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1. What are the qualifications to participate in the CPAT at NIPSTA?

Applicants must be 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license.

2. When should I register for the Pre-Test Preparation Program and Test?

Register early, the CPAT schedule is available on a "first-come, first-served"  basis. Applications are confirmed in the order in which they are received. Applications are not confirmed unless payment has been received in full. Confirmation will occur via telephone or email.

3. What is the fee to participate in the CPAT at NIPSTA?

The fee to participate in the CPAT process is $150  per person. This fee includes the Pre-Test Preparation Program (two optional Orientations & up to two optional Practice Tests) and one Test. The fee must be paid in full before an application is confirmed. The fee is payable to “NIPSTA” by check or money order and is non-refundable.

4. What do I need to wear to the Pre-Test Preparation Program and Test?

The dress code is strictly enforced for safety. Participation in Pre-Test Preparation Programs (Orientation and Practice Test sessions) as well as the Test requires long pants (no shorts), a t-shirt or sweatshirt, footwear without an exposed heel or toe, and no loose or restrictive jewelry, including watches. Candidates must present this proper attire prior to participating in any CPAT activities.

5. What will I learn from attending an Orientation session?

Working with experienced CPAT proctors, candidates are given the opportunity to practice all eight CPAT exercises in order to determine their personal strengths and weaknesses. In addition, the Orientation Sessions  includes written and verbal instructions that will help to ensure success. For these reasons, participation in the Orientation is highly recommended, but it is not mandatory. The option to waive participation in the Orientations requires written consent, but does not result in any fee discount.

6. What should I expect when attending a Practice Test Session?

The Practice Test will be both administered and be fully staffed as it  would be on the official Test date. If the candidate successfully completes the CPAT Practice Test, then he/she is eligible to receive a CPAT Identification Card from NIPSTA and, therefore, is not required to attempt the CPAT Test on the later scheduled Test date.

7. How long should I expect to be at NIPSTA for the Orientation and Test sessions?

• Orientation Session #1 - Up to 1.5 Hours
• Orientation Session #2 - Practice Test Session - Up to 2.5 Hours
• CPAT Test - Up to 1.5 Hours

This will vary based upon the number of scheduled per session.

8. What is the purpose of the NIPSTA CPAT identification card?

The card may be presented to fire departments as verification of successfully completing the Test. The card does not include a date of expiration. Acceptance of the card is at the discretion of the fire department to which a candidate makes an employment application. A $25 fee shall apply to requests for replacement of an identification card.

9. When do I receive my CPAT identification card?

Candidates who successfully complete the CPAT Test will be issued their photo identification card that day.

10. If I fail the Test, can I take it again?

Yes. A candidate may re-register for a future testing session. The fee to participate is $150.00 and includes registration for the Pre-Test Preparation Program and another test.

Show All Answers

1. What are the qualifications to participate in the CPAT at NIPSTA?

Applicants must be 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license.

2. What is the fee to participate in the CPAT at NIPSTA?

The fee to participate in the CPAT process is $150.00 per person. This fee includes the Pre-Test Preparation Program (two optional Orientations & up to two optional Practice Tests) and on Test.  The fee must be paid in full at time of registration then the application will be confirmed.

3. What are the qualifications to participate in the POWER Test at NIPSTA?

Applicants must be 20 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license. For more information, please call 847-998-8090.

4. How do I receive my certification?

Participants who successfully complete a course are awarded a Certificate of Completion. Participants who do not successful complete a course may be awarded a Certificate of Attendance. Participants seeking a copy of the Certificate of Completion may contact the NIPSTA administrative team at 847-998-8090. A $10.00 fee will  be assess for a copy of each certificate.

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1. What classes offered at NIPSTA lead to Illinois OSFM certification?

Currently, the following courses offered at NIPSTA are approved by the Illinois OSFM for certification?

