Professional Certification Levels and Minimum Qualifications

We have initial certifications for those starting out in their wildland fire and fuels careers, followed by two certification pathways for those with more experience and education.

Below is a quick guide to the minimum qualifications and fees; please see the Professional Certification Guidebook for details prior to applying. 

Initial Certifications

  • AFE Wildland Fire Technician: Entry-level certification for fire professionals who have graduated from a 2-year or 4-year program with a focus on wildland fire. No experience required. Cost is $72, or $50 with student discount.

  • AFE Wildland Fire Practitioner: Minimum qualifications include a BS degree, plus 2 years of related experience. Cost is $72, or $50 with student discount.

  • AFE Wildland Fuels Technician: Minimum qualifications include meeting wildland fuels core competencies or a BS degree, plus 1 year of related experience. Cost is $72, or $50 with student discount.

Management Pathway

  • AFE Wildland Fire Manager: Minimum qualifications include a BS plus 8 years of related experience, a MS in fire management (or related field) plus 5 years of related experience, or a PhD in fire management (or related field) plus 3 years of related experience. Cost is $80, or $55 with student discount.

  • AFE Senior Wildland Fire Manager: Minimum qualifications include a MS or PhD in fire management (or related field) plus at least 10 years of related experience, or a BS degree in fire management (or related field) plus at least 20 years of related experience. Applicants should demonstrate an exemplary record of achievement in ecologically-based fire management or fire policy. Cost is $180.

  • AFE Wildland Fuels Manager: Minimum qualifications include meeting wildland fuels core competencies or a BS degree, plus 5 years of related experience. Cost is $80, or $55 with student discount.

  • AFE Senior Wildland Fuels Manager: Minimum qualifications include meeting wildland fuels core competencies or a BS degree, plus 10 years of related experience. Applicants should demonstrate an exemplary record of achievement as a wildland fuels management program leader. Cost is $180.

Science Pathway

  • AFE Wildland Fire Ecologist: Minimum qualifications include a BS degree, plus 8 years of related experience, a MS in fire ecology/science (or related field) plus 5 years of related experience, or a PhD in fire ecology/science (or related field) plus 3 years of experience. Cost is $72, or $50 with student discount.

  • AFE Senior Wildland Fire Ecologist: Minimum qualifications include a MS or PhD in fire ecology/science (or related field), plus at least 10 years of related experience. Applicants should demonstrate an exemplary record of achievement in fire ecology or fire science research and education. Cost is $180.

  • AFE Wildland Fuels Scientist: Minimum qualifications include meeting wildland fuels core competencies and a MS or PhD in fire science (or related field), plus 1 year of related experience. Cost is $72, or $50 with student discount.

  • AFE Senior Wildland Fuels Scientist: Minimum qualifications include meeting wildland fuels core competencies and a MS or PhD in fire science (or related field), plus 10 years of related experience.  Applicants should demonstrate an exemplary record of achievement in science research and education specific to wildland fuels management techniques and/or strategy. Cost is $180.

A Note on Education Requirements and Core Competencies

For certifications requiring a BS degree: The applicant must have completed coursework in the core areas of study (below) or be a graduate from an AFE Certified Wildland Fire Academic Program after 2013.

For certifications requiring a MS or PhD: This degree should be in relevant field for the certification type (e.g., Fire Ecology, Fire Science, Fire Management, Fuels Management, or related field).

Core Areas of Study

At least 3 credits are required in each of the following areas of study:

  1. Fire Ecology (can include thesis or dissertation research)

  2. Fire Science & Management (can include thesis and dissertation research)

  3. General Ecology

  4. Statistics

  5. Advanced Ecology & Biology (300 level+ courses in ecology, botany, pathology, zoology, entomology)

  6. Measurement & Analysis (e.g., remote sensing, GIS, modeling, sampling, monitoring)

  7. Environmental Sciences (e.g., meteorology, soils, geology, hydrology, physical geography)

COLLEGE EQUIVALENCY ALTERNATIVE FOR FIRE ECOLOGY AND FIRE SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT

As of 2021, applicants can substitute continuing education for formal academic coursework in the fire ecology and fire science and management core areas of study. The applicant will provide information in a table within a comprehensive letter that documents all continued education, coursework, and professional improvement that may satisfy the fire ecology and fire science and management requirements. The applicant’s continuing education activities must be equivalent to at least 3 college credits, and the applicant must receive at least a score of 2 in the subject areas for Fire Ecology and/or Fire Science and Management. Click here for detailed instructions on how to apply for alternative credits.

Core Competencies

For those applying for wildland fuels certifications: A set of core competencies can be used in lieu of the academic degree for the Fuels Technician and Fuels Management certifications. For the Fuels Scientist certifications, both education and core competencies are required and will be assessed by the evaluator.

 

AFE’s journal, Fire Ecology, publishes peer-reviewed articles on all ecological and management aspects relating to wildland fire. Freely access journal articles and get details about submitting a manuscript.