I have quite literally grown up as an ENP. This past year, I not only celebrated my 40th birthday, but I also celebrated my 13th year as a certified Emergency Number Professional (ENP) through the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). That’s right; I passed my ENP exam at age 27. It is possible.
My ENP story
Each ENP-certified 911 professional has a unique motivation to put in the time and mental bandwidth to study for the ENP exam. Some want to learn, some want prestige, and some want the challenge; I wanted respect.
I began my career in 911 straight out of college as a consultant for the public safety technology division of an engineering firm. It is not easy starting your career as a young female consultant in technology. I had to strive to earn respect. And I get it. How much knowledge and experience could a sub-30-year-old actually have? In the early 2000s, there were no young professional groups for 911, no 911der Women or Women in 911, no study groups, Facebook groups, or virtual trainings for me to turn to. I did not have easy access to female mentors in the field.
When I would walk into a meeting and introduce myself as the consultant or project manager, I would often receive looks and skepticism from my clients: “Oh, consultants are getting younger and younger these days,” or “I have kids older than you,” or “What are you going to tell ME about 911?” or “You can sit here on my lap if you want.” For me, earning the ENP certification proved that I possessed the expertise and intelligence to do excellent work, regardless of my 5’1” stature and “bubbly” personality.
Admittedly, the respect didn’t start pouring in immediately after earning the letters E-N-P after my name, but the change happened internally. I gained confidence in myself, the kind of confidence that transcends others’ opinions of what I could or couldn’t do.
You see, confidence is based in what you know, and knowledge is something no one can take from you. When you invest in your education and professionalism, you develop confidence at your very core that is well worth the time and effort. Constantly, I thank 27-year-old Sara for believing in herself as she never could have imagined what 40-year-old Sara would accomplish.
Over the past 13 years, I’ve lived in three states, moved four times, got married, had two kids, started my own LLC twice, and founded a nonprofit. I’ve had valid excuses to let my ENP certification lapse, but I didn’t because being an ENP has become part of my identity, both as a professional and as a person.
A little ENP history
Last year, I sat down with Dr. Bob Cobb, ENP, the Development Director of NENA, to discuss the superhero origin story of the ENP certification:
In 1994, NENA Board Member Dr. Bill Munn presented the idea that NENA should pursue a professional certification. The Board responded positively, and, like every good idea, that’s when the hard work began. The first step was to determine the Body of Knowledge for the 911 profession. They began by conducting research through small group and individual interviews with a wide range of 911 professionals, including private and public entities. The goal was to determine what an ENP needed to know, building the content outline for the first Body of Knowledge, which has continually evolved over the past 30 years.
Over an 18-month period, 911 subject matter experts from all over the country wrote about 600 questions, which they called “items.” These items were added into the “item bank,” later becoming ENP certification exam questions.
While the item bank was developed, bylaws were written for the NENA Institute Board (NIB), the body that oversees all operational and administrative elements of ENP certification to this day, including preparing annual ENP examinations and establishing recertification guidelines.
The first ENP exam took place in April 1997, after three years of development. In its first use, 98 of the 115 candidates passed the examination, a passing rate of 85%. Since that first exam, nearly 4,000 people have taken the ENP exam. While many of the early ENPs have left the profession or retired, there are currently 1,720 ENPs, most of whom became an ENP within the past 15 years.
- The first ENP applicants could only take the ENP exam at the national NENA conference with paper and pencil (scantrons and #2s!). Within a few years, testing expanded to locations throughout the country, often at proctored facilities at colleges and universities.
- Eventually, NENA contracted with a testing company with hundreds of computerized testing locations throughout the U.S. and Canada within an hour’s drive of most ENP applicants.
- Remote ENP testing was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, whereby applicants could test at home or at their workplace in a secure, monitored environment. Remote testing continues as an option today.
- Only one exam period was missed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Otherwise, the number of ENPs stayed constant.
- The NIB continues to manage ENP certification, adhering to the bylaws written in the 1990s, as updated. Each year, the NIB updates ENP exam questions to remain current and relevant.
- The NIB accepts suggested ENP exam question “items” from their members, awarding recertification credit for submissions.
ENP impact and opportunities
The impact of ENP certification has been enormous to elevate the 911 profession. ENP members are active participants on NENA committees, presenting at conferences, and finding pride in their careers as 911 professionals.
Earning ENP certification is just the start. As an ENP, you must continue to invest in yourself, actively participate in the profession, and seek out opportunities to earn your recertification without having to sit for the test every four years. ENPs may attend national or state conferences, write articles, mentor, participate in a Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT), teach or organize a wellness program in your center, lead a study group, and more.
You can virtually participate in several study groups online as a group or individual. At 911der Women, we offer an in-person full-day workshop called “Power ENP,” where we teach concepts included in the ENP Body of Knowledge.
Additionally, look for scholarships that will cover testing fees, testing materials, and a NENA membership. For instance, 911der Women offers the “Firework Scholarship,” which you can apply for annually from October to January. Reach out to your local NENA chapter to see what scholarships they offer.
Today, I am one of 1,720 active ENPs across the globe (and growing). Consider taking the next step in your personal and career growth and become an ENP! Learn more about the ENP certification and how to apply here.
Why become an ENP?
An ENP is much more than a professional certification. The following benefits can serve as motivation for those on the fence:
- Professional investment: Be recognized and respected as a 911 professional.
- Career development: Utilize opportunities and seek to advance within your center using your ENP certification.
- Personal achievement: Gain a sense of self-esteem, pride, and accomplishment as you invest in yourself.
- Determination: Prove your capability to persevere through mastering the difficult accomplishment of ENP certification.
- Ambition: Demonstrate that you are a self-starting professional, willing to go above and beyond what is required.
- Knowledge: Expound and maintain your ENP knowledge to remain current through relevant updates and technological changes.
- Leadership recognition: Represent your agency/company in extended circles with your ENP title.
