Fire protection licensing, state by state.

Regulated by

State Fire Marshal's Office, Texas Department of Insurance

Contractor credential

Sprinkler Certificate of Registration, in General, Underground and Dwelling classes. A firm cannot be registered without a licensed employee.

Individual credential

Responsible Managing Employee, in four classes: General (RME-G), Dwelling (RME-D), Underground (RME-U) and General Inspector (RME-I).

Where NICET sits

The NICET test must be passed and the proof is a test-completion letter, not a certificate. RME-G requires the Water-Based Systems Layout Level III test, RME-D the Level II test, and RME-I the Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems Level II test. Technical exams may be waived for a licensed Professional Engineer.

Experience and exam

Every class must pass the Fire Sprinkler Statutes and Rules test in addition to its technical test. No experience minimum is stated on the licensing page.

Renewal

Every two years.

Source: www.tdi.texas.gov

Regulated by

State Fire Marshal's Office, Texas Department of Insurance

Contractor credential

Alarm Certificate of Registration, with branch office and single-station variants.

Individual credential

Six licences: Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent, Fire Alarm Technician, Fire Alarm Monitoring Technician, Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent, Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent Single Station, and Residential Fire Alarm Technician.

Where NICET sits

A Planning Superintendent may qualify by passing the NICET Level III Fire Alarm Systems test, by holding an ESA Level III Fire Alarm Designer certification, or by being a Texas Professional Engineer. The technician exam may be waived by passing the NICET Level II test. Proof is again the completion letter.

Experience and exam

All applicants except the residential technician must pass the Fire Alarm Statutes and Rules test. No experience minimum is stated on the licensing page.

Renewal

Every two years.

Source: tdi.texas.gov

Regulated by

Division of State Fire Marshal, Florida Department of Financial Services

Contractor credential

Fire Protection System Contractor certificate, Classes I through V. Class II is limited to water-based systems and standpipes; Class V covers underground piping only.

Individual credential

Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector permit, required of anyone inspecting water-based systems for a Contractor I or II certificate holder.

Where NICET sits

The inspector permit requires the certification to be held and kept. The statute directs the State Fire Marshal to require NICET Level II in the sub-field of Inspection and Testing of Fire Protection Systems, and the rule makes maintaining it a condition of renewal. The Contractor I to V certificates themselves carry no NICET requirement.

Experience and exam

Contractor I and II require four years of proven experience with a fire protection system contractor. Contractor IV requires an existing plumbing contractor certification plus at least 40 contact hours on NFPA 13D. A division examination is required and the passing grade is 70 percent.

Renewal

Certificates expire every two years at midnight on 30 June. Contractors I to III carry 32 contact hours of continuing education per biennium.

Source: www.flsenate.gov

Regulated by

Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Contractor credential

Certified Alarm System Contractor I, which covers all types of alarm system for all purposes. Contractor II expressly excludes fire. Registered tiers exist but may only contract in the jurisdictions their registration names.

Individual credential

None issued by the state. Fire alarm system agents carry an identification card issued by their employing contractor, signed by both the contractor and the holder.

Where NICET sits

Not mentioned for the contractor certification. For fire alarm system agents, holding NICET Level II or above reduces the initial training requirement from 14 hours to 2 hours on false alarm prevention.

Experience and exam

Several qualifying routes, the shortest being three years of proven management experience in the trade. For Contractor I specifically, at least 40 percent of the work experience must be in the types of fire alarm system typically used in a commercial setting. A certification examination is required.

Renewal

Biennial, expiring 31 August of every even year, with at least 7 classroom hours of continuing education per biennium.

Source: www.flsenate.gov

Regulated by

Contractors State License Board, California Department of Consumer Affairs, with a separate programme at the Office of the State Fire Marshal

Contractor credential

C-16 Fire Protection Contractor. Installing a fire protection system, excluding an electrical alarm system, may be done only by a contractor holding this classification. The State Fire Marshal separately issues an Automatic Extinguishing Systems Company License.

Individual credential

Sprinkler Fitter Certificate of Competency, issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Every CSLB licence also names a qualifying individual, which is a role on the licence rather than a licence of its own.

Where NICET sits

Not mentioned on the C-16 classification page, in the statute that requires the classification, or in the State Fire Marshal sprinkler fitter application.

