I completed the Fire Service Communications (FSC) 2nd Edition Canada student course and the Fire Service Communications 2nd Edition Instructor (FSCI) 2nd Edition course (or upgraded to FSCI 2). Can I complete the Fire Service Communications 3rd Edition Instructor Update course?

No, the update course is only for the FSC 2nd edition U.S. version. Those who completed the FSCC 2nd Edition student course and currently teach the Fire Service Communications (FSC) 2nd Edition Canada course at their agency are not required to update to FSCI 3rd Edition at this time.

The remaining FAQs pertain to those who completed the Fire Service Communications (FSC) 2nd Edition U.S. version student course and are current FSC 2nd Edition Instructors

I completed the course Fire Service Communications Instructor (FSCI) 2nd Edition in 2021. Can I complete the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course?

Yes, as long as your FSC 2nd Edition Instructor certification is current, you are eligible to complete the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course at no cost to you from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024.

I completed the course Fire Service Communications Instructor (FSCI) 2nd Edition in 2022. Can I complete the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course?

Yes, you are eligible to complete the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course at no cost to you from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024.

I received certification after completing FSCI 1st Edition. Am I eligible to take the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course for recertification?

No. Students who completed FSCI 1st Edition but not FSCI 2nd Edition will need to take the full FSC 3rd Edition student course, plus the FSC 3rd Edition Instructor course, or upgrade if an existing instructor in another discipline before they can recertify.

When will the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course be available?

The FSCI 3rd Edition Update course will be available for registration starting January 2023. Courses will begin in April 2023 and will be offered weekly at no cost to you through March 2024.

Is there a fee to take the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course?

There is no cost for current FSCI 2nd Edition students to take the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024.

How long is the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course?

The FSCI 3rd Edition Update course is a free three-week, self-paced online course that should only require about two hours to complete.

Will I earn CDE hours for the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course?

Yes. Students that successfully complete the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course will earn two CDE hours.

I am an agency instructor. How long am I eligible to continue teaching if I have only taken FSCI 2nd Edition?

Current FSCI 2nd Edition agency instructors will be able to teach the FSC 2nd Edition course through September 30, 2023. Affidavits of Training for FSC 2nd Edition will only be accepted for courses taught with an end date no later than September 30, 2023 and must be received by mail or submitted via Agency Classes in Training Central within ten days of the course end date.

As an agency instructor, do I have the option to teach both FSC 2nd Edition and FSC 3rd Edition?

Agency instructors that update to FSCI 3rd Edition before September 30, 2023, may teach both FSC 2nd Edition and FSC 3rd Edition if his/her certifications are current. Affidavits of Training for FSC 2nd Edition will only be accepted for classes taught at the agency through September 30, 2023 and must be received by mail or submitted via Agency Classes in Training Central within ten days of the course end date. Starting October 1, 2023, they may only teach the FSC 3rd Edition.

Will I be able to recertify my FSCI 2nd Edition if I have not taken the FSCI 3rd Edition update?

You will be able to recertify your FSCI 2nd Edition, however, it will expire on March 31, 2024, and we will only accept FSC 2nd Edition Affidavits of Training for courses taught at the agency through September 30, 2023. You are required to attend the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course at no cost to you prior to March 31, 2024. Once you complete the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course, your expiration date will be two years from the date you submitted your FSCI 2nd Edition recertification.

How long do I have to complete the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course?

All current FSC 2nd Edition Instructors must complete the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course by March 31, 2024, to remain current.

Does my recertification change/get extended if I take the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course?

No. The FSC 3rd Edition Instructor Update course will have the same certification expiration date as your current FSC 2nd Edition Instructor certification.

What happens if I do not take the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course?

If an instructor does not complete the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course and does not recertify by March 31, 2024, then he/she will need to take the full FSC 3rd Edition student course plus the full FSC 3rd Edition Instructor course or upgrade if an existing instructor in another discipline prior to teaching the FSC 3rd Edition at their agency.

I have not taken the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course, but I recertified my FSCI 2nd Edition before March 31, 2024. How long am I eligible to teach?

Instructors recertified in FSC 2nd Edition will only be able to teach FSC 2nd Edition until September 30, 2023. The FSC 3rd Edition Instructor Update course will have the same certification expiration date as your current FSC 2nd Edition Instructor certification. You will need to take the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course by March 31, 2024. We will not be offering a grace period. If not updated by then, you will need to take the full FSC 3rd Edition Student course and the full FSCI 3rd Edition Instructor course or upgrade if an existing Instructor in another discipline prior to teaching the FSC 3rd Edition at your agency.

If I choose not to take the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course, what happens to my certification?

Instructors need to have completed the FSCI 3rd Edition Update course by March 31, 2024, to be eligible for APCO recertification. The FSCI 2nd Edition certification will expire on March 31, 2024. We will not be offering a grace period. If not updated by that time, you will need to take the full FSC 3rd Edition Student course and the full FSC 3rd Edition Instructor course or upgrade if an existing Instructor in another discipline prior to teaching the FSC 3rd Edition at your agency.

I am interested in becoming an FSC instructor. What steps do I need to take?

Prior to April 1, 2023, you may attend the FSC 2nd Edition student course plus the FSC 2nd Edition Instructor course (or upgrade if you are an existing Instructor in another discipline). Then you may update to FSC 3rd Edition Instructor at no cost to you from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. Affidavits of Training for FSC 2nd Edition will only be accepted for courses taught at the agency through September 30, 2023, and must be received by mail or submitted via Agency Classes in Training Central within ten days of the course end date.

After April 1, 2023, you may attend the FSC 3rd Edition Student course plus the FSC 3rd Edition Instructor course (or upgrade if you are an existing Instructor in another discipline).

I am an FSC 3rd Edition Instructor for my agency and have extra copies of the FSC 2nd Edition textbook. What should I do with them? How can I order textbooks for FSC 3rd Edition?

Once you have completed the FSC 3rd Edition Instructor Update course, you can exchange FSC 2nd Edition books for FSC 3rd Edition. The book exchange will be in effect until April 30, 2024.

  • Please use the book exchange form found in the FSC 3rd Edition Agency Instructor Community in PSConnect
  • Remove stickers from unused FSC 2nd Edition Student Manuals.
  • For each unused manual, remove the FSC 2nd Edition cover from the binder and affix the sticker to the cover.
  • Submit with your order.

The cost will be $30.00 per manual. Credit on account is not applicable.

You will receive a new FSC 3rd Edition manual in exchange.