The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has the authority and responsibility for qualification, certification, and credentialing within its organization or jurisdiction.

The establishment of national standards provide common, compatible structures for the qualification and certification of emergency management personnel.

Qualification, certification, and credentialing are the essential steps to help ensure that personnel deploying under mutual aid agreements can perform their assigned roles.

• Qualifying: Personnel meet the minimum established standards (including training, experience, physical and medical fitness) to fill specific positions.
• Certification: recognition from an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) or a third party that an individual has completed qualification for a position (one example of a third party is an accredited body such as a state licensure board for medical professionals).
• Credentialing: documentation – typically an identification card or badge – that identifies personnel and verifies their qualifications for a particular position.

NIMS Overview of Supporting Tools and Aids

NIMS Guidelines for Credentialing Personnel (PDF)