The NENA Partner in Education Recognition (PIER) Program honors PSAPs with an exceptional dedication to education. To receive a PIER certificate, an agency must demonstrate a commitment to improving the knowledge, skills, and abilities of all employees, from new hires to center leadership, through continuous and ongoing professional-development activities.

An agency earns the PIER certificate by meeting the below eligibility requirements and by submitting an application with supporting documentation. PIER-certified PSAPs can maintain their status by recertifying every four years.  

Eligibility Criteria

Required: 

• 70% or greater of PSAP Operations staff are individual or group members of NENA.    
  
• At least half (50% or greater) of the Operations management team are certified Emergency Number Professionals (ENPs) 
  
• At least half (50% or greater) of the supervisory team have completed the 9-1-1 NENA Center Supervisor Program.
  
• The PSAP uses a basic telecommunicator training program that meets or exceeds the Recommended 911 Minimum Training Guidelines for Telecommunicators, such as NENA’s Telecommunicator Core Competencies course.
  
• The PSAP demonstrates a commitment to continuing education by requiring a minimum of twenty-four hours of continuing education every two years for all telecommunicators. 
  
• The PSAP meets or exceeds the requirements in the NENA/APCO Standard for 9-1-1 Call Processing. 
  
• The PSAP meets or exceeds the requirements in the NENA/APCO Standard for the Establishment of a Quality Assurance and Improvement Program for Public Safety Answering Points

And at least one of the following:

• At least half (50% or greater) of the Operations management team have completed the NENA Center Manager Certification Program (CMCP).
• At least half (50% or greater) of agency CTOs and Training Coordinator(s) have completed the NENA CTO Training Program.
• At least half (50% or greater) of PSAP telecommunicators have received their NENA Excellence in Dispatch (EID) Certificate.
• At least six hours of NENA-delivered training (in-person or online) for each PSAP Operations Staff within the last two years.

Application
An agency may apply for the NENA PIER certificate by submitting an online application with required supporting documentation by May 15, 2022.  No application fees are required. Other application windows will be announced soon.

Certificate Award  
Upon receiving the NENA PIER award, the agency will receive a framed certificate and recognition at the association’s annual conference.  Agencies may display the NENA PIER emblem in their center, on their website, and in digital communications for a period of four years.  

Certificate Renewal
Agencies must submit an updated application and documentation within ninety days of award expiration.