Pursuant to §27-97 of the Code of Virginia, the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC) prohibits any person from designing, setting up, conduction, or supervising the design, setup or conducting of any fireworks display, either inside a building or structure or outdoors, unless that person is certified by the State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) as a Pyrotechnician. At least one certified Pyrotechnician is required to be on the site where the fireworks display is being setup and conducted.
Once you successfully pass your exam and receive your exam score and certificate visit the Virginia Department of Fire Programs for more information on obtaining an application for Pyrotechnician certification.
Certification exams are available for the following:
| Certifications | Cost | |
| Pyrotechnics - Aerial (Pyrotechnics Display Technician) |
$130.00 | NFPA 1123 Code (2010) |
| Pyrotechnics - Proximate (Pyrotechnics Close-Proximity Technician) |
$130.00 | NFPA 1126 Code (2011) |
To schedule an exam date/time and location, click the Schedule Your Exam button below. Once your exam is scheduled you will be directed to the Virginia Pyrotechnics website where you register for the exam and pay the testing fee.
- Exam registrations and payment must be completed no later than 3 business days prior to the exam session. No late registrations will be accepted.
- In order to schedule and take both exams in one day, register and complete payment for each exam separately in back-to-back sessions.
- Official certificates will be mailed to the candidates at the address entered when scheduling the session.
Frequently Asked Questions...
Will there be more dates scheduled around the state?
Yes, more dates and sessions will be listed. It is up to each college to offer the sessions. We expect more colleges will be coming on line as the program continues.
Why so expensive? I've already paid $375 for both the temporary certifications, now I'm looking at another $260 for the tests? It couldn't be that costly to create and administer the test per person.
Development does cost and we have created an online registration system, which also costs. The actual proctoring also costs. The rates are as low as we could make them.
Is there a study guide, sample test, or what code book is this based on?
The exams are constructed based on the guidelines found in NFPA 1123 (2010) - Aerial and NFPA 1126 (2011) - Proximate.
Can there be some clarification on the differences in the state code and NFPA? Specifically NFPA, PGI, and many companies have 70' per inch clearance with areal shells, and the temporary state certification said 100' per inch. Will this increased distance be in the proximate test too? How much?
Again, the exams are constructed based on the guidelines found in NFPA 1123 (2010) - Aerial and NFPA 1126 (2011) - Proximate. As far as actual Virginia policy is concerned, you need to discuss that with the State Fire Marshall's office.
How many questions are on it?
100 questions
What is a passing score, how many can you miss?
70% is passing
Is it short answer or multiple-choice?
Multiple-choice
Have there been many exams given yet?
No, this is a new required certification exam.
What's the percentage that fails and retests?
We don't know since this is a brand new program/exam.