Enroll Now for NWCG Online Courses | Schedule, Fee Structure
Why are you waiting when NWCG Online Courses are accepting applications worldwide? The full form of NWCG (National Wildfire Coordinating Group) was established in 1976 through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior.
The federal agencies provide NWCG funding through their fire management program budget allocations. If you’re pursuing a career in wildland firefighting or enhancing your qualifications, enrolling in NWCG (National Wildfire Coordinating Group) online courses is an excellent way to get started.
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) provides national leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. These courses are essential for firefighters, crew bosses, and other personnel managing wildland fires across federal, state, and local agencies. Let’s dive into the details of NWCG courses, including their schedule, fee structure, and frequently asked questions.
NWCG Course Guide and Schedule
For a full list of NWCG courses, you can consult the NWCG Course Guide or the Field Manager’s Course Guide. These guides provide detailed information about course content, prerequisites, and progression pathways for different wildland fire positions.
NWCG courses List:
Winter Fire School NWCG classes – January 24 & 25, 2025 – St. George, Utah *Registration opens December 1st.
| Classes | Prerequisites | Pre-Class | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-400 Advanced ICS | I-300 | None | 16 |
| L-280 Followership to Leadership | L-180 | Yes | 16-20 |
| S-215 Fire Operations in the Urban Interface | FFT1/WFF2 | None | 16-24 |
You can also find specialized NWCG Online Courses like M-410 Facilitative Instructor (Nov 12-15, 2024) and S-404 Safety Officer (March 6-7, 2025) if you’re looking to move into leadership or management roles.
What are NWCG Courses?
A variety of training courses are offered by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). NWCG training supports the performance of these personnel in their positions. Which are fully mobilized in the event of forest fire and all other threats, and carry out successful operations. NWCG courses cater to various skill levels and job roles, popular courses include:
- S-130: Firefighter Training
- S-131: Firefighter Type 1
- S-190: Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
- S-290: Intermediate Fire Behavior
These NWCG courses can be taken online, and many of them are part of the certification process for different fireline positions.
Course Duration and Pre-requisites
The most frequently asked question is “How long do NWCG courses take?” So we would like to discuss about it. The duration of the NWCG course varies from course to course. However many online NWCG courses can take as long as two weeks to a month to complete. For example:
- S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior: This course takes approximately one week to complete.
- S-130 Firefighter Training: Normally 2 weeks.
- S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior: It takes about 32-40 hours a month to complete this course.
S-290 or S-215 (Fire Operations in the Urban Interface) Some courses require prior work experience and completion of entry-level courses such as S-130/S-190. In addition, some courses may include pre-course work. Such as need to be completed before attending the main sessions.
NWCG Online Courses and Blended Learning Options
Many NWCG Online Courses of different types are offered here. But NWCG also offers blended courses, which combine online learning with practical in-house components, and this course is for those who prefer more flexibility. Fully online courses are provided for most introductory and intermediate certifications.
These courses are designed to prepare you for various positions in wildland fire management. Upon successful completion of the course and any required assessments, you are provided with a certificate of completion. Commonly sought courses are as follows:
- NWCG S-190 Online Course
- NWCG S-130 Online Course
- NWCG S-290 Online Course
- NWCG Leadership Courses (L-180, L-280).
Nwcg certification requirements
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has several requirements for certification for wildland fire positions, including:
- TrainingRequired training is linked to position performance and is designed to ensure the safety of responders and operations.
- ExperienceRequired experience includes satisfactory performance in a prerequisite position and completion of a position task book.
- Physical fitness personnel must meet established physical fitness levels for wildland fire assignments.
- CurrencyCurrency can be maintained by performing successfully in a position within the given timeframes.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)RPL is available for some positions, but each NWCG member agency determines if it will be used.
- Certification and RecertificationThe employing agency is responsible for certification and documentation of completion of the position task book.
The NWCG Position Catalog has individual position pages that list the qualification requirement
Fee Structure and Enrollment Process
The cost of NWCG Online Courses can often vary depending on the course and certification level. For example:
- Basic courses like S-130 and S-190 may cost around $150 to $250.
- Advanced or specialized courses, such as S-290 or I-300 Intermediate ICS, typically cost between $300-$500.
To enroll in a class:
- Complete a nomination form and you will receive a “nomination received” email.
The roll for each class is posted on the NWCG Class Schedule table.
Refund Policy
- Cancellations at least 10 days before the first day of class are fully refundable.
- A 50 percent refund will be offered if cancelled within 10 days of class.
- No-shows will be billed 100 percent.
Payment Information
Payment for classes can be made:
- By phone: Call UVU Accounts Receivable at 801-863-8049.
- By mail: (include invoice number)
- Utah Valley University
Attn: Accounts Receivable
Mail Code 109
800 West University Pkwy
Orem, UT 84058
- Utah Valley University
- Online: UFRA Wildland Store (DO NOT PAY ONLINE IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED AN INVOICE.)
If you have any questions on payment or billing please contact Emilee Stokes at [email protected].
