A Professional Practitioner's Curricula
A Professional Practitioner's Curricula
The Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP) is a program designed for advanced exercise practitioners in emergency management exercise design, conduct and evaluation. Participants refine and practice skills critical to performing the phases of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) cycle. The Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP) is the pinnacle program in the National Standard Exercise Curriculum offered by FEMA’s National Disaster & Emergency Management University (NDEMU).
Classroom Course Requirements
The Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP) consists of two (2) resident courses (E0132 and E0133) that are each four (4) days in length as well as conduct of an exercise for the candidate’s jurisdiction which is then presented to a panel (K0136). The courses are not offered individually, and candidates must complete the two classroom courses in sequential order. Participants must apply and be selected by an annual evaluation board with the first of the two courses being offered the first quarter of the fiscal year. See “How to Apply” section for more information on application procedures.
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E0132: Exercise Foundations, Program Management, Design and Development
- Advanced Exercise Program Management
- Planning for Exercise Evaluation
- Beyond the HSEEP Templates
- Planning for Exercise Control
- Beyond the traditional Response Exercise
- Exercise Enhancements
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E0133: Exercise Conduct, Evaluation and Improvement Planning
- Evaluating Conduct Capabilities
- Refine Your Facilitation
- Hot Wash Vs Debrief
- Root Cause Analysis
- The AAR’s you wish you could write
- Corrective Action Programs
- Research Project: Contemporary Issues in HSEEP
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K0136 MEPP Capstone Presentation
Candidates will have one year to play a leadership role in the design, developing, conducting and evaluation of a full scale or functional exercise. The candidate will present the exercise to a capstone panel during a designated K0136. The exercise must be a minimum of three hours long in conduct and must be wholly unclassified. Extensions beyond the one-year period are possible and are granted on a case-by-case basis. The capstone presentation will be conducted virtually. Candidates will receive a MEPP certificate of completion upon successful completion of the K0136 capstone.
Target Audience
The Master Exercise Practitioner series is designed for experienced individuals with significant responsibility for progressive, all-hazard exercise programs consistent with the principles in the HSEEP doctrine.
Ideal candidates will have 3-5 years’ experience designing and conducting emergency management exercises consistent with the HSEEP Doctrine. This experience should include the development of discussion-based and operations-based exercises and experience in a Simulation Cell (SIMCELL). Candidates are expected to have overall experience with Exercise Program Management as well as individual experience in the following roles:
- Exercise Director
- Exercise Planning Team Leader
- Facilitator
- Controller/Simulator
- Evaluator
Required Prerequisites
There are 10 required prerequisite courses that must be completed before applying to the MEPP program.
The following courses must be completed in their entirety prior to submitting an application: LK146 (HSEEP program), IS100, IS120, IS130, IS200, IS230, IS235, IS700, IS800, and IS2200
As an alternative, a certificate of graduation from the Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP) Basic Academy from 2018, or later will satisfy the prerequisites for the MEPP Program
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LK146: Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation
Completion certificate
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IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System
Any version
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IS-120: An Introduction to Exercises
Any version
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IS-130: How to be an Exercise Evaluator
Any version
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IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
Any version
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IS-230: Fundamentals of Emergency Management
Any version
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IS-235: Emergency Planning
Any version
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IS-700: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
Any version
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IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction
Any version
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IS-2200: Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions
Any version
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Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP) Basic Academy
A certificate of graduation from the Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP) Basic Academy from 2018, or later will satisfy the prerequisites for the MEP Program
Tuition and Travel Reimbursement
There is no cost for tuition for the Master Exercise Practitioner Program.
Some individuals taking courses at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland may be eligible for stipend reimbursement. For information about travel reimbursement eligibility and procedures, see the NETC Welcome Package.
Eligible for stipend reimbursement
- State, local or tribal government representatives.
- Recognized volunteer organization representatives.
- Active emergency management organization representatives.
- Representatives from state or local fire organizations
Not eligible for reimbursement
- Federal government. (Federal students are subject to federal travel regulations and travel under orders prepared by their office.)
- Private industry employees.
- Employees who are contracted to federal, state, or local government entities (such as rural-metro departments).
- Representatives of a foreign organization.
Fiscal Year Schedule
The MEPP classroom and capstone courses are typically scheduled as 2 series per year. The capstone K0136 course also includes a non-series specific schedule each year.
Classroom Course Fiscal Year 2025
- Series 1
- E0132: Oct 21-25, 2024
- E0133: Mar 10-13, 2025
- Series 2
- E0132: Dec 2-5, 2024
- E0133: May 5-8, 2025
Capstone Course Fiscal Year 2025
Invitation only, eligible candidates from FY24 or before
- Non-Series Specific
- K0136: January 13-17, 2025
- Series 1
- K0136: May 19-23, 2025
- Series 2
- K0136: August 25-29, 2025
How to Apply
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Verify Qualification
- The application period is open annually from April 1st to June 15th
- Review and verify the candidacy requirements for selection to the MEPP Program
- Complete all required prerequisites before applying for selection. Proof of prerequisite completion must be submitted with your application
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Prepare Required Documentation
Prepare the following required documentation that must be attached and submitted with your online application
- Transcript of all qualifying prerequisites
- A narrative document outlining your current job description, role in agency/jurisdictions exercise program
- A narrative statement requesting consideration for admission to the program and specifying the applicant’s qualifications, experience, and a summary of their current job duties. Sign this narrative statement, to indicate your commitment to the two-year time frame to complete the program, including the Capstone presentation.
- A letter of recommendation from a Supervisor, noting they are aware of and support your participation in the program, including the K0136 MEPP Capstone requirement.
