Basic Level Certification

Overview

The Basic Level certification is an entry-level certification for emergency managers. This level of certification requires a total of 300 hours of training - 200 hours of Core, and 100 hours of Non-Core.

Those who have earned Basic Level certification are entitled to use the BLEM designation.

2026 certification rules
new: 2026 Blem - Alem applicant certification workbook

Required Courses

 Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the following will be the new required core training, and help align new EMs with the EMPG funding requirements, as well as setting a foundation for future Directors to align with Alabama CLEM requirements:

  • IS-5 An Introduction to Hazardous Materials

  • IS-100 Introduction to Incident Command

  • IS-120 An Orientation to Community Disaster Exercises

  • IS-200.c ICS for Single and Initial Action Incidents

  • IS-230.d Fundamentals of Emergency Management

  • IS-235 Emergency Planning

  • IS-240 Leadership and Influence

  • IS-241 Decision Making and Problem Solving

  • IS-242 Effective Communication

  • IS-244 Developing and Managing Volunteers

  • IS-317.a Introduction to Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

  • IS-700.b An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

  • IS-800.d National Response Framework, an Introduction

  • IS-2000 National Preparedness Goal and System Overview

  • IS-2500 National Prevention Framework, an Introduction

  • IS-2600 National Protection Framework, an Introduction

  • IS-2700 National Mitigation Framework, an Introduction

  • IS-2900.a National Disaster Recovery Framework, an Introduction

  • IS-2901 Introduction to Community Lifelines

  • Q-890 Emergency Response to Terrorism

The required courses listed above account for, typically, 76 hours. This means you’ll need an additional 130 hours of Core training.

Additional Requirements

In addition to the above-referenced required courses, this level of certification requires:

  • A total of 200 hours of 'core' curriculum (FEMA and other emergency management training). The required training courses reference above count toward the 200 hour total.

  • A total of 100 hours of 'optional' training. Optional training includes other public safety and general management training and education.