Certified Emergency Power
Systems Specialist for
Facility Managers
Program Overview
CEPSS Program Overview 2025 Page 1 of 9
Certification Content Outline
Contents
About This Program Overview ..........................................................................................................................3
Introduction to NFPA Certifications ...............................................................................................................3
Program Description............................................................................................................................................3
Eligibility Requirements .....................................................................................................................................3
Exam Specifications ............................................................................................................................................4
Program Fees .........................................................................................................................................................4
Body of Knowledge ..............................................................................................................................................4
Preparing for the Exam .......................................................................................................................................4
Domain Weighting and Exam Blueprint .........................................................................................................5
Domain Weighting .............................................................................................................................................5
Exam Blueprint ...................................................................................................................................................5
Certification Maintenance .................................................................................................................................7
Recertification Requirements Point System................................................................................................8
CEPSS Program Overview 2025 Page 2 of 9
About This Program Overview
This program overview provides details specific to the Certified Emergency Power Systems
Specialist (CEPSS) for Facility Managers certification program including the exam blueprint and
domain weighting criteria. The Certification Candidate Handbook, available at [Link]/for-
professionals/certification/cepss, will familiarize certification candidates with the overall general
policies and procedures of NFPA certification programs. It’s important that candidates read and
understand both documents prior to applying for this certification.
Introduction to NFPA Certifications
Founded in 1896, the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) is a global self-funded
nonprofit membership organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic
loss from fire, electrical, and other hazards. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through
300+ consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy, and
by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. The NFPA mission
is to help save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge, and passion.
NFPA provides world-class professional certifications to individuals around the globe by adhering to
the best practices of the certification industry and maintaining the highest standards of personnel
certification. NFPA uses experienced subject matter experts who actively work in their respective
industries to guide the creation of the certification programs. NFPA certifications are intended for
professionals who want to validate their knowledge and skills and demonstrate their commitment
to professionalism, upholding industry standards, and continued learning. Certifications are
awarded to professionals who meet the eligibility criteria, pass a rigorous examination, and, when
required, successfully complete a practicum.
Program Description
The Certified Emergency Power Systems Specialist (CEPSS) for Facility Managers certification
program is for facility managers from a wide array of industries. This certification highlights the
candidate’s knowledge of the many challenges associated with emergency and standby power
systems and stored electrical energy emergency and standby power systems, as well as how to
keep their facilities in compliance with the 2016 editions of NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency and
Standby Power Systems and NFPA 111, Standard on Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and
Standby Power Systems.
The CEPSS program application can be completed online by going to the NFPA certification
management system (CMS) at onlinecertifi[Link]/nfpassa.
Eligibility Requirements
All candidates (regardless of job function) for the CEPSS certification must have attained a high
school diploma or equivalent before being allowed to sit for the exam.
CEPSS Program Overview 2025 Page 3 of 9
Exam Specifications
The CEPSS exam is a proctored computer-based exam available at in-person testing centers or via
online remote proctoring. Exam specifications include:
• Open book exam based on 2016 editions of NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems, and NFPA 111, Standard on Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and
Standby Power Systems
• 3-hour time limit
• 100 multiple-choice questions
• Currently available in English only
Program Fees
CEPSS program fees are collected for the following:
• Initial program application (includes initial examination fee)
• Retest (if required)
• Recertification at the end of every three (3)-year certification period
For the most up-to-date pricing, see the website at [Link]/for-professionals/certification/cepss.
Body of Knowledge
NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems and NFPA 111, Standard on Stored
Electrical Energy Emergency and Standby Power Systems serve as the bodies of knowledge for the
CEPSS certification exam. The official printed version of NFPA 110 and NFPA 111 are the only
references allowed to be used during the exam.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to obtain these reference sources for study purposes and to have
present during the examination.
Note: NFPA 110 and NFPA 111 are available for ordering on the website at [Link]/catalog or by
phone at 1-800-344-3555.
Preparing for the Exam
NFPA offers training solutions for practicing and preparing for the certification exam, including the
NFPA 110 and NFPA 111 (2016) Online Training Series ([Link]/en/for-professionals/training-for-
me/buy-building-and-life-safety-training/NFPA-110-and-111-OLL).
NFPA online training can be found at [Link]/for-professionals/training-for-me.
CEPSS Program Overview 2025 Page 4 of 9
Domain Weighting and Exam Blueprint
The table below indicates the percentage (%) of exam content (exam items) for the seven domains
of the CEPSS exam. The exam blueprint lists the sub-components of each of those domains.
