How to apply for National Fire Academy courses

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Thank you for your interest in training with us! We look forward to receiving your application and assisting you throughout the process.

For help completing your National Fire Academy (NFA) application, contact our Admissions Office, Monday – Friday between 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET, at 800-238-3358, ext. 1035 or by email at netcadmissions@fema.dhs.gov.

All NFA students are required to have a Student Identification Number (SID).

How to get an SID

How to apply for:

Apply for on-campus, online-mediated, pilot and state weekend courses

NFA on-campus training suspension updates

The NFA application period is CLOSED

Use the online application to apply for course vacancies or state/national weekend programs at any time.

Apply for a course

Application maintenance alerts

Online application for NFA on-campus (code R), online-mediated (code M), pilot (code P) and state weekend (code W) courses is now available. Applying online gives you your best chance to successfully submit your application and have it accepted by the NFA.

Before you apply online

We recommend that you apply using a laptop or a desktop computer.
  • Find a course. Search the NFA Catalog for a training opportunity that meets your needs. The course code and offering dates are listed on the course description page.
  • Understand course requirements. Many courses have specific selection criteria or prerequisites. Review the course description page for detailed instructions.
  • Request an SID. You need this number to apply for NFA courses. If you have an SID and your last name doesn't match the SID we have on file, you will need to review your SID registration information.
  • Verify the name and email address of the person authorized to approve your application.
  • Prepare documents. Electronic copies of documents demonstrating your eligibility may be required. Make sure you have them ready to attach to your application. Files must be in Portable Document Format (PDF). The maximum size for each PDF is 1 MB. Tips to reduce PDF file size.

Incomplete and denied applications

We do not accept additional information for consideration after you submit your application. Make sure that you have all of the required information included and attached before you submit. If your application is denied for any reason, you must apply again.

Ready to apply for a course?

Yes, I'm ready to apply.

State Weekend students

Your state point of contact for questions is listed at the bottom of the course description page in the NFA Catalog. View courses available during your state weekend.

Restricted courses

The following courses are only open to Managing Officer students: R0385, R0387, R0388 and R0389.

These courses are only open to Executive Fire Officer students: R0123, R0274, R0306 and R0125.

Application deadlines

Semester datesApplication period
Second semester (FY 2021)April 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021Oct. 15 – Dec. 15, 2020 application period suspended
First semester (FY 2022)Oct. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022Application period open April 15 – June 15, 2021.

Application basics

Applications are not carried over. If your application is not accepted for the semester in which you applied, you must reapply for the next semester.

You may apply for more than one course per semester, but you must submit a separate application for each course.

Application notifications

We will notify you within 14 days about the status of your application.

Please add NETC-AdmissNotifications@fema.dhs.gov to your “safe senders” list to ensure you receive our emails. This email address is used only for sending notifications; do not reply to this email address.

Applying for course vacancies

Your application must be received at least six weeks before the course start date to be considered. Vacancies within six weeks of the start date of the course are filled only from the established wait list, so it is beneficial for you to apply early in the application period.

Application process for a non-U.S. citizen

The NFA offers a limited number of opportunities for non-U.S. citizens to attend courses. If a course has vacancies after U.S. applicants have been placed, you (as a non-U.S. citizen) will be considered.

  • Non-U.S. citizens must pay transportation, lodging and meal costs.
  • You must be fluent in spoken and written English; language translation is not offered on campus.
  • You can submit an application anytime during the year but it must be received at least 60 days prior to the course/conference start date.

You will be notified about application status no less than two weeks before the start date of a requested course. Placement for a requested course offering date cannot be guaranteed.

Apply for an off-campus course

Ready to apply for an NFA off-campus course? Follow these steps:

  • Understand course requirements. Many courses have specific selection criteria or prerequisites; be sure to review the Course Description page for detailed instructions. Search for courses.
  • Request an SID. You need an SID to apply for NFA courses. Register for a FEMA SID.
  • Use the correct course code on your application.
  • Complete ALL fields on the application. Your application will be returned if it is incomplete.

Application forms

If your course code begins with N, use

FEMA Form 119-25-0-1 PDF 673 KB
General Admissions Application

If your course code begins with F, use

FEMA Form 119-25-2 PDF 234 KB
General Admissions Application (Short)

Send your application

Call or email the person listed in the Contact(s) column at the bottom of the course description page in the NFA catalog.

Apply for a self-study course

Select the “Sign up now” button on the course description page in the NFA catalog.

How to request a Student Identification Number

If you are interested in applying for an NFA course, you need to register for a FEMA Student Identification Number (SID). Applications for NFA courses that do not include an SID will not be processed.

To obtain an SID

  1. Register at https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid
  2. Select "Register for a FEMA SID."
  3. Follow the instructions to create your account.
  4. You will receive an email with your SID. Save this number in a secure location.

Understanding course codes

Every NFA course has a course code. As you scan the catalog, the course code can help you more easily identify the delivery method for your program of interest. You can quickly scan for programs that fit your preferred delivery option. Be sure to include the correct course code when you submit your application for an NFA course.

Example: If you are interested in Applications of Community Risk Reduction (R0385), the letter “R” in the course code tells you the delivery method. As you consult the course code list below, you will see that a course with the letter “R” is either a 10-day or six-day course offered on campus.

The Course Description page of the catalog provides specifics on the delivery type and duration along with information such as course objectives, selection criteria, prerequisites and continuing education units.

Course codeDelivery method
CFESHE-recognized college courses
FTwo-day off-campus NFA-sponsored delivery
MOnline-mediated delivery
NSix-day off-campus NFA-sponsored delivery
OState- and local partner-sponsored training system delivery
PPilot delivery
QSelf-study course
R10-day and six-day on-campus delivery
WTwo-day on-campus delivery
YNFA-approved state-developed course delivery PDF 137 KB