State and Local Licensing for Installing Alarm and Fire Systems

ESA’S NATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS ARE THE MOST WIDELY RECOGNIZED PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAVING JURISDICTION (AHJS) FOR LICENSING.

We’ve gathered information to help you get the professional license required in your state to perform low voltage alarm system or fire system installation work. The authorities listed below recognize our training as fulfilling their licensing requirements.

Alabama

Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure

LICENSE: Low Voltage

LICENSE TYPES: Installer/Technician; Salesperson; Central Station; Locksmith; Owner; Manager/Branch Manager

ESA training options for licensure:

SALESPERSON

Understanding Electronic Security Systems

BURGLAR ALARM

Technician: Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I
Qualifying Agent: Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I and Advanced Intrusion Systems

CCTV SYSTEMS

Technician: Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I or Video System Technologies
Qualifying Agent: Video System Technologies

ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS

Technician: Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I OR Electronic Access Control
Qualifying Agent: Electronic Access Control

Alabama – Fire

Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office

LICENSE: Fire Alarm license for Commercial Only

LICENSE TYPES: Fire Alarm Contractor; Fire Alarm Technician

ESA training options for licensure:

Commercial Fire Alarm Technician: ESA Certified Fire Alarm Technician Level II (this is a series of courses + 24 months experience) is an approved alternative to the NICET Level II certification.

Alaska – Fire

Alaska State Fire Marshal’s Office

LICENSE: Fire Alarm Permits

LICENSE TYPES: Permit Types: IA; IB; IC; IB

ESA training options for licensure:

IA and IB Permits: ESA Certified Fire Alarm Technician (CFAT) (this is a series of training plus proof of 24 months field experience) is approved as the equivalent of the NICET Level II certification.
IC and IC-DO Permits: ESA Certified Fire Alarm Designer (CFAD) (this is a series of training plus proof of 36 months field experience) is approved as the equivalent of the NICET Level III certification.

Arkansas

Arkansas State Police

LICENSE: Intrusion & Fire Systems

LICENSE TYPES: Manager; Alarm Technician/Alarm Agent

ESA training options for licensure:

Class ”E” Unrestricted Alarm System Company Installer or Alarm Agent AND Class ”E” Restricted Alarm Systems Company Installer or Alarm Agent: ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I
Class “E” Unrestricted Alarm System Company Designated Manager AND Class “E” Restricted Alarm Systems Company Designated Manager: ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I, Fire Alarm Installation Methods (FAIM), and Advanced Intrusion Systems (AIS)

Florida

Electrical Contractors Licensing Board

LICENSE: Intrusion and Fire Systems

LICENSE TYPES: Owner-Contractor; Qualifying Manager; Installer; Sales

Florida ECLB Provider #0000856

ESA training options for licensure:

Alarm System Agents and/or Fire Systems Agents: BASA/FASA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I OR BASA/FASA 14 Hour

(These courses are also available in Spanish)

Georgia

There are no training requirements to obtain the state contractor license.

Cobb County Fire Marshal

LICENSE: Fire

Cobb County Code of Ordinances requires at least one individual on each fire alarm job hold a NICET or ESA Certified Fire Alarm Technician (CFAT) Level II certification — and must have proof of certification on their person. ESA’s Certified Fire Alarm Technician (CFAT) Level II is an approved alternative to the NICET certification.

Hawaii

State Fire Council/County Fire Marshal Offices

LICENSE: Certificate of Fitness (COF)

ESA training options for licensure:

ESA Certified Fire Alarm Technician Level II (this is a series of training + 24 months experience) is an approved alternative to NICET to meet the requirements for the issuance of the Fire Alarm Systems Level II Certificate of Fitness (COF).

Illinois

Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation – The Illinois Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor and Locksmith Board

LICENSE: Intrusion and Fire Systems

LICENSE TYPES: Owner-Contractor; Qualifying Manager; Installer; Sales

ESA training options for licensure:

ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I may be used to satisfy a private alarm contractor agency requirement to complete a minimum of 20 hours of training provided by a qualified instructor within 30 days of their employment. The substance of the training shall be related to the work performed by the registered employee.
ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level II and ESA Certified Fire Alarm Technician (CFAT) Level II are both approved as credit for 1 year of experience for someone applying for their contractors’ license. To obtain the license, an applicant must have a minimum of three years experience.

