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Low Voltage / Alarm Installer
Low voltage installer licensing covers security alarms, fire alarms, structured cabling, CCTV, access control, and more. Most states require a specific license separate from a standard electrician license. Compare requirements across all 50 states.
51
Total States
49
License Required
37
Exam Required
$252
Avg Initial Fees
Low voltage installer licensing is regulated at the state level, with requirements varying significantly. Here are the three key areas you need to understand.
Most states require a specific low voltage or alarm installer license, separate from a standard electrician license. License types include low voltage contractor, alarm system contractor, limited energy technician, and fire alarm installer — each with different scopes of work.
Many states require a licensing exam covering NEC code, NFPA 72 fire alarm standards, and state-specific regulations. NICET Fire Alarm Systems certification (Levels I-IV) and ESA certifications are widely recognized and may satisfy some state requirements.
Most states require general liability insurance ($1M+ minimum) and may require a surety bond ($10,000-$50,000 typical). Workers' compensation is required for employers in most states. E&O insurance is recommended for alarm monitoring companies.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | License Req | License Name | Exam | Total Fees | Renewal | CE Req | Confidence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Yes | Low Voltage License (Alarm System, Structured Cabling) | Yes | $225-$550 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Yes | Electrical Administrator License (Limited) | Yes | $250-$700 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Yes | CR-67 Low Voltage Communication Systems (ROC) | Yes | $375-$850 | Biennial (every 2 years) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Yes | Alarm Systems License | No | $100-$350 | Annual | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | Yes | C-7 Low Voltage Systems Contractor (CSLB) | Yes | $525-$1,760 | Biennial (every 2 years) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | No | No statewide low voltage license (local jurisdictions may require permits) | N/A | $50-$100 | Varies by locality | N/A | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Yes | E-2 Limited Electrical Contractor (Low Voltage) | Yes | $295-$925 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Yes | Alarm Installer License | No | $125-$350 | Annual | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Yes | Low Voltage Installer License (DC) | Yes | $250-$800 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Yes | EF (Alarm System Contractor I) or EL (Specialty) | Yes | $425-$1,200 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Yes | Low Voltage Contractor License | Yes | $300-$800 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Yes | Specialty Contractor License (C-62 or C-7) | Yes | $270-$700 | Biennial (every 2 years) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Yes | Limited Electrical Installer (LEI) | Yes | $200-$450 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Yes | Alarm Contractor License (IDFPR) | No | $250-$800 | Biennial (every 2 years) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Yes | Fire Alarm and Security Alarm Contractor License | Yes | $175-$550 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Yes | Class C or Special Electrician License | Yes | $150-$350 | Triennial (every 3 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Yes | Fire Alarm System Contractor Registration | No | $100-$265 | Annual | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Yes | Low Voltage License | Yes | $165-$450 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Yes | Alarm System Contractor License | No | $175-$600 | Annual | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Yes | Limited Electrician (Low Energy) License | Yes | $225-$450 | Triennial (every 3 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Yes | Low Voltage Electrician License | