Certifications are very important and necessary for our field. Both are equal when it comes time to testify. Which certification is "better" has never been a question raised nor has it been an issue in over two decades in the business. I have come across several past clients that stated they want a CFI Certification only. I have responded that both certification are equal and it is the person's credentials they should be checking.

PI Licensure is the most important thing in our field. If you are not licensed (41 or 50 states require licensure for Fire Investigations) then you are by state law committing a criminal offense and are subject to (some states are extremely stiff) civil penatlies and criminal charges. Regardless of what many engineers here think as well, many states DO NOT exempt engineers from this requirement (Engineers will need both a PI and PE license in the state).

Many states are currently in the process of changing their rules as they apply to PIs. Washington state, for one, has legislation pending which will no longer Exempt Expert Witnesses or Engineers from the PI Law, and also changes the Reciprocity Statute. Currently it allows outside PIs to work in their state up to 30 days per year. That is being significantly reduced to a proposed 3 days per year and ONLY with previous written authorization by the PI Board. They are also changing the law to require EVERY PI to have a license and no longer can the major firms utilize a "blanket license" by their branch manager.

Believe it or not, I also know several PIs who are working doing Arson Defense work who have never heard of the IAAI, NAFI, or NFPA. The states just require them to have a PI license. Here is a draft of the nearly identical state laws pertaining to what is and is not a "PI". Please take interest in 2(d) & (e).


(1) “Client” means a person who engages an investigator, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity for the purpose of conducting lawful activity on the person’s behalf.
(2) “Investigator” means a person who is a licensed investigator under ORS 703.430 and who engages in the business of obtaining or furnishing, or who solicits or accepts employment to obtain or furnish, information about:
(a) Crimes or wrongs done or threatened against the United States or any state or territory of the United States;
(b) The identity, habits, conduct, business, occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activities, movements, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation or character of any person;
(c) The location, disposition or recovery of lost or stolen property;
(d) The cause of or responsibility for fires, libels, losses, accidents, damages or injuries to persons or property; or
(e) Evidence to be used before any court, board, officer, referee, arbitrator or investigation committee. [1997 c.870 §1; 2001 c.838 §1; 2005 c.613 §9]


Chris Bloom