Iowa

Iowa State Fire Marshal

LICENSE: Intrusion and Fire Systems

LICENSE TYPES: Owner-Contractor; Qualifying Manager; Installer

ESA training options for licensure:

Security Alarm Installer, Alarm System Maintenance Inspector Installer, Dwelling Unit Alarm Installer, Alarm System Component Installer: ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I
Fire Alarm System Installer: ESA Certified Fire Alarm Technician (CFAT) Level II (this is a series of courses plus proof of 24 months field experience) OR ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level II (this is a series of courses plus proof of 24 months field experience)
Nurse Call System Contractor, Security Alarm System Contractor and Alarm System Maintenance Inspector Contractor: Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level II (series of courses plus proof of 24 months field experience)
Fire Alarm System Contractor: ESA Certified Fire Alarm Designer (CFAD) (this is a series of courses plus proof of 36 months field experience)

Kansas

There are no statewide training requirements.

Topeka Police Department

City of Wichita/Sedgwick County

LICENSE: Alarm Installation

LICENSE TYPES: Alarm Agents

ESA training options for licensure:

Alarm Installers: Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I for alarm installers in City of Topeka and City of Wichita/Sedgwick County

Kansas – Fire

City of Wichita/Sedgwick County

LICENSE: Fire Alarm

LICENSE TYPES: Fire Alarm technician

ESA training options for licensure:

Fire Alarm Technician (one wishing to engage in the business of or perform the act of installing, repairing or replacing fire alarm shall authorize such individual to engage in such activities): ESA Certified Fire Alarm Technician (CFAT) Level II certification is approved as an alternative to the NICET II certification.

Kentucky

There are no statewide licensing requirements for alarm installers.

Louisville – Jefferson County Police Department

LICENSE: Alarm Installation

LICENSE TYPES: Alarm Technician

ESA training options for licensure:

Technician: ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I for installers in Louisville/Jefferson County

Louisiana

Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office

LICENSE: Alarm, Fire, CCTV, Access Control

LICENSE TYPES: Owner-Contractor; Qualifying Manager; Installer; Sales

ESA training options for licensure:

Security Technician, Gate Systems Specialist, Qualifier – Household Fire, Qualifier – CCTV: ESA Certified Alarm Technician Level I
Household Fire Specialist: ESA Certified Alarm Technician Level I OR Residential Fire Alarm
CCTV Specialist: ESA Certified Alarm Technician Level I OR Video System Technologies
Special Locking Specialist: ESA Certified Alarm Technician Level I OR Electronic Access Control
Property Protection Sales Specialist: ESA Certified Alarm Technician Level I OR Understanding Electronic Security Systems
Fire Alarm Technician, Fire Alarm Owner Specialist, Non-Required Fire Alarm Specialist, Fire Alarm Owner: Fire Alarm Installation Methods
Qualifier – Property Protection Firms in Security: ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level II AND Life Safety Code
Qualifier – Non-Required Fire Alarm: Certified Fire Alarm Technician (CFAT) Level II
Qualifier – Fire Alarm: Certified Fire Alarm Designer (CFAD) Level III

Michigan – Fire

Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical Division

LICENSE: Fire

LICENSE TYPES: Fire Alarm Specialty Technician

ESA training options for licensure:

ESA Certified Fire Alarm Technician (CFAT) – a series of courses plus proof of 24 months field experience — to fulfill the requirement to be eligible to sit for the Fire Alarm Specialty Technician (FAST) exam.

Mississippi

Mississippi State Fire Marshal – Electronic Protection Systems Division

LICENSE: Intrusion and Fire Systems

LICENSE TYPES: Owner-Contractor; Qualifying Manager; Installer; Sales

ESA training options for licensure:

Class B License-System Technician: Certified Alarm Technician Level I, Advanced Intrusion Systems and Fire Alarm Installation Methods (all courses included in the CAT Level II Bundle)
Class C license-System Installer: ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT I) Level I
Class D license-System Salesperson: Understanding Electronic Security Systems

Missouri

There are no statewide licensing requirements for alarm installers.

