SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS 

This section presents detailed instructions for the 
completion of the National Flood Insurance Program 
(NFIP) Elevation Certificate (EC) and the NFIP 
Floodproofing Certificates. 

NOTE: When determining the lowest floor for 
rating, refer to the Lowest Floor Guide section of 
this manual. 

I. NFIP ELEVATION CERTIFICATE 
The EC is an important administrative tool of the 
NFIP. It is to be used to provide elevation information 
necessary to ensure compliance with community 
floodplain management ordinances, to determine 
the proper insurance premium rate, and to support 
a request for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or 
Letter of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F). 

The NFIP EC form and instructions were revised 
effective July 31, 2012. The surveyor, engineer, 
architect, property owner, or owner’s representative 
is required to provide the square footage of any 
crawlspace or enclosure(s) below the lowest elevated 
floor (including an attached garage) plus information 
about any permanent flood openings in the crawlspace 
or enclosure(s). When the EC is being submitted to 
obtain flood insurance through the NFIP, generally at 
least 2 photographs of the building must accompany 
it. This additional information will significantly enhance 
the agent’s/producer’s and company underwriter’s 
ability to properly rate elevation-rated risks. Current 
photograph requirements, and exceptions to them, are 
described in Section II. below. 

Beginning August 1, 2012, the 2012 EC form and 
instructions (shown on pages CERT 11–25) are being 
phased in on a voluntary basis through July 31, 2013. 
Elevations certified on or after August 1, 2013, must 
be submitted on the 2012 form. An exception is made 
when the community official completes the 2009 EC 
with elevation data received by the community before 
August 1, 2013. It must be noted in the Comments 
area of Section G of the 2009 EC that the community 
had the data on file before August 1, 2013. 

When 2 or more ECs are submitted for the same 
building, use the EC with the latest certified date when 
rating the policy. 

Non-NFIP elevation certification forms certified on or 
after October 1, 2000, do not satisfy NFIP requirements 
and cannot be used for rating policies. 

The EC is required on Post-FIRM buildings constructed 
in an SFHA, but is optional on Post-FIRM buildings 
constructed in a non-SFHA and on Pre-FIRM 
construction. For Post-FIRM buildings constructed in 
a non-SFHA and remapped to an SFHA and that are 
eligible for grandfathering, the insured has the option 

of obtaining an EC or continuing with the non-SFHA 
rates without an EC. The EC is required by the NFIP to 
certify the lowest floor elevation of a building so that 
the policy can be properly rated, as follows (also see 
the Lowest Floor Guide section in this manual): 

•All Post-FIRM Buildings 
The EC is to be completed by a land surveyor, an 
engineer, or an architect who is authorized by state 
or local law to certify elevation information when it 
is required for zones A1–A30, AE, AH, AO, A (with 
or without Base Flood Elevations [BFEs]), V1–V30, 
VE, and V (with BFEs). Community officials who 
are authorized by local law or ordinance to provide 
floodplain management information may also 
complete this form. For zones AO and A (without 
BFEs), a building official, a property owner, or 
an owner’s representative may also provide the 
information on this certification. Building elevation 
information may be available through the community 
official if the community is a Community Rating 
System (CRS) participating community. 

The lowest adjacent grade and diagram number are 
required for all new business applications effective on 
or after October 1, 1997, if the elevation certification 
date is on or after October 1, 1997. 

•Pre-FIRM Buildings Rated Using Post-FIRM Rates 
Pre-FIRM construction can be elevation rated using 
Post-FIRM EC rates, which are more favorable rates if 
the lowest floor of the building is at or above the BFE 
for the community. In many cases, the lowest floor 
level of a Pre-FIRM building is below the BFE, and it 
would not benefit the insured to pay the cost for an 
EC in an attempt to secure a lower rate. The decision 
to obtain an EC and to request Post-FIRM rating of a 
Pre-FIRM building is an option of the insured. 

•AR and AR Dual Zones 
The EC is optional on all Post- and Pre-FIRM 
construction located in AR and AR Dual Zones. 
The decision to obtain an EC and to request 
Post-FIRM rating is at the discretion of the 
insured. The EC includes the AR and AR Dual Zone 
elevation requirements. 

The agent/producer is to attach a copy of the completed 
and signed EC to the Application. The certifier’s seal or 
license number must be legible on the copy of the EC. 
The agent/producer and the policyholder should retain 
a copy. 

