Section 0360-04-01-.01 - GENERAL(1) All training, practicals and examinations shall be based on the performance standards for the appropriate progression level as set forth in these rules and regulations and meet or exceed all applicable NFPA standards, including NFPA 1500. All practicals and written examinations will be given at a location reasonably proximate to local departments in an effort to make it as convenient as possible for applicants.(2) Generally, Commission representatives are prohibited from testing personnel from their affiliated department. However, Commission representatives may test personnel from their affiliated department only in a regional test setting and if a majority of the applicants come from other departments.(3) An applicant shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age in order to take a certification examination.(4) Applicants shall present a valid government-issued photo identification card prior to being admitted to any examination.(5) Commission members and Commission Representatives who wish to challenge a Commission-administered practical or written examination shall do so only under the proctoring of a Commission-approved person who shall create an examination that is used only once.(6) Any individual found cheating on a Commission examination shall be prohibited from participating in the Certification program for a period of two (2) years and shall be required to restart the certification level upon the expiration of the two (2) years. An individual found cheating a second time shall be barred from participating in the Certification program.(7) Applicants who do not successfully complete both practical and written requirements for a level of certification within one (1) year of the date the applicants first successfully passed the practical or written examination for that level of certification shall be required to start the certification process over and complete both practical and written examinations unless otherwise stipulated in these rules. Individuals called to active military duty shall have the time for which their practical examinations are valid towards a written examination to be extended for the amount of time the applicant was on active military duty. Furthermore, if the applicant is on active military duty for a period greater than six (6) months, the clock will restart on the time allowed for the practical examinations to be valid; the applicant will have one (1) year to complete that level of certification. A letter from the Fire Chief or Training Officer certifying this leave shall accompany the application for written examination. If an applicant has not completed the practical and written examinations for a level of certification no later than (6) six months after the date the Commission adopts a new standard, the applicant shall be required to complete successfully new practical and written examinations which comply with the latest standard adopted by the Commission unless the newly adopted standard is not significantly different as determined by the Commission from the previously adopted standard.(8) An applicant may request accommodation for a disability in taking a written examination offered by the Commission. The request for accommodation shall be made on the form provided by the Commission and submitted to the Director along with the application. Any documentation regarding an applicant's disability and his/her need for accommodation in testing shall be considered confidential.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0360-04-01-.01
Original rule filed August 27, 1979; effective October 10, 1979. Amendment filed November 8, 1990; effective December 23, 1990. Amendment filed December 14, 2009; effective March 14, 2010. Repeal and new rule filed October 27, 2014; effective January 25, 2015. Amendments filed July 27, 2018; effective 10/25/2018.Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-24-101, 4-24-106, and 4-24-107.