Domain Weighting
Domains % of Exam
I. Classification of Emergency Power Supply Systems (EPSSs) 9%
II. Classification of Stored Energy Emergency Power Supply Systems (SEPSS) 7%
III. Emergency Power Supply (EPSS) Energy Sources, Converters and Accessories 11%
IV. Stored Energy Emergency Power Supply (SEPSS): Energy Sources, Converts,
11%
Inverters, and Accessories
V. Transfer Switch Equipment and Protection 25%
VI. Installation and Environmental Consideration 16%
VII. Routine Maintenance and Operational Testing 21%
Exam Blueprint
I. Classification of Emergency Power Supply Systems (EPSSs)
A. NFPA 110
4.1 General
4.2 Class
4.3 Type
4.4 Level
II. Classification of Stored-Energy Emergency Power Supply Systems (SEPSS)
A. NFPA 111
4.1 General
4.2 Type
4.3 Class
4.4 Category
4.5 Level
III. Emergency Power Supply (EPSS): Energy Sources, Converters, and Accessories
A. NFPA 110
5.1 Energy Sources
5.2 Energy Converters – General
5.3 Energy Converters – Temperature Maintenance
5.4 Energy Converters – Capacity
5.5 Energy Converters – Fuel Supply
5.6 Rotating Equipment
CEPSS Program Overview 2025 Page 5 of 9
IV. Stored Energy Emergency Power Supply (SEPSS): Energy Sources, Converters,
Inverters, and Accessories
A. NFPA 111
5.1 Energy Sources
5.2 Energy Conversion Equipment – General
5.3 Instrumentation
V. Transfer Switch Equipment and Protection
A. NFPA 110
6.1 Transfer Switch Equipment
6.2 ATS Features
6.3 Load Switching (Load Shedding)
6.4 Bypass-Isolation Switches
6.5 Protection
B. NFPA 111
6.1 Transfer Switches and Protection
6.2 Transfer Switches
6.3 Load Switching (Load Shedding)
6.4 Bypass Switches
6.5 Protection
VI. Installation and Environmental Consideration
A. NFPA 110
7.2.1 Indoor EPS Installations
7.2.2 Outdoor EPS Installations
7.3 Lighting
7.4 Mounting
7.5 Vibration
7.6 Noise
7.7 Heating, Cooling, and Ventilating
7.8 Installed EPS Cooling System
7.9 Fuel System
7.10 Exhaust System
7.11 Protection
7.12 Distribution
7.13 Installation Acceptance
B. NFPA 111
7.1 Installation and Environmental Consideration - General
7.2 Location
7.3 Heating, Cooling, Ventilating, and Humidity Control
7.4 Protection
7.5 Distribution
7.6 Installation Acceptance
CEPSS Program Overview 2025 Page 6 of 9
VII. Routine Maintenance and Operational Testing
A. NFPA 110
8.1 Routine Maintenance and Operational Testing - General
8.2 Manuals, Special Tools, and Spare Parts
8.3 Maintenance and Operational Testing
8.4 Operational Inspection and Testing
8.5 Records
B. NFPA 111
8.1 Routine Maintenance and Operational Testing - General
8.2 Manuals, Special Tools, and Spare Parts
8.3 Maintenance and Operational Testing
8.4 Operational Inspection and Testing
8.5 Load Testing
Certification Maintenance
Once you attain your CEPSS certification, you must recertify every three years. Failure to meet all
recertification requirements within that three-year period will result in the expiration of your
certification and will require you to reapply as a new CEPSS candidate. NFPA will send reminder
emails in advance of your certification expiration date to the email address you provide in your CMS
account. It is your responsibility to ensure this email is up to date.
Recertification applications are submitted online at onlinecertifi[Link]/nfpassa. For the
most up-to-date pricing, see the website at [Link]/for-professionals/certification/cepss.
Recertification Points System
Recertification of your CEPSS is accomplished by accumulating a required amount of
recertification points, as shown in the table below, before your three-year certification period ends.
It is important that you begin accumulating the required points as soon as possible. If college
courses are declared for training hours, the same course cannot be taken twice within the three-
year recertification period, and the candidate must convert credit hours to actual hours spent in the
classroom.
It is highly recommended that you track your accumulated recertification points over the three-year
period using the NFPA CMS at onlinecertifi[Link]/nfpassa.
CEPSS Program Overview 2025 Page 7 of 9
Recertification Requirements Point System
CEPSS Recertification Requirements
Certificants are required to submit a minimum of 10 points of documented professional development
for recertification. The 10 points must be earned during the three-year recertification cycle and must
be from the following categories:
Minimum Maximum
Professional Development Category Allotted Points Points Points
Participation in training related to 1 point per contact hour 3 10
emergency and standby power systems or
stored electrical energy systems
Participation in the testing of an emergency 2 points per year 0 6
and standby power system or stored
electrical energy system
Participation in the maintenance of an 1 point per year 0 3
emergency and standby power system or
stored electrical energy system
Participation in the installation of an 1 point per year 0 3
emergency and standby power system or
stored electrical energy system
Membership in a related industry 1 point per year 0 3
association
Conversion: 1 CEU = 10 contact hours = 10 points
Documentation
Reasonable proof of attendance/participation in the described categories will be accepted.
Reasonable proof includes copies of agendas, rosters, or other descriptive program materials which
have been signed and dated by the presenter/sponsor indicating the certification holder’s
attendance, course certificates, letters of verification from course sponsors, college transcripts, and
letters from employers. The certification holder is required to sign the descriptive materials as
confirmation of their attendance.
CEPSS Program Overview 2025 Page 8 of 9
NFPA certifications are a critical piece of the
NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™ and
contribute to a skilled global workforce.
Learn more about NFPA certifications:
National Fire Protection Association
Quincy, MA USA
Email: adminsvcs@[Link]
Web: [Link]/For-Professionals/Certification
Exam Application: onlinecertifi[Link]/nfpassa