II. PHOTOGRAPHREQUIREMENTS 
Generally, all new business applications for elevation-
rated risks with a policy effective date of January 
1, 2007, or later must be submitted with at least 2 

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photographs that show the front and back of the 
building and were taken and dated within 90 days of the 
mailing date (not the certification date, if that date was 
earlier). For buildings with flood openings (flood vents), 
1 or more photographs must clearly show the openings. 
If the building is a split level or has multi-level areas at 
ground level, at least 2 additional photographs showing 
views of both sides of the building must be submitted. 

•Exception 
1: 
When an agent/producer moves his 
or her book of business from 1 insurer to another, 
or when an insurer acquires another’s book of 
business, photographs are not required. The 
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will 
continue to consider such policies as renewals, even 
though they are reported as new business under the 
Transaction Record Reporting and Processing Plan. 
(However, when an insured changes agent/producer 
and insurer, the policy is considered new business, 
and photographs are required.) 
•Exception 
2: 
When a Flood Insurance Application 
and an EC are submitted for a building in the course 
of construction, photographs are not required and 
proposed elevations will be used for rating. When 
the building is completed, a revised EC with required 
photographs and as-built elevations must be 
submitted for use in rerating the policy. 
These requirements also apply to all renewal and 
endorsement transactions adding elevation rating 
effective on or after January 1, 2007. 

For the convenience of users, 2 Building Photographs 
pages are included with the EC and instructions. 
However, photographs may be attached to any sheet(s) 
of blank paper or business letterhead. All photographs 
must measure at least 3"× 3", provide a clear image of 
the building’s distinguishing features, and include date 
taken. Analog or digital photographs are acceptable; 
color photographs are preferred. 

An EC submitted without the required photographs is 
not considered valid for rating, unless the building is 
in the course of construction. Each Write Your Own 
(WYO) Company may use its current business practices 
in handling ECs without photographs, whether that 
is tentative rating, provisional rating, or rejection of 
the Application. 

III. USING THE ELEVATION CERTIFICATE: SPECIAL 
CONSIDERATIONS 
A. Section A–Property Information 
•Section A of the EC includes the building use. This 
information is helpful in validating the data collected 
by the insurance agent/producer, and the Flood 
Insurance Application information. 
•On the EC, latitude, longitude, and related information 
are optional only if the document is being certified by 
other than a licensed surveyor, engineer, or architect. 
•If the EC is being used to obtain flood insurance, 
and the certification date is on or after January 
1, 2007, the EC must be accompanied by at least 
2 current photographs of the building. (See “II. 
Photograph Requirements.”) 
•For any crawlspace, enclosure(s), or attached 
garage, the EC collects square footage, number 
of flood openings within 1.0 foot above the higher 
of the exterior or interior grade (adjacent) or floor 
immediately below the openings, and total area of 
flood openings in square inches. (A parking area 
located beneath an elevated floor is not considered 
an attached garage.) 
The information found in Section A of the EC is 
critical, as it relates to the insured property. Should 
information be missing from Section A (except latitude, 
longitude, and related information), the certificate 
must be returned to the surveyor, engineer, architect, 
or community official who executed the form. These 
individuals should be encouraged to fully complete 
Section A to avoid any delay in the issuance of the 
flood insurance policy. 

B. Section B–Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) 
Information 
The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) information 
includes the following: 

•FIRM panel effective date and revision date; 
•Source of the BFE or base flood depth; 
NOTE: The same elevation datum should be used 
in determining all certification elevations as was 
used in determining the BFE (i.e., NGVD 1929 or 
NAVD 1988). 

•Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) area or 
Otherwise Protected Area (OPA). 
NOTE: Refer to the CBRS section of this manual for 
flood insurance coverage eligibility. 

C. SectionC–Building Elevation Information 
(Survey Required) 
Responsibilities for building elevation information are 
as follows: 

•The surveyor, engineer, or architect is required to 
provide a number of elevations based on the building 
type selected. 
•From the elevations gathered, the insurance agent/ 
producer is required to determine the lowest floor for 
rating flood insurance. 
CERT2 JANUARY 1, 2013 


As it relates to Section C, information found not to be 
applicable to the property being certified should be 
marked N/A (not applicable) by the surveyor, engineer, 
or architect. If any part of Section C is left blank, 
critically review it and contact the surveyor, engineer, 
or architect who completed the form and your company 
underwriter with any questions. 

Elevation(s) of machinery and equipment servicing the 
building (e.g., water heater, furnace, A/C compressor, 
heat pump, water pump) must be provided, regardless 
of its location, whether inside or outside of the 
building, elevated on a platform, or non-elevated. 

The surveyor, engineer, or architect may not be able 
to gain access to some crawlspaces to obtain the 
elevation of the crawlspace floor. In this instance, Item 
C2.a on the EC may be left blank and the estimated 
measurements entered in the Comments area of 
Section D. 

