Testimony experience is a requirement for obtaining CFI status. Testimony, given under oath, must pertain to the origin and cause of a fire or explosion. Points may include testimony from:

• probable cause hearings,
   
• grand jury testimony,
   
• depositions,
   
• trials,
   
• pre-trials,
   
• prosecutor inquiries, etc.

Acceptable proof of the testimony experience are:

• letters from participating attorneys (best method),
   
• deposition cover sheets,
   
• trial cover sheets,
   
• or similar proof.

Successfully completing the I.A.A.I. Testimony Course(s) or ATF Testimony Course are accepted alternatives to the expert testimony experience requirement.

COURSE/LECTURES TAUGHT

The location, date, topic and length (in student contact hours) of each course and/or lecture taught must be listed. Suitable documentation includes letters from course organizers/administrators or similar forms of documentation.

BOOKS/ARTICLES/PAPERS AUTHORED,

The title and publisher's name shall be furnished for all books authored; along with the copyright page showing the Library of Congress Catalog Number (books without this number are not accepted). To receive credit for articles or papers published, the following must be furnished: a copy of that article clearly showing the publication name, date, article title, and your name. This copy will be retained in the applicant's file and will not be returned.

EDUCATION

To receive credit in this area, a copy of the school diploma must be furnished. If the degree is related to fire investigation, a copy of the transcript must be provided. These copies will be retained in the applicant's file and will not be returned. Related degrees include Fire Science, Engineering, Chemistry or Law Enforcement.

Courses taken in the pursuit and completion of requirements for any degree claimed in the application may not be claimed in any other section. Courses taken after the degree was awarded or for a degree not claimed may be used for point eligibility in the training section.

TRAINING

If credit is claimed for a tested program (including college level courses not claimed in the education section), the applicant must furnish proof of receiving a passing grade. This proof may be in the form of a copy of a transcripts, a diploma, a certificate, or letter from the course instructor which indicates a passing score. To receive credit for NFPA based Certified Firefighter I and II or like programs, the applicant must provide copies of certificates or diplomas.

ORGANIZATION MEMBER

To receive credit for this area, the applicant must furnish a list, showing all organizations being claimed, their address, and the applicant's dates of membership. Include a photocopy of the membership card or membership certificate.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

All information furnished by the applicant is open to both oral (personal and telephonic) and written verification by the I-CFI and PC-CFI Committees. The applicant may be requested to furnish additional documentation for some or all items.

The application and all documentation for each applicant becomes and remains the property of the I-CFI Committee. Access to these documents is only available to I-CFI members, I.A.A.I. staff, PC-CFI committee members, and the applicant (upon written request). The applicant's file must be maintained by the I-CFI Chairman at the I.A.A.I. Headquarters. All other access to the information shall be by order of a court of law only.

Each applicant must sign the Authorization for Release of Education Training Records included in the application package and return the completed form with the application.

Each applicant may have one or all of their references contacted by the CFI or PC-CFI Committee Member.

Applications are available only from the I.A.A.I. Headquarters. Copies of applications are not acceptable, unless specific written authorization is obtained from the I-CFI Committee Chair or Co-Chair.

• Application filled out correctly, including authorization forms;
   
• Adequate supportive documentation provided for each point claimed
   
• Mathematical computation of points is accurate.

Letters providing the applicant's name, summary of points claimed in each major area, and job information will be sent to PC-CFI Committee chairs for review. PC-CFI Committees will have twenty (20) days to respond to the I-CFI Committee with any important information.

At the option of the I-CFI Committee and/or the PC-CFI Committee, an inquiry may be made to verify points claimed by the subject applicant.

An I-CFI Committee Member must sign the application cover sheet (Form 17) to show who reviewed each application and the date(s) of the review.

APPLICATION ACCEPTANCE

A letter will be sent via first class mail to notify the applicant of acceptance of their application (Form 3) within 14 days of application approval by the committee,.

Approved applications will be considered valid for one year from the date of acceptance by the I-CFI Committee. The applicant must complete the examination process within one year of the approval date.

APPLICATION REJECTION

When an application and/or applicant are deemed to be ineligible by reason of incomplete information, lack of supportive documentation, lack of qualifying points or other reasonable disqualifying items, Form 5 will be sent to that applicant via first class mail. Form 5 notifies the applicant of the reason(s) for the rejection of the application.

An applicant may refile for certification within one year of the review date. No additional fees are required for the second review. If an application is rejected a second time, then the person must re-apply to the program, with full fees attached in order to pursue certification.

If a rejected applicant wished to appeal the rejection and/or review process, the procedures are outlined in Chapter 8 Appeals Process.

• The International I.A.A.I. annual meeting and/or regional seminars;
   
• The annual Seminar/Conference/General Meeting of the participating chapters of the I.A.A.I.;
   
• Any location within the boundaries of an I.A.A.I. PC-CFI Committee where a sufficient number of eligible applicants warrants an examination, as determined by that chapter's proctor;
   
• A professional proctored site; e.g. university testing center (at the expense, of the examinee).

EXAMINATION PROCEDURES

At least one (1) week prior to each examination, the correct number of examinations will be printed and delivered to the examination proctor via re- turn receipt mail.

