Become NFI Certified Today and
Market Your Professional Status!

WHAT IS NFI?
The National Fireplace Institute® (NFI) is the professional certification division of the HPB Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization for the hearth industry. NFI’s objective is to increase public safety by establishing meaningful credentials for professionals involved in planning and installing residential hearth appliance and venting systems. NFI, established in 2002, certifies planners and installers in three hearth product categories based upon fuel type:
* NFI Gas Specialist
* NFI Woodburning Specialist
* NFI Pellet Specialist.

NFI also recognizes individuals who have successfully gained all three NFI Certifications as Master Hearth Professionals. These individuals have reached the highest level of certification in the hearth industry.

WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR FIREPLACE/HEARTH INSTALLER CREDENTIALS?
In two words: public safety. Hearth products, because they involve flame, heat and venting of combustion products, require specialized knowledge for planning and installing. The NFI exams are the only exams that test the knowledge needed to properly plan and install hearth products and their venting systems.

WHERE IS NFI RECOGNIZED?
NFI Certification is already recognized as the basis for a specialty license to install hearth products in a number of state, county and municipal jurisdictions, including the State of Rhode Island, Newcastle County, DE, the City of Lawrence, KS, the City of Lincoln, NE, the city of Salina, KS, and Pitkin County, CO.

WHAT DOES NFI CERTIFICATION MEAN?
NFI Certification identifies those individuals who have passed an exam based on the knowledge needed to properly plan and install hearth products and their venting systems. Certification is regarded as an excellent indication of professional training and commitment.

WHY CERTIFY? WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Building officials prefer to work with certified contractors who have demonstrated their commitment to professional excellence. Manufacturers prefer qualified installers because they know their products are more likely to be installed correctly. Consumers feel more confident hiring certified specialists because of their experience and knowledge. NFI provides certified specialists with tools to identify and promote themselves, such as wallet ID cards, patches, and decals. NFI Certified Specialists are also listed at www.nficertified.org.

Getting NFI CEUs
Most CEU-accredited courses are created and offered by industry sponsors such as HPBA affiliates, manufacturers, industry trainers, and other specialty groups. These groups apply to the NFI CEU Committee to get their course accredited for NFI CEUs. Simply attend the accredited course and the sponsor will notify NFI of your attendance. We even keep track of your attendance for you. It’s just that simple!

If you hold 1 Certification, you need:
TECHNICAL - 12 Credits
SAFETY, HEALTH & LIABILITY - 4 Credits
ELECTIVES - 8 Credits
TOTAL - 24 CEU Credits

If you hold 2 OR 3 Certifications, you need:
TECHNICAL - 16 Credits
SAFETY, HEALTH & LIABILITY - 4 Credits
ELECTIVES - 12 Credits
TOTAL - 32 CEU Credits