By Assistant Professor Michael J. Ward
This question frequently comes up ... Can I get college credit for my fire training/experience
Five Elements Required to Make Fire Training Eligible for College Credit

1. The fire training is similar/identical to a college course of study. For example, some colleges offer a hazardous materials course that prepares the student to take the certification exam/skills to meet the NFPA 472 requirements for Hazardous Material Technician.
2. The instructor meets the academic requirements of the college. The minimum requirement is established by the regional accreditation organization. For example, Northern Virginia Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
   
   SACS Minimum: Faculty teaching associate degree courses not designed for transfer to the baccalaureate degree: bachelor’s degree in the teaching discipline, or associate’s degree and demonstrated competencies in the teaching discipline.
3. The delivery of the fire training is in an academically appropriate environment. A wide-ranging requirement that includes test integrity, a course syllabus/document that is consistent with the college course, appropriate classroom space and educational materials.
4. The fire training course meets the educational objectives of the college course. A three-semester hour college course represents 48 instructor-student class contact hours in a lecture format. Firefighter (and paramedic) skills sessions are considered lab classes. Lab time does not count much towards the class contact hours.
5. There is an academically valid end-of-course evaluation instrument -- a final exam.

Preexisting Credit for Fire Training
Some fire training organizations have had their courses evaluated by the American Council of Education. They publish a huge National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs that lists college level credits for training programs.  The Virginia Department of Fire Programs is ACE accredited, for a full list of organizations accredited by ACE, check their website.
If you take ACE accredited classes, they can send a transcript of your training to your college for credit consideration.
Life Experience Portfolio
Many colleges and universities provide an opportunity for the adult learner (over 25 years old) to apply prior training, experience, jobs, etc. in place of college classes. The general model is that the student will register for a course where he/she will develop a lifetime portfolio.
The goal is to demonstrate that you have satisfied the course requirements through your life experiences. In most cases, you will still have to register and pay tuition for the college classes you are "writing out of."
For NOVA it is the SDV 298 PLACE (Prior Learning Activity for Credit Evaluation) program. You can substitute up to seven classes.
Fire Science students are encouraged to contact Michael Pariser, Assistant Dean for Fire Science with any questions.