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,

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

1. Pick a date to administer the exam. 
2. 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.) 
3. 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.

The two main components to accomplish compliance with the new Program are:

1. 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.
2. 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.

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.