ACE holds the status of a NICET equivalent in the states of Florida and Georgia. Additionally, ACE certification is accepted by NASA contractors in Florida, further demonstrating the program’s credibility and recognition in the industry.

Click here to verify ACE Certifications

1. Log in or Create an Account
2. Select an Exam Date / Location
3. Complete the  the Registration Application Online
4. Submit the required documentation including the signed Work History Validation form and certificates for training.
5. Take the Exam
6. Obtain Certification

Review all the information regarding the exam on the “About the Exam” page. 

Level I – Content Outlines

Level II – Content Outlines

Level II Direct – Content Outlines

Level III – Content Outlines

Level I Certification – $400
Level II Certification – $300
Level II Direct Certification – $600
Level III Certification – $350

Level I Certification

• A minimum of 16 hours of relevant training in the previous 24 months prior to the exam.

Level II Certification

• A minimum of 32 hours of relevant training in the previous 24 months prior to the exam.
• A minimum of 2,000 hours of work experience in the field of inspection and testing of water‐based fire protection systems within the past 24 months.

Level III Certification 

• 8,000 hours of work experience specific to inspections, testing and maintenance or water-based fire protection systems obtained within the previous five years.  
• 32 hours of relevant training in the previous 36 months (24 hours must be specific to ITM of water-based fire protection systems, the additional eight hours can simply be industry related).

More information regarding training requirements can be found on the ACE Training page.

ACE requirements for training documentation and recognized training providers can be found here: ACE Training Information

ACE recognizes industry related training towards certification or recertification.  Proof of completion is required for all training.  ACE reserves the right to request the course description and objectives for training submitted. 

Training should be specific to Inspection, Testing or Maintenance (ITM) of Water-based Fire Protection Systems or NFPA 25. For those testing for Level II only, a maximum of eight (8) continuing education credits can be applied for training specific to other certifications such as backflow, alarms, OSHA, etc.  For example, only a maximum of 8.0 continuing education credits could be applied specific to backflow inspections or repair even if the course was more than 8.0 hours.  Those testing for Level I and ALL recertifications must have 16 hours of training specific to ITM or NFPA 25. 

1 Contact Hour = 1 Training Credit

At a minimum, training documentation should contain:

• Your name
• Date(s) attended
• Location of the training
• Name of the company or organization that sponsored the sessions,
• Title and/or Subject matter of the sessions
• Contact hours or continuing education credits
• If necessary, a brief description of the subject matter’s relevance to the practice area if it is not clear from the title of the session.

ACE Certification exams are based on the NFPA 25 2017 standard. It is strongly recommended that the 2017 edition of NFPA 25 is used for the exam.

ACE allows the following reference materials to be used in the exam:

• NFPA 25 Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
• ACE provided state specific reference material

Reference materials may contain MINIMAL handwritten notes.  Highlighted passages and permanent tabs are allowed.  If permanent tabs are not used, the tabs will be required to be removed prior to the exam.  More information can be found on the “About the Exam” page.

**UPDATE** All Water-based Inspector Certification exams will be updated to NFPA 25 2023 edition in early 2025. More information will be coming out regarding the specific date.

NFPA Handbooks are NOT permitted to be used.

A score of 70% or higher is required to pass for all ACE certifications.

If a passing score was not achieved, applicants have the opportunity to re‐take the exam. If the participant does not pass the exam after three attempts, the participant will not be permitted to take the exam again for 90 days from the latest attempt. A participant may not test more than four times in a 365-day period.

Any participant who fails an exam is provided with notification regarding the specific content areas that may need more study.  This is not a comprehensive list of missed questions but rather guidance as to what areas may need more attention for the next exam.

Academy Certification Exams (ACE) understands that unexpected conflicts may come up.  ACE will make every effort to transfer participants to new test dates should the participant be unable to take the exam as scheduled.  Participants can transfer the registration to a future exam date at no fee.  Please note, that dates/exam transfers are subject to availability.  Transfers should be requested at least three business days prior to the exam, if possible.  One transfer per participant is permitted.  Additional transfers may result in a change fee being applied.  Please note, if any of the verified eligibility terms change prior to the next exam date, the participant must requalify for the exam and may be required to pay an assessment fee.

Cancellations made ten or more business days prior to the exam will receive a full refund.  Cancellations made after ten days but at least three business days prior to the exam date will be refunded minus a $50 cancellation fee.  No refund will be provided if cancelled within the three business days of the exam date, however, the registration can transfer to a new test date at no charge.  No refund will be provided for No Shows and the registration can not be transferred.

No refunds are provided for applications for recertification. Additionally, if a participant fails to provide the necessary support documentation for a recertification and the recertification expires, any required late fee or re-take requirements will apply. 

In effort to ensure all prerequisites are met, the normal registration window will close ten days prior to the exam start date.  Registrations after this date will be accepted until the registration closes, however, will be charged a late fee of $100.00. 

All Level II certifications are designed for ITM technicians who work independently to perform normal ITM duties and have a minimum of 2,000 hours of work experience in the field of inspection and testing of water-based fire protection systems.  The Level II Next Step exam is for those participants who have already successfully passed the Level I certification through ACE, NICET or an approved equivalent. 

However, if an Inspector already meets the prerequisites for a Level II and wants to test directly to Level II, skipping Level I certification, that is permitted.  The Inspector would sign up for a “Level II Direct” during the registration process.  It is recommended that Inspectors test for Level I and then Level II but it is not required. 

Yes!  ACE offers private exams if you have a group of individuals needing to be certified.  ACE will come to you.  Please contact info@academyexams.com for more information.

ACE is here to help!  Still have questions?  Please reach out to us at info@academyexams.com or (407) 815-5973.