In August 2025, the Commission on Professional Credentialing® (CPC®) surpassed 4,000 credentialed professionals. At 4,006 designations, this is the highest number of credentialed professionals CPC has ever awarded. Formed in 2000 to award designation to fire and emergency service professionals worldwide, CPC, along with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International® (CFAI®) operates within the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE).
“This tremendous achievement is the direct result of the dedication of CPC designees, commissioners, staff, and peer reviewers,” commented CPSE Board President Mary Cameli, CFO, Fire Chief, Mesa Fire and Medical, Arizona. “Being a CPC designee myself, I appreciate how thorough and rewarding the process is. This milestone is impressive both because of the total count but also for how quickly we have grown from 3000 to 4000.”
The mission of CPSE is to lead the fire and emergency services to excellence through the continuous quality improvement process of accreditation, credentialing, and education. CPC Credentialing is a professional designation model that recognizes career excellence and offers strategies for continuous personal improvement. CPC offers seven distinct designations covering the various levels and specialties of individuals. CPC provides an application process that individuals use to develop their portfolio, training and support while developing their portfolio, and access to experienced peer reviewers.
From its inception, CPSE has valued having a diversity of stakeholder involvement, including company and chief officers, labor, city/county management, standard development organizations, insurance, and the federal government on our board and commissions. Credentialing is carried out in large part by a multitude of dedicated volunteers. Thousands of individuals over the last 25 years have contributed to this milestone achievement by establishing the CPC designation process, developing seven designations, and serving as CPC commissioners, peer reviewers, and mentors.
“Reaching this historic milestone of 4,000 designations is a testament to the importance of continued professional development in the fire and emergency service,” shared CPC Chair Alexander Henderson, Ph.D., CTO, Associate Professor Marist University. “Credentialing continues to be the premier pathway for recognizing professional accomplishments and spurring future growth, and the thousands of CPC designees, both new and veteran, should be proud of their achievements. The communities served by CPC designees should share in that pride knowing that these progressive leaders are intently focused on professional excellence. Importantly, this milestone would not have been possible without the dedicated, expert peer reviewers and mentors that work so hard on behalf of the CPC. They are truly the engine of the credentialing process, and we are grateful for their time, efforts, and insights in shaping current and future fire and emergency service leaders.”
CPC designees work in many arenas (fire and EMS, law enforcement, emergency management, private sector, local, state, federal, and tribal governments, and universities) and throughout the world with designees residing in the United States, Canada, Germany, Guam Italy, Japan, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, and United Kingdom.
“The story behind the growth from 3,000 to 4,000 designees is one of technology advancements, program efficiencies, and industry collaboration,” highlighted CPSE Chief Executive Officer Preet Bassi. “We are excited to welcome individuals that believe in introspection and continuous improvement to the growing CPSE Community.”
CPC has been focused on significant process improvements over the last two years. In 2024, CPC transformed its application process replacing the previous Word document with a contemporary digital platform. CPC has also revamped its training offerings, the voting mechanism used by CPC to award designations, and the continuing education of peer reviewers. At the same time, CPC has enhanced the requirements for renewal. These process improvements have boosted the new designation numbers.
“Reaching 4,000 designations is more than just a milestone—it represents 4,000 individual journeys of professional growth,” remarked Mike Higgins, CFO, CTO, CEMSO, CPC Program Manager. “I’ve had the privilege of witnessing these professionals’ dedication firsthand. They’re not simply accumulating credentials; they’re investing significant time and effort into self-improvement. Each designation signifies countless hours of study, reflection, and application of knowledge. It’s a testament to our industry’s commitment to continuous learning and excellence.”
Learn more about CPC credentialing at the CPSE website and see the list of the 4,000 plus designees in the Credentialing Directory.