St. Louis County

LICENSE: Alarm Agents

LICENSE TYPES: Alarm Agents

ESA training options for licensure:

Installers: Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I (in St. Louis County only)

Montana

Montana Board of Private Security

LICENSE: Alarm Company

LICENSE TYPES: Security Alarm Installer, Alarm Response Runner

ESA training options for licensure:

Montana 16 Hour Security Alarm Installer for prerequisite to licensure

Montana – Fire

Montana Fire Prevention Licensure Program

LICENSE: Individual Endorsement

LICENSE TYPES: Fire Alarm

ESA training options for licensure:

Individual Endorsement – Fire Alarm: ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CFAT) Level II

New York

NY Dept. of State Division of Licensing Services

LICENSE: Security/Fire Alarm Installer License

LICENSE TYPES: Owner/Contractor and Qualifying Manager for Burglar

ESA training options for licensure:

Security or Fire Alarm Qualifier: New York 81 Hour Security/Fire Alarm Installer License Course

NOTE: Online training is not approved for training in New York; Virtual Instructor-Led Classroom Training has temporary emergency approval during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

North Carolina

DPS Alarm Systems Licensing Board & State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors

LICENSE: Alarm Systems Business License

LICENSE TYPES: Owner-Contractor; Qualifying Manager; Installer; Sales

ESA training options for licensure:

Burglar Alarm Experience: Applicant must establish to the Board’s satisfaction two years’ experience within the past five years in alarm systems installation, service or alarm systems business management. If the applicant cannot establish this experience, the applicant must provide verification of completion of the ESA Certified Alarm Technician Level I course.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Dept. of Labor

LICENSE: Burglar, Fire, Access Control, CCTV

LICENSE TYPES: Technician and Fire Alarm Sales

ESA training options for licensure:

ESA’s National Training School is approved as an alternative examination entity for the following licenses:

OK Certified Alarm Technician Level I exam meets the requirements for the OK Burglar Technician and/or Residential Fire Technician/Salesperson exam
Fire Alarm Installation Methods exam meets the requirements for the OK Commercial Fire Technician/Salesperson exam
OK Electronic Access Control exam meets the requirements for the OK Electronic Access Control Technician exam
OK Video Systems Technologies exam* meets the requirements for the OK Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Technician exam

All training and testing options for Oklahoma

South Carolina

South Carolina Dept. of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

WEBSITE

EMAIL: Contact.CLB@llr.sc.gov

LICENSE: Burglar, Fire

LICENSE TYPES: Primary Qualifying Party

ESA training options for licensure:

Burglar Alarm Contractors: ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I OR ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level II
Fire Alarm Contractors: ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I OR ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level II

Tennessee

Alarm Systems Contractors Board

LICENSE: Burglar, Fire, CCTV

LICENSE TYPES: Owner-Contractor; Qualifying Manager; Installer; Sales

ESA training options for licensure:

Technician: ESA Certified Alarm Technician Level I
Salesperson: ESA Certified Alarm Technician Level I OR Security Sales Essentials
Qualifier – Burglar Alarm: ESA Certified Alarm Technician Level I OR Advanced Intrusion Systems
Qualifier – Fire Alarm: Fire Alarm Installation Methods OR ESA Certified Fire Alarm Designer (CFAD) Level III
Qualifier – CCTV: Video System Technologies

Texas

Texas Dept. of Public Safety Private Security Bureau

LICENSE: Burglar, Access Control

LICENSE TYPES: Owner-Contractor; Installer

ESA training options for licensure:

Burglar Alarm Installers: ESA Certified Alarm Technician Level I

Texas – Fire

Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office

LICENSE: Fire Alarm Signaling

LICENSE TYPES: Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent; Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent; Fire Alarm Technician; Residential Fire Alarm Technician

ESA training options for licensure:

Fire Alarm Technician (FAL) and Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent (RAS) Licenses: ESA Certified Fire Alarm Technician (CFAT) Level II (This is a series of courses plus proof of 24 months field experience)
Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent (APS) License: ESA Certified Fire Alarm Technician (CFAD) (This is a series of courses plus proof of 60 months field experience.)

Utah

Div. of Occupational and Professional Licensing

LICENSE: Burglar Alarm

LICENSE TYPES: Alarm Agents

ESA training options for licensure:

Alarm Agents: ESA Certified Alarm Technician (CAT) Level I

Washington – Fire

WA State Building Code Council

LICENSE: Fire Alarm

LICENSE TYPES: NICET II Installer; NICET III Designer

ESA training options for licensure:

Fire Alarm Testing/Maintenance: ESA Certified Fire Alarm Technician (CFAT) Level II (this is a series of courses plus 24 months of field experience) is an approved alternative to NICET Level II certificate
Fire alarm Design Review: ESA Certified Fire Alarm Designer (CFAD) Level III (this is a series of courses plus proof of 60 months of field experience) is an approved alternative to NICET Level III certificate