Experience and exam

The CSLB classification requires at least four years of journey-level or equivalent experience and a written examination. The Sprinkler Fitter Certificate of Competency requires 7,000 hours and five years for commercial work, or 3,500 hours and two years for multi-family residential.

Renewal

Active CSLB licences expire every two years.

Source: www.cslb.ca.gov

Regulated by

Contractors State License Board for the classification; Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, Department of Industrial Relations, for the individual certification

Contractor credential

C-10 Electrical Contractor. C-16 excludes electrical alarm systems and C-7 Low Voltage Systems expressly does not include low voltage fire alarm, so fire alarm work falls to C-10.

Individual credential

Fire/Life Safety Technician, one of five electrician certification categories under 8 CCR 291.0.

Where NICET sits

Holding NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level II or above satisfies the experience requirement for the Fire/Life Safety Technician certification in place of the hours. It substitutes for experience, not for the examination, which is still required.

Experience and exam

4,000 hours of work for a C-10 electrical contractor on systems covered by Article 760 of the National Electrical Code, or NICET Level II or above, plus a certification examination.

Renewal

The Fire/Life Safety Technician certification runs three years and renewal requires 2,000 hours of industry work and 32 hours of continuing education. The C-10 licence renews every two years.

Source: www.dir.ca.gov

Regulated by

New York City Department of Buildings

Contractor credential

Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor License, Class A, B or C. There is no New York State fire sprinkler contractor licence.

Individual credential

Journeyman Fire Suppression Piping Installer Registration. The Master licence is itself held by an individual who qualifies the business.

Where NICET sits

Not mentioned in any of the five qualification paths. New York City qualifies on experience, an engineering degree, or professional engineer or registered architect status.

Experience and exam

The standard path is at least seven years of total experience within the ten years before application, including at least two years as a registered journeyman fire suppression piping installer. A written examination is required and the passing score is 70 percent with no reference materials permitted.

Renewal

No renewal cycle stated on the primary source.

Source: www.nyc.gov

Regulated by

New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services

Contractor credential

None separate. The Security or Fire Alarm Installer License is issued to an individual, who licenses the business activity.

Individual credential

Security or Fire Alarm Installer License.

Where NICET sits

Not mentioned in the state requirements. It does appear one level down: the New York City Fire Department will issue the S-98 Certificate of Fitness for a fire alarm inspection, testing and service technician without examination where the applicant works for an approved company and holds NICET fire alarm Level II or above, or a city Master Electrician licence.

Experience and exam

At least 81 hours of qualifying education across five modules, one of which is fire technology, plus an alarm installer examination. No prior work experience hours are stated. A master electrician waiver route exists.

Renewal

Two years.

Source: dos.ny.gov

Regulated by

City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections

Contractor credential

Fire Suppression Systems Contractor License. Pennsylvania has no state-level licensure for most construction contractors and none for fire suppression.

Individual credential

Fire Suppression Systems Worker License, with apprentice, specialty and kitchen fire extinguishing system variants.

Where NICET sits

The Philadelphia contractor licence requires the company to employ at least one full-time individual holding a NICET certificate at Level II or higher in the applicable category, or a Pennsylvania Professional Engineer with relevant fire suppression design experience. At worker level NICET is not an entry requirement but does excuse the 24 hours of renewal continuing education.

Experience and exam

The worker licence requires completion of a registered fire suppression apprenticeship: 8,000 hours hands-on plus 800 hours of classroom instruction, and the Philadelphia installer examination administered by the International Code Council.

Renewal

Contractor licence annually. Worker licence every three years, with 24 continuing education hours unless the holder carries current NICET Level II or above or the ASSE water-based certification.

Source: www.phila.gov

Regulated by

City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections

Contractor credential

None. Philadelphia runs fire alarm installation through the electrical contractor licence; there is no separate fire alarm contractor licence and no state licence.

Individual credential

Fire Alarm Inspector's License. Each inspector at a company holds their own.

Where NICET sits

One of exactly three qualifying credentials: NICET Level II or higher in fire alarms, listing as a UL protective signalling company, or Pennsylvania Professional Engineer registration with fire alarm expertise. Licensed electrical contractors are exempt from the inspector licence.

Experience and exam

The qualifying credential is the requirement. Fee $284.

Renewal

Annual.

Source: www.phila.gov

Regulated by

Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, Division of Fire Prevention and Building Safety

Contractor credential

Fire Sprinkler Contractor License, qualified by either a Designated Certified Person or a Responsible Managing Employee. Applicants new since 1 July 2021 must use a Designated Certified Person.

