As of January 2026, the FPA offers the following full suite of FireQual-accredited qualifications designed to meet the competency levels set out in BS 8674:2025:
Level 3 Certificate in Foundation Fire Risk Assessment – course dates available now
Level 4 Certificate in Intermediate Fire Risk Assessment – course dates available now
Level 5 Certificate in Advanced Fire Risk Assessment – course dates coming soon
These new qualifications introduce enhanced focus on the core competencies detailed within BS 8674 and the FPA’s training will equip learners with a means to interpret fire safety plans and fire risk assessment action plans. It will also enable an assessment to be made that ensures additional specialist advice can be sought when necessary, for example for securing the right technical knowledge to assess external walls by adopting the guidance contained within PAS 9980. Finally, the new qualifications will enable learners to evaluate the suitability of fire safety features within buildings, ensuring their awareness of the latest best practice techniques and required technical expertise to deliver fire risk assessments.
As a Specialist Awarding Organisation for the fire sector, FireQual, provides nationally recognised Ofqual- and SQA-regulated qualifications that set the knowledge and skills benchmarks for specialist fire and life safety disciplines. Developed in collaboration with industry experts, the new qualifications reflect current industry needs and support fire risk assessors in demonstrating the competencies required at foundation, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Commenting on the launch of the new qualifications, Lewis Ramsay, Group Chief Operating Officer of BAFE Holdings (owners of FireQual) said: “FireQual are at the front-end of leading the charge for high quality, regulated, competency-based qualifications in the fire safety sector to evidence skills and knowledge. These unique fire risk assessment qualifications are aligned to BS 8674:2025 and BAFE’s SP205 Scheme evidence requirements. We are proud to be working with the Fire Protection Association as one of our Approved Training Centres to award these qualifications which offer a progressive pathway for fire risk assessors and set a new benchmark for professional competence in the sector.”
With the Government in England having confirmed that mandatory competence requirements for fire risk assessors will be introduced and independently verified by UKAS-accreditation certification bodies, the FPA’s new suite of qualifications will provide fire risk assessors with a clear route to third party certification through alignment with existing UKAS-accredited schemes.
“We are delighted to announce our suite of new FireQual-accredited fire risk assessment qualifications,” said Luke Ventura, Deputy Head of Training at the FPA. “By aligning with BS 8674:2025, we are equipping fire risk assessors with the latest best practice and technical expertise, enabling them to further demonstrate competency to Duty Holders and Responsible Persons. We are in the process of creating a bridging course for existing learners, helping them close knowledge gaps, gain the equivalent FireQual qualification, and progress to the higher-level qualifications offered by the FPA.”
Learners can complete the qualifications at the FPA’s new Training and Education Centre in Oxfordshire, online, or on-site at client premises. To celebrate the opening of the centre, the FPA is offering a 10% discount on training courses taking place in January, February and March 2026 when booked via the FPA website using code: ‘celeb10’.
Webinar: Understanding the framework for fire risk assessor competency
In November 2025 the FPA delivered a webinar in which its Chief Executive, Dr Gavin Dunn and Deputy Head of Training, Luke Ventura provided an overview of BS 8674:2025, and how the FPA’s new qualifications are designed to meet the competency levels set out within it. Those interested in learning more about the FPA’s new suite of fire risk assessment training courses and the competency framework are invited to watch this freely available webinar on demand.
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