Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is the NCBRT?
A: The National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT) provides high-quality training to emergency responders throughout
the United States. We are dedicated to excellence as measured by our quality products and services. Committed to “preparing you today for
tomorrow’s threats,” the NCBRT has more than 10 years of experience in course development and delivery. The NCBRT is part of the National
Center for Security Research and Training (NCSRT) as well as the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC), recognized by
the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the principal vehicle through which the Training and Exercise Integration (TEI) division
identifies, develops, tests, and delivers training to federal, state, local, and tribale emergency responders.
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Q: What sets NCBRT’s training apart from other training providers?
A: NCBRT training is quality training that you will use and apply to your jobs long after you leave the classroom. When surveyed, 74% of
NCBRT course participants from 2006 indicated they have used or applied the information and skills presented in the course in one of the
following ways: 1) provided, conducted, or participated in some kind of training; 2) evaluated or changed emergency operations plans; 3)
responded to an incident; or 4) applied information or skills in their everyday operations. Also, the NCBRT employs the most experienced
instructors and subject matter experts. At more than 200 strong, this elite group of experts enhances each course delivery with their unique
professional experience.
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Q: What levels of training does the NCBRT offer?
A: The NCBRT offers courses at the Awareness, Performance, and Management and Planning levels as designated by DHS’s TEI division.
Awareness level courses are designed for responders who require the skills necessary to recognize and report a potential catastrophic incident or
who are likely to witness or investigate an event involving the use of hazardous and/or explosive devices.
Performance level courses are designed for first responders who perform tasks during the initial response to a catastrophic event.
Management and Planning level courses are designed for managers who build plans and coordinate the response to a high-consequence event
(either man-made or natural).
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Q: What training formats are available?
A: The NCBRT offers two training formats: Instructor-Led Training and Web-Based Training (WBT). Instructor-Led Training is delivered as
Direct Delivery and/or Train-the-Trainer. With Direct Delivery, instructors teach participants directly. With Train-the-Trainer, instructors deliver
the course materials to a class of trainers who return to their organizations to train others. All Train-the-Trainer courses can be delivered as
Direct Delivery.
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Q: How do I schedule an instructor-led course?
A: To schedule an Instructor-Led course or to obtain specific NCBRT course information, contact the NCBRT by email at info@ncbrt.lsu.edu
or by phone at 1-877-829-8550. The NCBRT has coordinators ready to assist you with your scheduling needs. You can speak directly with the
coordinator assigned to your state; simply identify the phone number using the color-coded map. You
may also contact your State Administrative Agency or DHS’s Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk at 1-800-368-6498.
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Q: How do I enroll in online courses?
A: Before you can enroll in the NCBRT’s eLearning courses, you must register on our web site. Simply access our site at www.ncbrt.lsu.edu/
eLearn, click on the “Register Here! Join Now!” link, and complete the registration form. An email notification will be sent to you confirming
your registration status and you will then be able to enroll.
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Q: Where are the trainings held?
A: The NCBRT offers classroom and online training. All classroom training is mobile, meaning that courses are delivered at your agency’s
training facility. Online courses offer the same kinds of high-quality, challenging courses as those taught in the classroom, with the added convenience
and flexibility of studying at locations and times that are convenient for you.
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Q: What does this training cost?
A: For DHS-certified, Instructor-Led Training: As a DHS TEI training partner, the NCBRT provides training at low or no cost to your agency.
Under most circumstances, grant funds can be used to cover overtime costs accrued during the training. Because the NCBRT does not have
a limitless supply of training for each state, training can be purchased through the Excess Delivery Acquisition Program (EDAP) to allow for
those cases when more deliveries of a requested class are needed than the grant funds can accommodate. The cost of training varies depending on the course, but a price list is available by contacting the NCBRT (info@ncbrt.lsu.edu).
For all other NCBRT courses: Prices vary for all other NCBRT courses.
For online courses: All online courses are free.
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Q: Are these courses certified by the Department of Homeland Security?
A: The NCBRT has over 25 courses that have received DHS certification. Look for the DHS logo on the course pages to determine if a course
is DHS-certified.
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Q: Can the NCBRT customize training for my agency?
A: Yes. Contact us at 1-877-829-8550 or info@ncbrt.lsu.edu with your specific training request and we will work with you to develop training
that suits your needs. The NCBRT is equipped with superior resources and capabilities including an elite group of more than 200 instructors
and subject matter experts, and more than 50 well-educated, diversified, and skilled employees.
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Q: What type of certification will I receive for completing this training?
A: After successfully completing the post-test, you will receive a certificate from the NCBRT that includes the course title, number of course
contact hours you completed, and the DHS logo (when applicable).
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Q: Are there any prerequisites before I can take this training?
A: For all courses, the following prerequisites apply: 1) you must be a U.S. citizen and be able to show proof of citizenship; and 2) you must be
at least 18 years of age. Course-specific prerequisites are listed in our course catalog.
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