HB5873 - Educational Credit for Firefighting Experience Act

• Requires each institution of higher education to adopt a policy by June 1, 2026 allowing academic credit for firefighter training applicable to certificate or degree programs.

• Policy must cover any enrolled student who completed firefighting training recommended by a national higher education association or otherwise documented as firefighting training or experience.

• Each institution must develop procedures to verify firefighting training documentation, provide the credit policy to applicants listing firefighting service, and maintain a list of qualifying firefighting courses and programs.

• Institutions must submit their firefighting credit policies to the Board of Higher Education and Illinois Community College Board by June 30, 2026, and annually thereafter.

• Board of Higher Education must collect data in the Illinois Higher Education Information System on firefighter students to assess enrollment and completion outcomes.