fire Apparatus Operator shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Fire Apparatus Operator as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The applicant shall complete a practical examination promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 1002, Chapters 4, 5, and 6. In order to sit for the test before completing the prerequisite courses for this level, the applicant shall perform the evolutions on both pumper and aerial apparatus equipment.
19. (19) The examination for Pumper Driver/Operator shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Pumper Driver/Operator as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The applicant shall complete a practical examination promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 1002, Chapters 4 and 5.

20. (20) The examination for Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-

    1. 01. The applicant shall complete a practical examination promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 1002, Chapters 4 and 6.
21. (21) The examination for Incident Safety Officer shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Incident Safety Officer as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The practical examination for Incident Safety Officer shall be the completion of a written project of the Incident Safety Officer’s role, duties, and responsibilities in accordance with NFPA 1521, OSHA, and other standards given an incident scenario provided by the Commission. The applicant will be provided the incident scenario in a written examination setting. This project will be evaluated by a Committee of the Commission which will meet in conjunction with a regularly scheduled Commission meeting on an as-needed basis. Successful completion of this project shall qualify the applicant to take the written examination for Incident Safety Officer.
22. (22) The examination for Health and Safety Officer shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Health and Safety Officer as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The practical examination for Health and Safety Officer shall be the completion of a written outline of the Health and Safety Officer’s role, duties, and responsibilities in accordance with NFPA 1521, OSHA, and other standards given an incident scenario provided by the Commission. The applicant will be provided the incident scenario in a written examination setting. This outline will be evaluated by a Committee of the Commission. Successful completion of this outline shall qualify the applicant to take the written examination for Health and Safety Officer.
23. (23) The examination for Rope Awareness shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Rope Awareness as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The applicant shall complete a practical examination promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 1006, Chapters 4 and 5.
24. (24) The examination for Rope Operations shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Rope Operations as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The applicant shall complete a practical examination promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 1006, Chapters 5 and 6.
25. (25) The examination for Rope Technician shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Rope Technician as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01.
26. (26) The examination for Interior Structural Fire Brigade Member shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Interior Structural Fire Brigade Member as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The applicant shall complete a practical examination promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 1081, Chapters 4 and 7.
27. (27) The examination for Fire Inspector shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Fire Inspector as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The applicant shall complete a practical examination promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 1031, Chapter 4.
28. (28) The examination for Fire Investigator I shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Fire Investigator I as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The applicant shall complete a practical examination promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 1033.

29. (29) The examination for Hazardous Materials Technician shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Hazardous Materials Technician as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-

    1. 01. The applicant shall complete a practical examination promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 472 or NFPA 1072.
30. (30) The examination for Hazardous Materials Incident Commander shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Hazardous Materials Incident Commander as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The applicant shall complete a practical examination promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 472 or NFPA 1072.
31. (31) The examination for Plans Reviewer shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Plans Reviewer as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The applicant shall complete a practical examination promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 1031.
32. (32) The examination for Fire Marshal shall consist of a practical examination and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Fire Marshal as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The applicant shall complete a practical examination promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 1037.
33. (33) The examination for Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) Driver/Operator shall consist of a practical and a written examination. The subjects tested shall be substantially derived from the performance standards for Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) Driver/Operator as set forth in Chapter 0360-06-01. The applicant shall complete a practical examination promulgated by the Commission utilizing the standards outlined in NFPA 1002, Chapters 4 and 9.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-24-101, 4-24-106, 4-24-107, and 4-24-110. Administrative History: Original rule filed August 27, 1979; effective October 10, 1979. Amendment filed November 8, 1990; effective December 23, 1990. Repeal and new rule filed October 14, 1994; effective February 28, 1995. Repeal and new rule filed April 25, 2005; effective July 9, 2005. Amendment filed December 14, 2009; effective March 14, 2010. Amendments filed October 5, 2010; effective March 31, 2011. Amendments filed August 2, 2011; effective January 29, 2012. Repeal and new rule filed October 27, 2014; effective January 25, 2015. Amendments filed June 3, 2016; effective September 1, 2016. Amendments filed July 27, 2018; effective October 25, 2018. Amendments filed January 22, 2020; effective April 21, 2020. Amendments filed April 2, 2025; effective July 1, 2025.