The examination identification numbers are assigned using the applicant's Social Security Number, Social Insurance Number, or likewise.

The information required for each packet is as follows:

• Examination Identification Number
   
• Applicant's Identification Number
   
• Acknowledgment receipt of one (1) examination Applicant's Signature and Date Monitor's Signature and Date * Verification receipt of examination being turned in Applicant's Signature and Date Monitor's Signature and Date

An examination packet is then made up with the correct number of examinations. A Proctor's Instruction Sheet (Form 7), Applicant Instruction Sheet (form 6), and Applicant's Comments (Form 8). The examination packet must have the applicant's name and Social Security or Identification Number printed on it. An extra exam will be sent for emergency use only...

The examination proctor must verify the identity of each applicant through a driver's license or similar identification which lists the applicant's identification number (to be matched with the examination packet).

Each applicant must sign for their sealed, individually identified (name and Social Security Number or Identification Number) examination packet. The proctor must verify that they have taken the correct packet and must witness their signature on the packet and then retain the packet until they complete and return the examination. Each applicant must return the examination they signed for and also sign the packet indicating they did so. The examination proctor must verify that they witnessed the examinee's signature and attest to same.

The examination will be allowed to continue for two (2) hours, without interruption.

Upon completion of their examination and return of all examination materials, the applicant must leave the examination room.

After the examination session has been completed, the proctor should place the examination in the envelope, seal same, and sign the envelope. All of the remaining materials (examination, instruction sheets, and Applicant's comments) should be placed in the master examination pouch and that pouch sealed. The master examination pouch must be returned to the I-CFI Committee within 24 hours or the next working day after completion of the examination by certified or registered mail. Mailing receipts must be maintained by the PC-CFI Committee and the I.A.A.I. office.

EXAMINEE RESULTS NOTIFICATION PROCESS

Within ten (10) days after administration of the examination, the I.A.A.I. must have evaluated the scorecard for each applicant.

Within twelve (12) days after administration of the examination, the I.A.A.I. must have sent, via first class mail, a pass (Form 9) /fail (Form 10) notice must be sent to each applicant. A list of all who successfully completed the. exam will be sent to the respective PC-CFI Committee Chair-persons. At no time is any applicant or other individual to be told the examination score achieved. This information is "only temporarily available to the I-CFI Committee of the I.A.A.I., and then destroyed.

Within thirty (30) days after satisfactory completion of the examination, the applicant will be mailed their CFI Certificate and wallet card identifying them as a I.A.A.I. "Certified Fire Investigator."

FAILURE OF EXAMINATION - OPTIONS AND PROCESSES

If an applicant receives a score less than the cut-off scores established by the Board of Directors on any examination, they have failed that examination. A copy of Form 10 (Applicant's Notice of Unsatisfactory Examination grade) will be sent to them within twelve (12) days after the examination date.

The applicant has the option of challenging the next scheduled examination (information to be included on Form 10), or any other examination within the next 365 days from the date of the failed examination. For the initial fee, each applicant is allowed the initial challenge and one re-challenge within the 365 days time-frame.

If an applicant fails both examinations or does not re-challenge within the 365 day period they must submit a new application and fee for the CFI program, using then current application guidelines and program requirements. The I-CFI committee reserves the right to waive the 365 day rule if a written request is made to the committee and approved by the I-CFI Chair.

The applicant also has the right of appeal when they fail an examination.

The applicant must notify the I-CFI Committee within thirty (30) days after receipt of Form 10, using the lower portion of that form, as to their intention to waive their rights to a re-examination or their desire to be scheduled for another examination.

The applicant must notify the I-CFI Committee within thirty (30) days after receipt of Form 10, using the lower portion of that form, as to their intention to waive their rights to a re-examination or their desire to be scheduled for another examination.

An applicant is permitted to make a written request that the I-CFI Committee notify him/her of their weak areas on the examination; this information will be furnished within thirty (30) days after receipt of the request.

• attempted or successful fraud;
   
• misrepresentation;
   
• improper conduct;
   
• conviction for any felony
   
• or any other activity that would lead a reasonable person to question the professional competency, honesty, integrity, or ability of the Certified Fire Investigator.

An individual whose certification has been revoked will never again be eligible for certification by the International Association of Arson Investigators.

• Application Fee
  I.A.A.I. Member $120.00
  Non-I.A.A.I. Member $160.00
  
   
• Recertification Fee
  All CFI's' $75.00

Applicants must submit the appropriate application fee, in full, with the application. The application fee is non-refundable. The fee allows an applicant to resubmit one time.

All checks or money orders must be made payable to the "International I.A.A.I.-CFI Program."

Applications forwarded to the I.A.A.I. office without the correct fee will be automatically rejected.

Fees are shared with participating CFI Program Chapters as follows:

• Application Fee
  I.A.A.I. Member: To PC: $20.00 To I.A.A.I.: $100.00
  Non-I.A.A.I. Member: To PC: $20.00 To I.A.A.I.: $140.00
  
   
• Recertification Fee:
  All CFI's To PC: $20.00 To I.A.A.I.: $55.00
  
   
• No refunds are given