Intermediate Level Certification

Overview

The Intermediate Level certification is a mid-level certification for emergency managers. This level of certification requires a total of 650 hours of training: 250 additional Core and an additional 100 Non-Core hours (Total 450 Core, 200 Non-Core)

All requirements for Intermediate Level certification are in addition to meeting Basic Level certification requirements.

Those who have earned Intermediate Level certification are entitled to use the ILEM designation.

2026 certification rules
new: 2026 blem-alem applicant certification workbook

Required Courses

Beginning Jan1, 2026, the following will be the new required core training, and help strengthen an EM’s foundation of knowledge while aligning future EM Directors with the Alabama CLEM requirements:

  • IS-10 Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness

  • IS-15 Special Events Contingency Planning for Public Safety Agencies

  • IS-26 Guide to Points of Distribution

  • IS-42 Social Media in Emergency Management

  • IS-130 Exercise Evaluation & Improvement Planning

  • IS-201 Forms Used for the Development of the Incident Action Plan

  • IS-288 The Role of Volunteer Agencies in Emergency Management

  • IS-362 Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools

  • IS-366 Planning for the Needs of Children in Disasters

  • IS-403 Introduction to Individual Assistance

  • IS-559 Local Damage Assessment

  • IS-1000 Public Assistance Program & Eligibility

The required courses listed above account for, typically, 41 hours. This means you’ll need an additional 209 hours of Core training.

Additional Requirements

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

  • A total of 250 hours of 'core' curriculum (FEMA and other emergency management training). The required training courses count toward the 250 hour total.

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