Individual credential

Fire Sprinkler Inspector License.

Where NICET sits

The Designated Certified Person must hold either a current Illinois Professional Engineer licence or current NICET Level III or IV certification in Water-Based Systems Layout. The inspector licence accepts one of four held credentials: NICET Level III in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems, the NFPA water-based inspection testing and maintenance certification, ASSE 15010, or a US Department of Labor approved sprinkler fitter apprenticeship.

Experience and exam

The Responsible Managing Employee route requires three years of work experience with verifiable references. Inspectors must be at least 21. Liability coverage of not less than $500,000 per person and $1,000,000 per occurrence is required.

Renewal

Two years for both, with 16 hours of continuing education and a minimum of 8 hours annually.

Source: sfm.illinois.gov

Regulated by

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation

Contractor credential

Licensed Private Alarm Contractor Agency, with a separate branch office licence. Not a Fire Marshal licence: the Fire Marshal does not license fire alarm work in Illinois.

Individual credential

Licensed Private Alarm Contractor. Employees carry a Permanent Employee Registration Card.

Where NICET sits

Not mentioned. The qualification rules grant experience credit for a four-year electrical engineering or related degree, a business degree, and a National Board approved certification, but do not name NICET.

Experience and exam

Three years of experience in the five years immediately preceding application, reducible by the education credits, plus the examination and proof of $1,000,000 commercial general liability insurance.

Renewal

Every three years, expiring 31 May regardless of when the licence was issued.

Source: idfpr.illinois.gov

Regulated by

Division of State Fire Marshal, Ohio Department of Commerce, for certification; Ohio Board of Building Standards for designers

Contractor credential

Fire Protection Company Certification. Note that fire protection is not one of the licensed trades under the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board, which covers HVAC, refrigeration, electrical, plumbing and hydronics only.

Individual credential

Individual Fire Protection Certification, by test category, covering automatic sprinkler and standpipe systems, fire service mains and water tanks, fire pumps and fire pump diesel technicians. Separately, a water-based fire protection system designer certification.

Where NICET sits

Not mentioned anywhere in the State Fire Marshal certification. Required to be held for the designer certification, which calls for evidence of a current NICET Level III or Level IV certification and requires it to be maintained at renewal.

Experience and exam

A category examination is required for the individual certification, closed book, two hours, passing at 70 percent. No job experience or training is required for the sprinkler categories.

Renewal

Individual certification annually, expiring by surname across four dates. Company certification annually on 1 July. Designer certification annually.

Source: codes.ohio.gov

Regulated by

Division of State Fire Marshal, Ohio Department of Commerce, for certification; Ohio Board of Building Standards for designers

Contractor credential

Fire Protection Company Certification, the same credential as sprinkler.

Individual credential

Individual Fire Protection Certification in the fire alarm and detection equipment category, or household fire warning equipment only. Separately, a fire alarm system designer certification.

Where NICET sits

Not mentioned for the State Fire Marshal certification. Required to be held for the fire alarm system designer certification, at NICET Level III or Level IV.

Experience and exam

An examination is required for the individual certification. No job experience or training is required for the fire alarm categories.

Renewal

As for sprinkler: individual and company annually, designer annually.

Source: codes.ohio.gov

Regulated by

Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire

Contractor credential

Fire protection sprinkler contractor license, with each business location separately licensed and $1 million comprehensive liability coverage required.

Individual credential

Three separate credentials: certificate of competency, fire protection sprinkler system inspector license, and Fire Protection System Designer License.

Where NICET sits

The certificate of competency is earned by current NICET certification at Level III or Level IV in automatic sprinkler system layout, and renewal requires proof of maintaining it at or above Level III. The inspector licence requires a held NICET Level II in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems. The designer licence instead requires proof that all work elements necessary for NICET Level II in Automatic Sprinkler System Layout have been passed, or Georgia professional engineer registration.

Experience and exam

No stated years-of-experience minimum. The NICET credential is the competency test. Inspectors must additionally be employed by a licensed contractor carrying at least $1 million liability coverage.

Renewal

Annual, expiring 31 December, with renewal applications accepted between 1 August and 1 December.