• Basic Operations Firefighter

• Advanced Operation Firefighter

• Fire Service Vehicle Operator

• Fire Apparatus Engineer

• Company Fire Officer

• Advanced Company Officer

• Fire Department Incident Safety Officer

• Fire Department Health and Safety Officer

• Fire Service Instructor I

• Fire Service Instructor II

• Fire Service Instructor III

• Training Program Manager

• Hazardous Materials First Responder-Operations

• Hazardous Materials Technician

• Hazardous Materials Incident Command

• Rescue Specialist-Confined Space

• Rope Operations

• Rope Technician

• Trench Operations

• Trench Technician

• Structural Collapse Operations

• Structural Collapse Technician

• Vehicle and Machinery Operations

• Vehicle and Machinery Technician

2. Are Illinois OSFM examinations included at the end of NIPSTA courses?

In an effort to begin transitioning over to the OSFM's computer based testing initiative we will no longer be scheduling closed, end of course state exams, for tests offered at PearsonVUE facilities.

3. As a Regional Test Site, does NIPSTA have a calendar of dates for exams?

Test dates for Illinois OSFM Open Exams at NIPSTA for 2019:

February 8, 2019 (Friday)

March 15, 2019 (Friday)

April 12, 2019 (Friday)

June 14, 2019 (Friday)

July 19, 2019 (Friday)

September 13, 2019 (Friday)

October 11, 2019 (Friday)

November 8, 2019 (Friday)

December 13, 2019 (Friday)

4. Where can I find information on regional computer based (Pearson VUE) testing facilities?

The following information is available from the OSFM and posted on PSE website:

On June 1st, 2018, twenty-five state written examinations will be available to be challenged through a new, computer based, testing process. As certification programs are revised to the updated NFPA Standards, more examinations will become available.

• Examinations Available:

• Basic Operations Firefighter Complete, Mod A, Mod B and Mod C

• Advanced Technician Firefighter Complete, Mod A, Mod B

• Company Fire Officer, Advanced Fire Officer

• Airport Firefighter, Fire Investigator

• Fire Apparatus Engineer, Fire Service Vehicle Operator

• Hazardous Materials Operations and Technician

• Instructor I, II and III

• Public Fire Life Safety Educator I, Fire Inspector II, Youth Firesetter

• Rope Operations and Technician

• Trench Operations and Technician
  

Registration for computer based exams will begin June 1 with exam offerings at Pearson VUE test centers located throughout the state. Paper-and-pencil testing will continue to be offered initially but will eventually be phased out within 3 years. More detailed information regarding this process will be released at a later date.

A Request for Examination must be submitted to the DPSE to approve the individual to challenge an examination. This process will not change. Once the individual is approved by DPSE, Pearson Vue is notified. The individual will then be able to schedule the test at a Pearson Vue site. Individuals will be able to choose a specific date and time to schedule their exam. Web scheduling will be available for candidates 24/7. Email confirmations will be sent to candidates when they schedule, cancel, or reschedule an exam. Pearson Vue website address is https://home.pearsonvue.com

OSFM will pay 100% of the exam fee for a candidate's first scheduled test attempt at a Pearson VUE test center (includes pass, fail, and no-show). All exam retakes at a Pearson VUE test center will be $59, payable by the candidate or fire department, as applicable. Exam scores will be presented to candidates immediately following the exam.

Two (2) forms of identification are required at the testing center. One government issued, photo- and signature-bearing ID (passport, driver's license, etc.) and one alternate ID (for example, a credit card)

Individuals are provided with one exam authorization. Individuals must be reauthorized for each exam retake attempt by OSFM in the event that they fail the exam (this is the current Request for Exam process.) Individuals may cancel or reschedule their exam no later than 24 hours before their reservation date and time or else they will forfeit their test fee.

5. Where can I find the prerequisites for the OSFM certifications?

The most accurate location for the information on the OSFM Certifications can be found at the Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR).  

6. I have completed a course and passed the Illinois OSFM exam, why does it say that my practical is not complete?

In order to complete the certification process, your Fire Chief or your Training Officer must request that you become certified in the course you are inquiring about.  Contact your Fire Chief or Training Officer and request that they complete this request.

