Class Attendance Policies

Registration, Payment, Attendance & Cancellation Information

The Illinois Fire Chiefs Association (IFCA) and Illinois Fire Chiefs Educational and Research Foundation (IFCERF) are committed to providing high-quality educational programs that support fire service professionals throughout Illinois.

Please review the following policies before registering for a class or educational program.

Before You Register: Participants are responsible for reviewing applicable course prerequisites, payment requirements, cancellation deadlines, and attendance expectations.

Registration & Participation

Participants are responsible for:

Meeting all course prerequisites prior to registration.
Confirming attendance before the first day of class.
Maintaining a professional learning environment.
Completing all required coursework and assignments.
Respecting instructors, fellow participants, and training facilities.

Payment Policy

Payment Deadline: Payment is due in full at least seven (7) days before the first day of class.

Departments may submit a purchase order in lieu of payment prior to the course.
Participants with unpaid balances may be removed from the class roster.
Course completion certificates and certification submissions may be withheld until payment is received.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Refund eligibility is determined by when the cancellation request is received in relation to the scheduled course start date.

Cancellation Timing	Refund
More than 7 days before the course	100%
3 to 7 days before the course	75%
After the course begins	No Refund

Additional Cancellation Conditions

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to the IFCA office.
Participants who register but do not attend without cancelling remain responsible for the full course fee.

Submit a Cancellation Request

Attendance Requirements

Participants must attend all required class sessions to receive course completion credit, certificates, or eligibility for certification testing.

Certificates & Certification

Course completion certificates will be emailed within two weeks of successful course completion.
Many IFCA educational programs qualify for Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) certification credit.
Participants are responsible for ensuring the courses they register for meet their individual certification requirements.

Grant-Funded Programs

Certain educational programs may be supported through grant funding and may have additional eligibility or attendance requirements. Participants who fail to attend grant-funded classes may be responsible for associated course fees.

Scholarships

Scholarship recipients should follow the instructions provided with their award and notify the IFCA office after registering to ensure scholarship funds are applied appropriately.