Source: rules.sos.ga.gov

Regulated by

Georgia State Board of Low Voltage Contractors, Georgia Secretary of State

Contractor credential

None separate. A business must have a licensed individual engaged in the work full time, with at least one stationed in each branch office.

Individual credential

Low-Voltage Contractor License, Class LV-A for alarm systems, or Class LV-U unrestricted. Fire sits inside the statutory definition of an alarm system.

Where NICET sits

Not mentioned in the statute, the board pages, or the examination application. Note also that the Safety Fire Commissioner, which runs the sprinkler side, has no fire alarm licensing rule at all.

Experience and exam

At least one year of installation experience in alarm work, an examination, a business law examination, three notarised references including at least one from a licensed low-voltage contractor, and a background check.

Renewal

Biennial, by 30 November of odd-numbered years.

Source: sos.ga.gov

Regulated by

North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors

Contractor credential

Fire Sprinkler Installation Contractor, Fire Sprinkler Inspection Contractor, and Residential Fire Sprinkler Installation Contractor.

Individual credential

Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician, Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician, and a Residential Fire Sprinkler Design licence.

Where NICET sits

Held at contractor level and still not a substitute for the examination: the installation contractor must hold current NICET Fire Protection Engineering Level III in Automatic Sprinkler System Layout, and the inspection contractor NICET or ACE Level III in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems, with an examination required on top of either. One level down it works the other way: an inspection technician holding NICET or ACE Level II may be licensed without examination.

Experience and exam

Inspection technicians need two years and 4,000 hours of full-time experience in inspecting and testing installed systems, or the Level II credential in lieu of examination. Maintenance technicians need one year and 2,000 hours. The residential contractor route requires an active plumbing contractor licence held for at least two years plus a 16-hour approved course.

Renewal

Annual. All licences expire on 31 December and there is no grace period.

Source: nclicensing.org

Regulated by

North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors

Contractor credential

Electrical contracting licence, Special Restricted classification Fire Alarm/Low Voltage. The licence is held by the business, which must list at least one qualified individual.

Individual credential

None standalone. The individual credential is the listed qualified individual who passes the examination and is named on the licence.

Where NICET sits

Accepted as experience rather than required: time spent holding NICET certification on NFPA 72 at Levels I through IV counts as 100 percent creditable primary experience, applicable to the Fire Alarm/Low Voltage licence only. It does not substitute for the examination.

Experience and exam

At least two years of qualifying experience, of which at least one year must be primary experience, plus a written examination passed at 70 out of 100.

Renewal

Annual, one year after the date of issuance rather than on a fixed calendar date.

Source: www.ncbeec.org

Regulated by

Office of the State Fire Marshal, Washington State Patrol, acting as the state director of fire protection

Contractor credential

Fire protection sprinkler system contractor's license, at Levels 1, 2, 3, U and inspection and testing.

Individual credential

Certificate of competency for design and layout, at Levels 1, 2, 3, U and Inspection and Testing Technician. Separately, journey-level, residential-level and trainee-level sprinkler fitter certificates.

Where NICET sits

The statute treats NICET as an examination substitute, but the rule leaves no alternative at the top. Level 2 and Level 3 design certifications have no examination pathway at all: the applicant must present a current NICET certificate at that level in water-based fire protection systems layout, or be a Washington professional engineer. Level 1 allows an examination at 80 percent, NICET Level 2, or a PE licence. The Inspection and Testing Technician requires NICET Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Level 2 or 3, or the ASSE 15010 certification. Sprinkler fitter certificates do not mention NICET.

Experience and exam

Journey-level sprinkler fitter requires at least 8,000 hours of trade-related fire protection sprinkler experience, no more than 3,000 of them residential, plus an examination passed at 80 percent. Residential-level requires 4,000 hours.

Renewal

Contractor licence and certificate of competency annually before 1 January. Sprinkler fitter certificates by 1 January of every odd-numbered year.

Source: app.leg.wa.gov

Regulated by

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries for licensing; the building code, enforced at permitting, for the NICET requirement

Contractor credential

Electrical contractor licence, either general electrical or the (06) limited energy system specialty, whose scope expressly covers fire protection signalling systems. There is no fire alarm contractor licence from the State Fire Marshal.

Individual credential

Specialty electrician certificate of competency, (06) limited energy system. No state fire alarm technician or designer licence exists as such.