7. I have Hazardous Materials Technician A certification, what must I do before June 30, 2019 to remain a "Hazardous Materials Technician"?

1. As of June 30, 2019 there will no longer be a Tech A or B they will go away and everyone only certified at the A level will have to take the entire Technician class over.

2. Everyone who is currently certified Tech A and B are currently certified as a Technician

3. There is no bridge course the classes haven’t changed they have only combined to make one class.

4. The rules currently say that if you are Tech A and B certified you are a hazmat technician so the SCAC eliminated the Tech A and B certifications so that there is less confusion when you become a technician. You will have to take the entire class and pass all practical’s and exam to become a Hazmat Technician.

5. If a school or academy or whoever wants to continue with the Tech A and Tech B that is fine but they will not be eligible for certification until both are completed and the state exam is successfully passed. This means that the state will no longer except course completion rosters for Tech A and B, only one course completion roster with 80 hours of instruction will be excepted after June 30, 2019.

6. The key component to this is if you are only certified at the Tech A level and you want to be a Hazmat Technician you need to have Tech B completed and passed the exam by June 30, 2019. If you don’t want certification for Hazmat Technician that is fine but in the future you will have to take the 80 hour course to get your certification.

7. Those currently Tech A and B will not get any additional certifications they are considered Hazmat Technician now and will not be given a new certification only those moving forward that complete the 80 hour course will be given a certification stating they are Hazmat Technicians.

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1. What are the qualifications to participate in the POWER Test at NIPSTA?

Applicants must be 20 years of age and possess a valid driver's license. For more information, please call 847-998-8090.

2. When should I register for the Test?

Register early. Registrations are accepted on a first-come first-serve basis and are confirmed in the order in which they are received. Applications are not confirmed unless payment has been received in full. For more information, please call 847-998-8090.

3. What is the fee to participate in the POWER Test at NIPSTA?

The fee to participate in the POWER Test is $45 per person. This fee is for one attempt of the POWER Test. The fee must be paid in full before a registration is confirmed. Refunds will not be given after payment is received by NIPSTA. For more information, please call 847-998-8090.

4. What do I need to wear to the Test?

Candidates should wear proper attire for indoor and outdoor events. Gym shoes are recommended; socks are required. For more information, please call 847-998-8090.

5. What type of weight bench is used at NIPSTA for the POWER Test?

NIPSTA utilizes a machine-style weight bench for the POWER Test. The machine is the Marcy Pro Training Systems Olympic Set. View a picture of a machine-style weight bench (JPEG). For more information, please call 847-998-8090.

6. Is the 1.5 mile run held indoors or outdoors?

The 1.5 mile run is held outdoors on a 1/6 mile track. Testing will be held rain or shine and in only cases of extreme weather would Test be delayed or cancelled. Cancellation of a Test will be made at NIPSTA's discretion. For more information, please call 847-998-8090.

7. What is the purpose of the POWER Test identification card?

The card may be presented to police agencies as verification of successfully completing the Test. The card does not include a date of expiration. Acceptance of the card is at the discretion of the police agencies to which a candidate makes an employment application. A $25 fee shall apply to requests for replacement of a lost identification card. For more information, please call 847-998-8090.

8. When do I receive my POWER Test identification card?

Candidates who successfully complete the POWER Test will be issued their photo identification card that day. For more information, please call 847-998-8090.

9. After receiving the POWER Test identification card at NIPSTA, do I still have to take the POWER Test prior to entering an Illinois certified police academy?

Yes. If a candidate is hired by a police agency, Illinois state law requires an individual to successfully complete the POWER Test within a certain timeframe just prior to entering an academy. The POWER Test identification card issued by NIPSTA in no-way exempts an individual from re-taking the Test. For more information, please call 847-998-8090.

10. If I fail the Test, can I take it again?

Yes. A candidate may re-register for a future testing session. The fee to participate is $45 and includes one attempt of the POWER Test. For more information, please call 847-998-8090.