Welcome to the Nevada Emergency Preparedness Association (NEPA) Certification Program. The NEPA Certification Program is designed to recognize individuals who possess the experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively manage a comprehensive emergency management program. The certification is not only recognizing emergency managers, but also emergency management partners in the public, private, and volunteer sectors who dedicate their time and efforts to the field of emergency management.
The term “Comprehensive Emergency Management” means integrating all stakeholders by
strengthening preparedness in all mission areas of emergency activity, for all types of disasters. The “comprehensive” aspect of Comprehensive Emergency Management includes all five mission areas to establish a capabilities-based approach to Preparedness. A capability provides the means to accomplish the mission of: Mitigation, Prevention, Protection, Response, and Recovery for all hazards in a federal, state, tribal, local, volunteer and private sector operating partnership.
The certified individual has shown that they are capable of effectively accomplishing the goals and objectives of disaster/emergency management in all the environments listed above.
The NEPA Certification Program affords the applicant two different levels of certification for which to qualify:
𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 – 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 (𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗠-𝗔): This certification recognizes devoted individuals who possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform effectively within a comprehensive emergency management program. These programs can reside within the public or private sector. The term Nevada Emergency Manager-Associate (NVEM-A) designates prescribed training and educational criteria including a minimum of one year of experience in a position or combination of nonconcurrent positions (with no more than a six month gap between different positions) where at least 25% of the duties are related to All-Hazards Emergency Management and at least 51% of time on duty is spent in the State of Nevada. A Bachelor’s degree or greater in Emergency Management will waive the minimum years of experience.
𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 (𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗠): This certification recognizes devoted individuals who possess advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform effectively within a comprehensive emergency management program. These programs can reside within the public or private sector. The term Nevada Emergency Manager (NVEM) designates prescribed training and educational criteria including a minimum of three years of experience in a position or combination of non-concurrent positions (with no more than a six month gap between different positions) where at least 25% of the duties are related to All-Hazards Emergency Management and at least 51% of time on duty is spent in the State of Nevada.
– A NVEM has a working knowledge of all the basic tenets of emergency management. This is to include mitigation, prevention, protection, response and recovery.
– A NVEM has experience and knowledge of interagency and community wide participation in planning, coordination, and management functions designed to improve emergency management capabilities.
– A NVEM can effectively accomplish the goals and objectives of any emergency management program in all environments.
The completion of the application is to be the sole effort by the applicant. Application package must be submitted electronically.
Preceding each section of requirements is an instructional page that will tell you what is expected in each section. Please be sure to follow the directions. These directions will help you to avoid common mistakes that are made during the application process. Applicants must be able to prove their eligibility for certification by including documentation of required experience, time in service, training, and professional contributions.
If you should have any further questions, please feel free to contact any of the NEPA Certification Committee members listed on the NEPA website at (see Certification Page under About NEPA Certification and Applications).
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴
The NEPA Certification Committee encourages mentoring of applicants by current Committee members or current NVEM members (not required). The best service a mentor can provide is to emphasize the process of being an emergency management professional, as well as the product of becoming a NVEM or NVEM-A. This can be done by encouraging professional development, which will result in meeting the qualifications to be a NVEM or NVEM-A: For example, letting a person know about upcoming training opportunities, or helping them become involved in groups or programs which could result in their being able to document “contributions.” Technical assistance could include helping an applicant document their training courses or instructions on assembling and organizing their application.
The mentor and the applicant must complete the Mentoring Notification Form and transmit to the NEPA Certification Committee Chair agreeing to follow the guidelines as established for mentoring.
It is not appropriate for a mentor to pre-approve an application. Mentors must make clear to the candidate that there is no guarantee that their suggestions guarantee approval of their credentials. Any Certification Committee member who reviews a candidate’s credentials prior to official submission must remove themselves from the review process when it comes before the full NEPA Certification Committee.
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲
Application packages must be submitted electronically. The electronic application must be uploaded to the NEPA website by 11:59 pm EST on the deadline dates to be considered for the current Certification Class. This deadline will allow a minimum of thirty (30) days for review prior to the NEPA Annual Meeting and Work Session. Additional documentation will not be accepted once the application is uploaded to the NEPA website unless requested by the Certification Committee.
