NWCG COURSE EQUIVALENCY GUIDELINES
An equivalent course is determined by agency identified "evaluators" to be equal to a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) approved course.
Awarding course equivalency is an agency specific responsibility. Only agencies have the authority to certify their employees meet NWCG training requirements when alternative course offerings are used. Individual agencies will set guidelines for equivalency determination and may grant credit for courses they deem equivalent.
Courses being reviewed for equivalency must have:
- A reason the alternative course was used or developed;
- A benefit gained through awarding course equivalency such as:
- cost savings
- broadened target audience
- enhanced learning experience for students
The agency seeking course equivalency should conduct a detailed analysis and document their findings according to agency policy.
When conducting this analysis, the following guidelines apply:
- All learning and performance objectives of the NWCG course are met or exceeded in the equivalent course;
- The same minimum instructor qualifications required for the NWCG course apply to the equivalent course;
- Course prerequisites have not been altered;
- The equivalent course does not conflict or contradict established NWCG guidelines or standards;
- The equivalent course is not numbered using the NWCG course numbering system.
A new analysis must be completed when the equivalent NWCG course is revised to ensure course equivalency continues.
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