Education

General Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How much do NASAR classes and/or certifications cost?

Answer: Fee schedule for NASAR Courses and Certifications

Question: If I pass my SARTECH II written exam and do not take the practical field exams, but I am awarded a SARTECH III certificate, can I take the field exams for SARTECH II some time after that and have the written exam considered valid for the SARTECH II certificate?

Answer: If you pass the written exam for SARTECH II, you will be certified as a SARTECH III because the knowledge tested at the III level is also tested at the II level.

Persons failing (or not taking) the practical (skills portion) of the SARTECH II exam have up to one year to re-take the failed and/or untaken stations of the practical exam.

If a person fails one or two of the six practical stations, at the discretion of the Lead Evaluator, they may be allowed to retest up to two stations on the same day they were originally failed. If this is not an option due to time constraints or other reasons, they may retest at a subsequent exam.

Payment for the exam of $55 for a NASAR member or $70 for a non-member covers the original exam and one retest. If one or two stations are repeated at the original exam, this is considered a retest. If a third exam is needed, repayment is required.

If the entire exam is not passed within a year, the entire exam must be retaken.

Questionn: Do I have to take NASAR courses in order to take NASAR's SARTECH certification exams?

Answer: While we encourage NASAR students to take the appropriate courses to prepare for the SARTECH certifications, they are not required as prerequisites.

Read the information posted with each course and certification for specifics.

Question: I am a beginner in search and rescue. Which course or courses should I attend?

Answer: We suggest you start with the "Introduction to Search and Rescue" course. It is our most basic course and offers training in map and compass reading and basic search theory. If you already have a background in emergency services (Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement), you may want to jump right to our Intermediate course, "Fundamentals of Search and Rescue". This course includes all of the basic knowledge from the ISAR course and also has a skills component to help get you ready for participation in actual missions.

Question: I would like to become an Instructor Trainer or Instructor

Answer:
Individuals interested in applying for NASAR Instructor Trainer/Instructor positions please submit the attached application and all documentation listed to the Education Services Director at National Association for Search and Rescue, PO Box 232020, Centreville, VA 20120-2020. Incomplete application packets will not be accepted.

Question: I want to become NASAR trained/certified. How do I sign up for your courses/exams in my area?

Answer: Thank you for your interest in NASAR's Educational Program. Most of our courses and certification exams are posted on our website.

In the event the course/certification exam you are seeking is not available at a convenient time or location, we encourage you to contact an Educator in your area http://www.nasar.org/nasar/instructors.php that offers the program in which you are interested. Often, our Educators will schedule a course or exam when alerted of the interest. If there are no instructors in your area, you may need to broaden your instructor search to surrounding states as some of our instructors are willing to travel.

If you are interested in becoming an Instructor, Evaluator or Lead Evaluator for NASAR please see the Educator Workshops on the website.

Question: Can I arrange for a course to be taught at my agency or team facility?

Answer: NASAR Facilitated Course Delivery

In order to provide a greater level of service to SAR Agencies and Teams requesting NASAR courses, the NASAR Facilitated Course Delivery has been developed. NASAR courses, not certifications, fall under this delivery method. Introduction to Search and Rescue, Fundamentals of Search and Rescue, Advanced Search and Rescue and Managing the Lost Person Incident are the main courses available under this course delivery.

To utilize this program, an Agency or Team will contact the NASAR Education Services Director to request a course (ISAR, FUNSAR, MLPI or ADSAR) at the Agency or Team facility. The Agency or Team will request a time period for the course to be taught, with alternative dates if possible.

The Education Services Director will conduct an internal search and schedule an Instructor to teach the course with the goal being to seek the closest geographically located Instructor. Depending upon the number of students in the course more than one Instructor may be needed.

Once the Instructor has been scheduled, NASAR will provide the Agency or Team an invoice detailing the course fee, instructor fee, travel cost and per diem per day for lodging and meals and rental vehicle if needed. Upon NASAR receipt of a Purchase Order or payment for the course, the Instructor will be notified the course is definite. The Instructor will make travel arrangements and be the Instructor of record.

NASAR will be responsible for reimbursing the Instructor for costs incurred.

The Agency or Team is responsible for placing textbook orders for the class through the NASAR bookstore.

The Instructor will provide course paperwork to the Education Services Director within two weeks of the close of the course. All passing students will receive the appropriate NASAR course certificate and patch in the mail.

To begin this process, please call or email Janet Adere, Education Services Director at (703) 222-6277 ext 21.

Question: Why are some of your Instructors and Lead Evaluators charging different prices for the same course or certification exam?

Answer: Please note that NASAR charges one price for all courses and certification exams... $55 for NASAR members and $70 for non-members. If you are being asked to pay additional fees, they are being assessed by the Instructor or Lead Evaluator from whom you are receiving training/certification. Those additional fees DO NOT come to NASAR. Typically, these fees are assessed to cover the Educator's expenses such as transportation, lodging, facility rental, meals and administrative costs (copies, shipping, etc.).
Our Educators operate as Independent Contractors, therefore NASAR does not control the non-NASAR fees that are charged. If you are concerned that you are being asked to pay an unreasonably high fee, we encourage you to "shop around" for Educators who may be able to conduct the course/exam at a lower cost to you.

Question: What are the certification criteria for the SARTECH I certification?

Answer: While the certification criteria are current, some of the procedures in this documment have changed. For the current procedures see Chapter 4 of the Program Administration Manual located on the website here http://www.nasar.org/nasar/program_administration.php

Click here to download the SARTECH I Certification Criteria.

Question: What are the certification criteria for SARTECH III and II certification?

Answer: While the certification criteria are current, some of the procedures in this documment have changed. For the current procedures see Chapter 4 of the Program Administration Manual located on the website.

Click here to download the SARTECH III and II certification criteria.

Question: There are no NASAR instructors in my area. How do I obtain NASAR training?

Answer: If there are no instructors in your area, you may need to broaden your instructor search to surrounding states with the understanding that some of our instructors are willing to travel.

If you are interested in becoming an Instructor, Evaluator or Lead Evaluator for NASAR please see the Educator Workshops on the website.

Training. Certification. Advocacy. One voice... that others may live.

Education

General Information

Frequently Asked Questions