𝗙𝗲𝗲𝘀
Application fees are set by the NEPA Board of Directors. Dues are currently set:
– Initial NVEM, NVEM-A, certification submission and review: $50.00
– NVEM, NVEM-A recertification submission and review: $25.00
– ALL APPLICATION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
𝗡𝗘𝗣𝗔 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
NEPA membership is required at time of application submission and upon certification at the NEPA Annual Awards Ceremony. NEPA membership is required for the duration of certification. Annual. If NEPA regular membership lapses during the certification period, a recertification application will not be accepted. A new application will be required.
Membership information can be found at the NEPA website.
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
The completion of the candidate’s application is to be a sole effort by the applicant. Keep in mind that while you are completing your application, you are submitting a document for your professional certification and should reflect as such. The application must be submitted electronically. Neatness counts as part of the review. The NEPA Certification Committee Chair will reject any certification application that is not submitted in this manner. After the application is uploaded, the NEPA President or appointee will confirm the applicant’s NEPA membership is current and payment of the required application fee has been made. Once confirmed, the Committee will be notified, and the application assigned for review. The NEPA President will then transmit an email to the applicant confirming successful submission of the application.
Reviews will be completed, and notification sent within 90 days.
𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Successful candidates will be advised by letter from the Committee. The Committee will confirm that the candidate is a current member in good standing before certification is conferred at the NEPA Annual Awards Ceremony. Certificate and certification pin will be conferred at the NEPA Annual Awards Ceremony. Those individuals who attain certification and are unable to attend the NEPA Annual Awards Ceremony will have their certificate forwarded by mail or arrange to have their certificate and certification award picked up by an attendee. Certificate must be signed for when picked up by a non-recipient.
𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Candidates whose applications are denied will be advised by letter from the Committee Chair. The letter denying certification will outline the deficiencies in the application and steps to take to reconcile them. All candidates get a second chance.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀
Candidates can reapply for certification at any time (there is no waiting period once denied). Candidates are allowed a single resubmission per application fee. If the candidate submits a revised application within one year from the initial denial, no additional application fee will be assessed.
Candidates submitting an application after one (1) year from the initial date of denial must pay an application fee again. If the candidate passes, they become part of the current class cycle.
𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Certification is effective for a period of five (5) years. In order to recertify, candidates must meet recertification requirements by the first day of the 11th month of the fourth (4th) full year following the year in which they were last certified (i.e., if certified 1/1/19, recertification application must be submitted by 11/1/23). Recertification expires for those who fail to recertify every five (5) years as of the NEPA Annual Awards Ceremony.
The certification terms begin and end with the NEPA Annual Awards Ceremony.
𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The designations awarded by the Certification Committee are recognized in the State of Nevada as marks of distinction within the emergency management profession. It is incumbent upon those so designated to make every effort to remain current with rapidly changing technological advances and resultant administrative requirements. Certification maintenance provides certified individuals with an opportunity to demonstrate that they have kept up with these advances and reinforces their commitment to professionalism in the emergency management community. Certified individuals are encouraged to maintain NEPA membership for the duration of certification. If NEPA membership lapses during the certification period, a recertification application will not be accepted. A new application will be required.
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Recertification must be accomplished at five (5) year intervals by submitting documentation that demonstrates continuing education as defined in the recertification application and confirms professional contributions to the emergency management profession since the date of last certification or recertification.
𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
It is the responsibility of the certified individual to maintain their certification and ensure recertification deadlines are met. Utilizing the contact information available in the current NEPA membership database, the NEPA President will make the effort to notify all certified individuals who are current NEPA members approaching recertification eligibility. Certified individuals are encouraged to keep their contact information current in the NEPA membership database on the NEPA website. It is your responsibility.
𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The recipient whose certification expires will no longer be permitted to use the certification designation nor will they be listed as such on the Nevada Emergency Preparedness Association website. Utilizing the contact information available on the current NEPA membership database, the NEPA President will notify the individual that their certification has expired, and they are no longer permitted to use the certification designation in any media format.
After expiration of initial certification, the candidate must submit the certification application fee, complete a new NEPA Certification Application, and submit for Certification Committee review.
If the Certification Committee discovers that an individual with an expired certification continues to use the certification designation in any media format, a letter signed by the Certification Committee Chair will be mailed to said individual with a copy going to their supervisor instructing said individual to cease and desist the use of expired certification designation. The NEPA President will be copied.
𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Current class applications will be maintained until the NEPA Annual Awards Ceremony. Following the NEPA Annual Awards Ceremony, all electronic applications will be maintained/disposed of per NEPA policy. It is the applicant’s responsibility to maintain a copy of the application, if one is desired.