The Pro Board® accredits agencies that use the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA's) professional qualification standards. The accreditation process begins with the submission of an application, including a detailed self assessment document, by the agency seeking accreditation. The application package is then reviewed by the members of the Committee on Accreditation (COA) for completenes
s and compliance with the accreditation criteria of the Pro Board®. The next step is a site visit by a team of COA members, usually two, who perform an extensive on-site review of the agency's testing and certification processes. The COA decides if accreditation is granted. An agency that is accredited by the Pro Board® makes certification available to its members. Members are then eligible to be entered into the Pro Board's® certification registry and receive a certificate from the accredited agency, or apply for a certificate from the Pro Board®, affirming that they were certified by a Pro Board® accredited agency and that they are entered in the Pro Board's® certification registry. In addition, the Pro Board® encourages reciprocity among certifying agencies. This helps assure that Pro Board® certification will be recognized by the department as the members seek advancement, and by other departments should they seek to transfer within the fire service.