Elevations in Section C are based on feet, except in 
Puerto Rico, where the metric system is used. The 
agent/producer must convert any metric elevation 
readings into feet before calculating the flood 
insurance premium. 

D. Section D–Surveyor, Engineer, or Architect 
Certification 
Section D is the surveyor’s, engineer’s, or architect’s 
certification that the information provided in Sections 
A, B, and C is representative of the certifier’s best 
efforts to interpret the data available. The surveyor’s, 
engineer’s, or architect’s signature and identification 
number are required fields; some states also may 
require a seal. 

E. Section E – Building Elevation Information 
(Survey Not Required) fo Zone AO and Zone A 
(Without BFE) 
The elevation differences between the lowest floor and 
the lowest adjacent grade and highest adjacent grade 
are required. 

For Zone A (without a FEMA-issued or community-
issued BFE) and Zone AO, a property owner or owner’s 
authorized representative may complete Sections A, B, 
and E. 

F. Section F–Property Owner (or Owner’s 
Representative) Certification 
Address and other contact information about the 
property owner are requested in Section F. The party 
completing Sections A, B, and E must execute Section 
F as well. 

G. Section G – Community Information (Optional) 
The local official who is authorized by law or ordinance 
to administer the community’s floodplain management 
ordinance may transfer elevation information found 
on existing documentation (i.e., an older Elevation 
Certification form, or surveyor letterhead) to Section 
C of the EC. The local official must then certify this 
information by fully completing Section G. A statement 
advising FEMA of this transfer of information must be 
made in the Comments area. Section G may also be 
used to certify Item E5. 

IV. FLOODPROOFING CERTIFICATE 
A. Purpose and Eligibility 
•In certain circumstances, floodproofing may be 
permitted as an alternative to elevating to or above 
the BFE; however, a floodproofing design certification 
is required. Certified floodproofing may result in 
lower rates. Floodproofing credit cannot be applied 
to buildings under construction. 
•Non-residential buildings in any community, in all 
locations except in V Zones, may be floodproofed in 
lieu of elevating. 
•Residential buildings may be floodproofed only if they 
have basements, are located in zones A1–A30, AE, 
AR, AR Dual, AO, AH, and A with BFE, and only if they 
are located in communities specifically approved 
and authorized by FEMA. A current list of approved 
communities appears on page CERT 4. 
•The allowable methods of floodproofing for nonresidential 
buildings differ from those allowed for 
residential buildings. The specific requirements 
should be available from the local government. 
B. Specifications 
The specifications for floodproofing ensure that the 
building is watertight, its floodproofed walls will not 
collapse, and the floor at the base of the floodproofed 
walls will resist flotation during flooding conditions. For 
residential buildings, the building must be watertight 
without human intervention. 

C. Rating 
In order to be eligible for lower rates, the insured 
must have a registered professional engineer or 
architect certify that the floodproofing conforms with 
the minimum floodproofing specifications of FEMA. 
This means that the building must be floodproofed 
to at least 1 foot above the BFE. If floodproofed to 
1 foot above the BFE, flood depth, or comparable 
community-approved floodplain management 
standards, it can then be treated for rating purposes 
as having a “0” elevation difference from the BFE. 

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This certification must be submitted with the Flood 
Insurance Application, and must be accompanied by at 
least 2 photographs. For non-residential buildings, the 
photographs must show the floodproofing measures 
in place. 

To further illustrate, if the building is certified to be 
floodproofed to 2 feet above the BFE, flood depth, 
or comparable community-approved floodplain 
management standards, whichever is highest, then it 
is credited for floodproofing and is to be treated for 
rating purposes as having a “+1” foot elevation. See the 
Rating section for information on rounding elevations. 

D. Certification 
1. Residential Buildings (With Basements) 
The Residential Basement Floodproofing 
Certificate is available for residential buildings 
with basements located in zones A1–A30, AE, AR, 
AR Dual, AO, AH, and A with BFE and located in 
a FEMA-approved community that is listed in the 
table below. To receive credit for floodproofing, 
the completed certificate must be submitted. 
The Residential Floodproofing Rating Credit may 
be grandfathered for those residential buildings 
with a valid Residential Basement Floodproofing 
Certificate that were constructed between the 
effective date and rescission date, but not on or 
after the rescission date. 

2. Non-Residential Buildings 
A completed Floodproofing Certificate for Non-
Residential Structures is required for all such 
buildings in Regular Program communities, located 
in zones A1–A30, AE, AR, AR Dual, AO, AH, and A 
with BFE, in order to receive credit for floodproofing 
in lieu of elevation. 

