Virginia Fire Marshal Academy

VFMA School Schedule 2026

To register for any of the courses below, please find the course in Cornerstone OnDemand. Please be sure to review the course details when registering as there may be additional requirements beyond registering in Cornerstone OnDemand.

• This 80-hour course provides basic instruction in the minimum knowledge and skills required to conduct fire inspections, as defined by NFPA 1030, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner, Code of Virginia, and the Virginia Administrative Code.
  This course meets the Job Performance Requirements (JPRs) of the NFPA 1030 standard for Fire Inspector Levels I and II. This course meets the training requirements specified in Code of Virginia § 27-34.2 and the Virginia Certification Standards as specified in the Statewide Fire Prevention Code. The course meets over two consecutive weeks (Monday – Friday).
  Certification Requirements: Students must complete written and practical skills testing, homework assignments and participate in all practical exercises/activities.
  
  
  Prerequisites: None, but a priority system is in place. Those individuals in the public sector with the statutory charge of fire inspections are given priority.
  Text: 2021 Virginia Statewide Construction Code, 2021 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, and Principles of Fire Prevention by David Diamantes (5th ed)
  
  
  Hours: 80 hours
  
  
  2026 Offerings:
  
  • January 26 - February 6 (Division 5 - City of Suffolk)
  • June 8 - June 19 (Division 3 - City of Lynchburg)
  • August 17 - August 28 (Division 1 - VA Public Safety Training Center)
  • November 30 - December 11 (Division 7 - Prince William County)
• This 120-hour course consists of lecture, practical, and web-based on demand training and provides instruction in the minimum knowledge and skills required to conduct fire origin and cause investigations, as defined by NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator, Code of Virginia, and the Virginia Administrative Code.
  
  Upon completion of this course, students will be able to conduct simple fire investigations and assist in more complex scene investigations. The course meets over three consecutive weeks (Monday – Friday).  
  Testing: Students must successfully complete written and practical skills testing. Details of the testing process will be provided on the first day of class.  
   
  Texts: NFPA 921 (2024 ed), NFPA 1033 (2022 ed), and Jones and Bartlett Fire Investigator: Principals and Practices (6th ed)  
   
  Required Equipment: A full list of required equipment will be provided in your registration letter.
   
  Hours: 120 hours 
   
  2026 Offerings: 
  • March 9 - March 27 (Division 6 - City of Roanoke)
  • April 27 - May 15 (Division 3 - City of Charlottesville)
  • September 14 - October 2 (Division 7 - Fairfax County)
  • October 26 - November 13 (Division 5 - TBD)
• The Virginia Fire Marshal Academy Basic Law Enforcement School is a 14-week, 560-hour, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services compliant basic law enforcement academy.  
  
  
  The course curriculum covers all mandatory minimum compulsory training outcomes for law enforcement officers listed in the DCJS training manual. The program consists of classroom instruction, field training exercises, practical skills evaluations, weekly quizzes, written tests and a comprehensive final written examination.  
  
  Topics covered include, but are not limited to: Ethics, Conflict Resolution and Situational De-escalation, Domestic Violence, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Basic and Tactical Firearms, Defensive Tactics and Control Techniques, Emergency Vehicle Operation, Active Shooter Response, Interview and Interrogation, and many others. 
  
  Upon completion of the basic law enforcement school and field training, the law enforcement fire marshal will be fully prepared to embark on their new careers as fully sworn, law enforcement fire marshal investigators.  
  
  Prerequisites: NFPA 1033 Fire Investigator 1033 
  
  Equipment: A detailed list of equipment will be provided to confirmed students. 
  
  Hours: Approx. 560 hours 
  
  Not offered in 2026. Sites are being evaluated for the next offering, which will be February 15, 2027 – May 21, 2027.