Where NICET sits

Required to be held, but by the building code rather than the licence, which is why it catches employers out. WAC 51-54A-0907 requires that all construction documents be reviewed by a NICET III, an ESA/NTS Certified Fire Alarm Designer Level III, or a Washington professional engineer before being submitted for permitting, and that inspection, testing, maintenance and programming outside the electrical construction trade be completed by a NICET II or an ESA/NTS Certified Fire Alarm Technician Level II. NICET appears nowhere in the licensing rules.

Experience and exam

The (06) limited energy system specialty certificate requires 4,000 hours of qualifying work experience plus the specialty examination.

Renewal

Electrician certificate every three years on the holder’s birthdate, with 24 hours of continuing education. Electrical contractor licence every two years.

Source: app.leg.wa.gov

Regulated by

Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Colorado Department of Public Safety

Contractor credential

Fire suppression system contractor registration, in five classes: commercial, residential, underground, backflow and premanufactured. Required of any individual or company employing people who work on, design, test, inspect or install any part of a fire suppression system.

Individual credential

Sprinkler fitter registration, plus a premanufactured system fire suppression special inspector certification. The contractor registration also turns on a named Responsible Managing Employee.

Where NICET sits

The Responsible Managing Employee must be a professional engineer, or hold NICET Level III or IV in fire protection engineering technologies or automatic sprinkler layout, or be a registered sprinkler fitter. There is no examination substitute for the NICET route. The backflow class requires a cross-connection certification instead, and NICET is not mentioned in the sprinkler fitter requirements.

Experience and exam

Sprinkler fitter registration requires at least 8,000 hours of practical work experience on fire suppression systems within the past five years, or completion of an accredited apprenticeship, plus a Division-approved examination.

Renewal

Contractor registration annually, expiring 31 December. Sprinkler fitter registration annually, on a 1 July to 30 June year.

Source: dfpc.colorado.gov

Regulated by

None at state level. Local authorities having jurisdiction, of which the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department is the most demanding

Contractor credential

None. The electricians article states that nothing in it requires licensing covering the installation, maintenance, repair or alteration of fire alarm systems operating at fifty volts or less.

Individual credential

None at state level.

Where NICET sits

Nothing at state level, because there is no state rule to contain it. Locally it is a hard requirement: the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, which covers Colorado Springs, El Paso County and Woodland Park, requires NICET Level III or IV or a Colorado professional engineer licence for a Fire Alarm Contractor A, and NICET Level II or higher or a PE for Contractor B.

Experience and exam

Set locally. Where Pikes Peak applies, the NICET or PE credential is itself the qualification.

Renewal

No renewal cycle stated on the primary source.

Source: content.leg.colorado.gov

Regulated by

Arizona Registrar of Contractors

Contractor credential

C-16 Fire Protection Systems for commercial work, R-16 for residential, CR-16 for both. The scope covers systems using water, steam, gas or chemicals, and includes low voltage signalling systems within the fire protection system.

Individual credential

None. The licence belongs to the business, not to the qualifying party, who is an individual named on the licence rather than a licence holder. The Office of the State Fire Marshal issues no sprinkler credential; its role is enforcement of the Arizona fire codes.

Where NICET sits

Not mentioned in the classification rules, the Registrar of Contractors licensing pages, or the governing statute.

Experience and exam

The qualifying party needs at least four years of practical or management trade experience, at least two of them within the last ten years, with technical training substituting for up to two years. Two examinations must each be passed at 70 percent: the trade examination, which is waivable in some cases, and the Arizona Statutes and Rules Examination, which is not.

Renewal

Biennial.

Source: roc.az.gov

Regulated by

Arizona Registrar of Contractors

Contractor credential

C-67 Low Voltage Communication Systems for commercial work, R-67 residential, CR-67 both, whose scope lists alarm systems and low voltage signalling devices. Where the work sits inside a fire protection system, C-16 also reaches low voltage signalling systems, and no published rule settles which classification governs standalone fire alarm work.

Individual credential

None. Arizona does have an alarm business and alarm agent certification at the Board of Technical Registration, but it expressly excludes the installation and monitoring of fire alarm systems, so it does not apply here.

Where NICET sits

Not mentioned in the classification rules, the Registrar of Contractors materials, or the alarm statutes.

Experience and exam

As for C-16: four years of practical or management trade experience with at least two in the last ten, plus the trade examination and the non-waivable Statutes and Rules Examination, each at 70 percent.

Renewal

Biennial.

Source: roc.az.gov