National Qualification System Implementation Objectives

FEMA was tasked with implementing 6 USC 320 Credentialing and Typing in the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (PKEMRA) and developed the National Qualification System (NQS). The NQS provides: 

• Foundational guidelines for jurisdictions on the qualification of personnel resources within the National Incident Management System (NIMS); 
• A common language and standardized approach for qualifying, certifying, and credentialing incident management and support personnel; and 
• Tools for jurisdictions and organizations to share resources seamlessly. 

The ability to provide mutual aid accurately and rapidly is critical during disasters, but mutual aid partners often lack a common language and standardized approach to support the sharing of qualified personnel. Using the NQS ensures personnel deploying have demonstrated the minimum capabilities to perform the duties of their assigned incident roles.