Accreditation Requirements

  1. Alignment with NIMS Industry Standards
  1. Instructional/Training Staff Qualifications
  • Instructor(s)/Trainer(s) must hold an appropriate degree or state certification qualifications for instruction. Or
  • Have a minimum of five (5) years of full-time On-The-Job (OJT) experience as a trainer(s)/instructor(s).

Technical Competency:

  • Instructor(s)/Trainer(s) must hold relevant NIMS credentials prior to the accreditation application process. Or
  • Have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the area they will be teaching/training toward.

Note: Documentation verifying instructor qualifications must be submitted, including teaching certifications, resumes, and technical certificates.

  1. Training Maturity
  • The program must complete the Program Evaluation (online) as part of the accreditation process.       
  • Programs will be evaluated for alignment to Smart Training Solutions (STS) Training Framework
    1. Training from the End
    2. Stakeholder Environment
    3. Separate trainer(s) and Evaluator(s)
    4. Equitable Training Environments
    5. True Competency-Based
    6. True Performance Validation
    7. Win-Win
  1. Advisory Committee: Educational Program
    • Subject-Matter Experts (SMEs)
      1. A minimum of five (5) Advisory Committee Members must be from different companies within the industry.
    • Roles they play in the program:
      1. Accreditation Phase
        • Willing and able to conduct an Onsite Evaluation if selected.
      2. During Maintenance Phase
        • Cooperate with NIMS and Program’s initiatives to maintain training quality by providing feedback through surveys.
        • Must meet twice a year.
        • Provide yearly feedback on the program and submit it to NIMS as part of the maintenance process.  
  2. Advisory Committee: Company
    • Key Staff Members
      1. A minimum of five (5) Advisory Committee Members that have a direct impact on training decisions
    • Responsibilities:
      1. During Maintenance Phase:
        • Cooperate with NIMS and program initiatives by providing feedback through surveys.
        • Must meet twice a year.
        • Submit yearly program feedback to NIMS as part of the maintenance process.
    • Note: NIMS team member(s)/representative(s) will conduct the Onsite Evaluation  
  3. Facility Compliance
    • The facility must comply with OSHA standards to ensure a safe training environment.