Qualifying, certifying, and credentialing are the essential steps, led by an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), that help ensure that personnel deploying through mutual aid agreements have the knowledge, experience, training, and capability to perform the duties of their assigned roles.

These steps help to ensure that personnel across the Nation are prepared to perform their incident responsibilities based on criteria that are standard nationwide.

Qualification is the process through which personnel meet the minimum established criteria—training, experience, physical and medical fitness, and capability—to fill specific positions.

Certification/Recertification is the recognition from the AHJ or a third party stating that an individual has met and continues to meet established criteria and is qualified for a specific position.