The Alabama 9-1-1 Board Public Safety Telecommunicator Program officially launched on January 3, 2023. When enacted into law in Act 22-387, it was mandated that the Alabama 9-1-1 Board establish a certification program to train and certify public safety telecommunicators (PST) employed by primary Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). In the latter half of 2022, the Board staff began implementing its Certification Program.
The two main components to accomplish compliance with the new Program are:
- All non-certified PSTs hired before July 1, 2022, must take a 100-question competency exam, or be enrolled in a Board-approved 40-hour Public Safety Telecommunicator course.
- All PSTs hired after July 1, 2022, must be enrolled in a Board-approved 40-hour Public Safety Telecommunicator course within 180 days of the hire date.
- Pick a date to administer the exam.
- Submit this form Intent to Test. Only one form should be filled out per TEST DATE, not per dispatcher. (Ex. Three PST's take the exam the same day, only one form needs to be completed.)
- Once the form is submitted, Alabama 9-1-1 Board staff will assign the PST the exam through Virtual Academy for the date given. The PST will be able to access it on that date.
There are 100 questions. Each PST will be given 100 minutes to complete the test. Someone needs to proctor the exam (this proctor must be named on the intent to test form). It should not be taken while on duty at a console due to the time limit set. A passing grade is considered 70 or higher.
There is no official study guide, but there are multiple Roll Calls on Virtual Academy that can assist in exam preparation. Click here to see the list of Roll Calls: Competency Exam Prep Roll Call List.
Each PST will be given a total of 3 attempts. If the first attempt is unsuccessful, you must resubmit the Intent to Test form, and another exam will be assigned through Virtual Academy.
All new PSTs hired after July 1, 2022, unless they have already taken a board-approved 40-hour course at a previous agency. In this case, they need to upload their PST certification when completing the PST Certification Status Form.
The PST must be enrolled in a course within 180 days of the hire date. Completion is required no more than 180 days following. Being enrolled alone is the step to transitioning your agency into compliance.
Each course approved by the AL 9-1-1 Board has a different cost according to the individual vendor. However, we will refund the course's total cost and materials (we cannot pay for hourly wage, travel expenses, or meals).
If you are one of Alabama's 106 primary PSAPs, complete this form to receive a reimbursement for the approved PST course your agency paid for: PST Certification Course Request for Payment Form. If you are not sure or are not in a primary PSAP, email Laura. For tips on filling out this form, click here.
We will reimburse courses paid for after July 1, 2022 by primary PSAPs.
- NENA TCC (online) https://www.nena.org/page/tcc
- APCO PST 1 (online or in-person) https://www.apcointl.org/apco_course_category/pst/
- IAED ETC (online or in-person) https://www.emergencydispatch.org/what-we-do/courses-and-training?tab=etc-tab
- PowerPhone PST Course https://www.powerphone.com/product/site-licensed-training
- Smart Horizons 911 PST Basic Program (online) 60 hours https://psts.smarthorizons.biz/911-public-safety-telecommunicator-basic-program
If all required fields are not filled accurately, hovering over the submit button will provide a list of fields that must be completed. If you have any other issues, contact Laura at laura@al911board.com or call her at 334-440-7912.
We understand occasional circumstances need to be assessed outside the norm. Reach out to the Board so we can discuss exigent circumstances. We will consider allowances on a case-by-case basis.
Public Safety Telecommunicators (PSTs) are required to complete 12 hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) annually to remain compliant with state certification requirements. These hours can be earned through a combination of in-person and online training. PSTs should upload their certificates of completion (outside of Virtual Academy CEUs) to the ABC app under their individual accounts to keep all CEU records in one centralized location. For a list of suggested CEU courses, click here: Recommended CEU List.
You can find step by step instructions with images for submitting a PST Status Form for a new PST who is not certified here.
You can find step by step instructions with images on submitting a PST Certification Status for for a PST that has left your agency here.
You can find step by step instructions accompanied with images on submitting a PST Certification Status for for a PST name or email change here.
When a PST leaves your agency, do not delete their account from your organization. Please move them to the ALSPT-1 Unaffiliated Group. This allows them to retain their training records. There are full instructions on making this change here.