The Institution of Fire Engineers operates a policy of allowing candidates to defer examinations from one year to the next when there is a compelling reason for doing so. The policy is designed to accommodate candidates who are prevented at the last minute from taking IFE examinations by (for example,) sudden illness, injury or family emergency. It does not allow candidates to defer examinations on demand or with insufficient reason.
In order to apply the policy fairly and impartially, the IFE's Examinations Committee requires acceptable evidence of the reason given by candidates for seeking a deferral. For example, a medical certificate would be an appropriate form of evidence for sudden illness or injury and in the case of a candidate having to deal with a family emergency, confirmation from the employer that compassionate leave was granted for this purpose would be appropriate in that eventuality.
The following are examples of reasons often given for seeking a deferral that the Examinations Committee consistently rejects:-
1. Lack of study time. Candidates should be certain before they apply to take IFE examinations that they can prepare themselves adequately before hand.
2. Intervention by a third party. For example, an employer decides to send a candidate on a course close to or during IFE exam sessions. The IFE is not obliged to agree to a deferral because of the unforeseen actions of a third party.
3. Chronic or recurrent medical conditions. As candidates will have had to deal with medical conditions of this type on a regular or long-term basis, the IFE anticipates that they will have calculated in advance their ability to cope with up to twelve hours of examinations over a period of two days.
The procedure for seeking a deferral of one or more IFE examinations from 2012 to 2013 is described below:-
1. Deferral requests can only be made once the IFE examination sessions in March 2012 have been completed. Candidates have up to one calendar month to register their applications for deferral; i.e. until Thursday April 12th 2012.
2. Deferral requests should be made in writing by letter, fax or e-mail. Candidates should specify a valid and compelling reason for seeking a deferral, supported by the appropriate evidence.
Candidates can defer examinations for one year only.
Deferral requests are subject to a £15.00 administration fee per paper.
Candidates are advised that all fees are non-refundable.
