NOTICE: Effective April 16, 2026, FEMA has restored access to its Independent Study.

These courses are typically inaccessible during a lapse in appropriations, but FEMA is facing unprecedented circumstances.

This is the third lapse that the agency has experienced this fiscal year, totaling more than 100 days shut down. State, local, tribal, and territorial officials, including first responders, rely on this curriculum to prepare for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other catastrophic incidents.

Because threats to the homeland persist and evolve — and as the nation prepares for FIFA World Cup, America's 250th Celebration, and the 2026 hurricane season — FEMA has restored access to these Independent Study courses, enabling officials to continue their training and keep their communities safe.

Users may now register for and complete these self-guided courses. However, FEMA's staffing and operations are still impacted by the lapse in appropriations. If users experience technical problems, FEMA staff are unable to provide assistance at this time.