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APPROVEDCOMMUNITIESFORRESIDENTIALBASEMENT 
FLOODPROOFINGRATINGCREDIT 


COMMUNITY 
NUMBER 
STATE/ 
COMMUNITY NAME EFFECTIVE DATE1 STATUS2 
Alaska 
025009 Fairbanks N. Star Borough 2/28/73 Current 
Idaho 
160028 Ammon, City of 6/8/90 Current 
Iowa 
190488 
190031 
190309 
Clive, City of 
Independence, City of 
La Porte City, City of 
4/24/81 
9/7/89 
6/12/89 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Kansas 
200484 
200323 
200019 
200131 
200215 
200334 
200319 
200316 
200134 
Colwich, City of 
Derby, City of 
Great Bend, City of 
Halstead, City of 
Lindsborg, City of 
Rossville, City of 
Salina, City of 
Saline County 
Sedgwick, City of 
1/17/86 
2/15/833 
8/10/83 
7/8/83 
11/7/94 
2/18/92 
3/6/86 
1/14/86 
5/19/863 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Minnesota 
270267 
275235 
270080 
275236 
275244 
270414 
270273 
270274 
Alvarado, City of 
Clay County 
Dilworth, City of 
East Grand Forks, City of 
Moorhead, City of 
Roseau, City of 
Stephen, City of 
Warren, City of 
2/28/85 
3/28/75 
8/29/83 
5/15/863 
2/12/76 
7/14/92 
5/10/83 
9/24/82 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Nebraska 
310069 
310103 
310100 
310001 
310239 
310046 
310039 
310104 
Fremont, City of 
Grand Island, City of 
Hall County 
Hastings, City of 
North Bend, City of 
Schuyler, City of 
Sidney, City of 
Wood River, City of 
1/25/79 
7/29/80 
2/10/80 
7/8/83 
10/15/98 
9/17/91 
12/4/84 
1/12/82 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Current 
Rescinded 11/1/08 
Current 
Current 
Current 
New York 
360226 
360232 
Amherst, Town of 
Clarence, Town of 
11/20/78 
8/1/00 
Current 
Current 

1 Effective date corresponds to the date of the letter from FEMA that granted the community’s exception request. 
2 The Residential Floodproofing Rating Credit may be grandfathered for those residential buildings with a valid Residential Basement 
Floodproofing Certificate that were constructed between the effective date and rescission date, but not on or after the rescission date. 
3 The date the community adopted floodproofing ordinances. 

CERT5 OctOBeR 1, 2012 


APPROVEDCOMMUNITIESFORRESIDENTIALBASEMENT 
FLOODPROOFINGRATINGCREDITcontinued 


COMMUNITY 
NUMBER 
STATE/ 
COMMUNITY NAME EFFECTIVE DATE1 STATUS2 
NorthDakota 
380256 Barnes, Township of 1/22/82 Current 
380020 Casselton, City of 6/18/81 Current 
385364 Fargo, City of 3/26/753 Current 
380137 Grafton, City of 5/21/81 Current 
380338 Harwood, City of 12/19/85 Current 
380259 Harwood, Township of 1/22/82 Current 
380022 Horace, City of 1/22/82 Current 
380023 Mapleton, City of 1/22/823 Current 
380681 Oxbow, City of 6/1/923 Current 
380263 Pleasant, Township of 5/5/83 Current 
380257 Reed, Township of 1/22/82 Current 
380324 Reiles Acres, City of 8/23/82 Current 
380258 Stanley, Township of 2/8/82 Current 
380024 West Fargo, City of 6/5/78 Current 
SouthDakota 
460044 Madison, City of 8/30/83 Current 
Wisconsin 
550612 Allouez, Village of 1/11/933 Current 
550600 Ashwaubenon, Village of 10/27/78 Current 
550020 Brown County 2/21/793 Current 
550021 Depere, City of 10/27/78 Current 
550022 Green Bay, City of 10/27/78 Current 
550023 Howard, Village of 10/27/78 Current 
550309 Shiocton, Village of 8/1/98 Current 

1 Effective date corresponds to the date of the letter from FEMA that granted the community’s exception request. 
2 The Residential Floodproofing Rating Credit may be grandfathered for those residential buildings with a valid Residential Basement 
Floodproofing Certificate that were constructed between the effective date and rescission date, but not on or after the rescission date. 
3 The date the community adopted floodproofing ordinances. 

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2012 EDITION 
Voluntary-Use Date: August 1, 2012 
Mandatory-Use Date: August 1, 2013 


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