Kentucky Certified Burn Boss

Certified Burn Boss course announced for 2026!

This year's Certified Burn Boss course will be September 22-24 in Greenville, KY. This course lasts three days and covers advanced prescribed fire practices in Kentucky. This workshop is intended for fire practitioners who would like to become Certified Burn Bosses. To become fully certified, participants must complete this workshop and an Apprentice Burn Boss task book. A fully Certified Burn Boss may burn in the forest during the burn ban seasons set forth by KDF in KRS 149.400: February 15-April 30 and October 1-December 15. If you meet the required prerequisite coursework and experience, as outlined in this application, please send codyrhoden@gmail.com your completed application, including proof of coursework, as one PDF. Applications that are not submitted as one PDF will not be accepted. If you sent in an application from last year, please update your information in the new application and send it back. Applications are due by August 1!

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Kentucky Certified Burn Boss (KCBB) certification allows controlled burn practitioners to conduct prescribed more frequently and effectivelly outside of the regulations set forth in KRS149.375 (fire ban seasons and burn windows). Please visit Kentucky's Outdoor Burning Laws for reference. Other certifications are recognized by the council and may qualify you as a KBB if you also meet the adiitional requirements listed below.

To hold Kentucky Certified Burn Boss certification status, you must meet one off the following standards (including additional requirements):

National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) RXB3 (prescribed fire burn boss type 3), RXB2 (prescribed fire burn boss Type 2) or RXB1 (prescribed fire burn boss type 1) qualification. Specifications for NWCG positions can be found in the Wildland Fire Qualification Systems Guide (PMS 310-1).
The Nature Conservancy’s Workshop on Ecological Burning (including course prerequisites).
KPFC Kentucky Certified Burn Boss Workshop (including course and experience prerequisites) and required post-workshop experience documented on the Apprentice Task Sheet.

Additional Requirements:

Must be 18 years of age or older.
Must not have been convicted of violation from Kentucky Division of Forestry within the previous three (3) years.
Adhere to KRS 149.175
Shall not conduct a prescribed burn during a burn ban or red flag warning.
Shall have proof of certification on person while burning.
Shall record prescribed burns into Kentucky’s prescribed fire portal.

*All Kentucky Certified Burn Bosses must have an assigned Burn Boss ID #. If you qualify as a KCBB through other standards listed above, please provide documentation of qualifications to Kentucky Division of Forestry to be assigned your ID#.

KPFC Kentucky Certified Burn Boss Training

The Kentucky Prescribed Fire Council's mission is to promote understanding and enhance collaboration for the use of ecologically based prescribed fire in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. One way we seek to achieve this mission is through periodic trainings and workshops. We offer two main trainings: the 8-hour Landowner Course and the KCBB Certification. The KCBB training is a 2-day workshop that includes classroom-style lessons and non-fire field activities. Pre- and post-workshop experience requirements must be met to recieve your certification. You must meet eligibility and prerequisites standards to participate:

Kentucky Certified Burn Boss Workshop prerequisites and eligibility are:

Must be 18 years of age or older
Must not have been convicted of violation from Kentucky Division of Forestry within the previous three (3) years.
S-130 with S-130 Field Day (with L-180) – Firefighter Training (NWCG)
- In lieu of completing the S-130 Field Day due to limited course offerings, private landowners often take the route of completing the 8 hour Crewmember Course and attend a Learn-and-Burn to satisfy the S-130 Field Day requirement.
S-190 – Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (NWCG)
I-100 or ICS-100 – Introduction to the Incident Command System
Participation on 5 prescribed burns or wildfires. Proof of experience must be documented on an affidavit.

For any questions related to training requirements, reach out to the Training Committee Chair: codyrhoden@gmail.com

Post Workshop Experience Requirements:

Candidates must complete 3 apprentice burns under a mentoring KCBB (must meet the mentoring entity's physical fitness requirement). An Apprentice Burn is defined as a prescribed burn led by an Apprentice Burn Boss (ABB, described as those who have completed the workshop but not all the post workshop requirements) and conducted under the supervision of a qualified Kentucky Burn Boss. To qualify as an apprentice burn you must perform at least 7 out of the 10 tasks from the Apprentice Task Sheet. Your Burn Boss will review and sign off on your tasks. Once post workshop experience requirements have been met, the ABB must submit the completed apprentice task sheet to the Kentucky Prescribed Fire Council Board for approval. Upon approval, you will be assigned your KBB ID # and card.
Certified KCBB Practitioners should follow the requirements and guidelines outlined in:
- KPFC Policy
- Voluntary Smoke Management Plan

*Interested in becomming a KCBB through the KPFC? Sign up to be on the mailing list where you will be notified of upcoming opportunities. KBB workshops are offered annual and on an as-need basis.

Photos taken by Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.