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Apply Online
Candidates register though the NETC Online Admissions Application using their SID or PIV information
- Submit all required documentation using the NETC Online Admissions system
- NETC Admissions and NDEMU/IEMB will review applications for completeness and forward to the appropriate FEMA Region
- FEMA Regions will submit prioritized list of applicants from each Region NDEMU/NETC Admissions.
- NDEMU/IEMB reviewed and prioritized list will be provided to NDEMU Superintendent
- Final MEPP Candidate Selections made
- Candidate formally receives a letter of acceptance from NETC and NDEMU in mid-August
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Complete the Application
Once the selection review process has completed, you will be notified of the selection status via the email address provided during application
Candidate Selection Process
The process is a collaborative effort between NDEMU and the FEMA Regions. NDEMU will convene a Review Board and, if additional information is needed, will contact and discuss the application packets with the appropriate FEMA Regional Office. The Review Board will provide the Superintendent of the National Disaster & Emergency Management University with MEPP candidate recommendations, to include the original prioritized ranking of application packets received from the FEMA Regional Training Managers. The Superintendent of the National Disaster & Emergency Management University will make the final decision regarding the candidate(s) acceptance into the Master Exercise Practitioner Program.
NETC Admissions will notify applicants regarding their status by late July, early August. If you have not received information via email or mail as to your MEPP status by that time, you may contact the NETC Admissions Office at (301) 447-1035 or toll free (800) 238-3358, extension 1035.
Frequently Asked Questions
The MEPP Series is designed for experienced individuals with significant responsibilities for progressive, all-hazard exercise programs consistent with the principles in the HSEEP doctrine. Ideal candidates will have 3-5 years’ experience designing and conducting emergency management exercises consistent with the HSEEP Doctrine. This experience should include the development of discussion-based and operations-based exercises and experience in a Simulation Cell (SIMCELL). Candidates are expected to have overall experience with Exercise Program Management as well as individual experience in the following roles:
- Exercise Planning Team Leader
- Facilitator
- Controller/Simulator
- Evaluator
Each MEPP Series will represent the Whole Community approach and include exercise staff from the following:
- State, local, tribal and territorial emergency management/homeland security exercise programs
- Federal Agencies
- Non-profit/Voluntary organizations
- Private sector
Please see the How To Apply section for information on the application procedure
Yes, all prerequisites must be complete prior to submitting an application. Proof of completion must be included with your application
There is no cost for the training, however, if you represent an agency that is not eligible for reimbursement, you/your agency will be responsible for funding your travel to Emmitsburg, MD, your lodging ($40/night on campus), and your meal ticket (approximately $125/week). If you have questions regarding your eligibility for reimbursement, please contact NETC Admissions at (301) 447-1035.
Generally, dates are posted to the website in the Spring (April).
No. There is a waiting list for current applicants in the current fiscal year and it is not open to outside applicants that did not meet the application deadline window (Closes July 1). This is a one-year waiting list. If you did not get in, you will need to re-apply the following year.
Yes. The review panel makes every attempt to accept qualified applicants representing private sector entities that reflect the Whole Community.
Application selection process begins with NETC Admissions to ensure completeness. Next, a panel of NDEMU Employees reviews the MEP Application Questionnaire from each applicant. Each applicant is discussed for best fit in a series based on the Target Audience and whole community representation.
NETC Admissions reviews the applications for completeness prior to the panels review. If an application is determined to be incomplete, NETC Admissions will notify the applicant and provide an opportunity to complete. The additional items will need to be provided to NETC Admissions within five (5) days of notification to ensure timely review.
Yes, NETC Admissions will notify all applicants via email of their status.
Please call NETC Admissions at (301) 447-1035 to ask any questions regarding reimbursement eligibility.
Generally, applicants are denied accepted for two reasons. #1 – incomplete application package, most often incomplete pre-requisite requirements. #2 – Lack of demonstrated experience to successfully contribute to in-class discussions and proficiency demonstrations.
Yes. Applications are only good for the year in which they were submitted. Requirements are revised and updated each year to determine selection of the proper target audience and whole community representation.
The L0146 HSEEP course is a classroom-based delivery that is scheduled by individual jurisdictions and completely supported by the local jurisdiction as well. You can find where and when these courses are scheduled by accessing the National Disaster & Emergency Management University's website at: http://www.training.fema.gov/emicourses/schedules.aspx
The K0146 HSEEP Webinar course is conducted online by the National Disaster & Emergency Management University and you can find when this course scheduled by clicking here: http://www.training.fema.gov/emicourses/schedules.aspx
Please email the Integrated Emergency Management Branch with any further questions about the MEPP Program
Contact IEMBThe NSEC Curricula
Begin a path in exercise program management by exploring the various levels. From awareness to professional career training, you'll find all the necessary courses below.
Level 4 Professional
E0132, E0133 and K0136
Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP)
Level 3 — Advanced
K0051 Exercise Program Management
E/L/K0139 Exercise Design and Development
E/L0050 Exercise Control and Simulation
E/L0131 Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning
Level 2 — Intermediate
K/L0146 Homeland Security Exercise and
Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
Level 1 — Awareness/Beginner
IS-120 Introduction to Exercises
IS-130 How to be an Exercise Evaluator
Professional level NSEC curriculum include:
- E0132, E0133 and K0136
- Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP)
Advanced level NSEC curriculum include:
- K0051 Exercise Program Management
- E/L/K0139 Exercise Design and Development
- E/L0050 Exercise Control and Simulation
- E/L0131 Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning
Intermediate level NSEC curriculum include:
- K/L0146 Homeland Security Exercise and
- Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
Awarness/Beginner level NSEC curriculum include:
- IS-120 Introduction to Exercises
- IS-130 How to be an Exercise Evaluator
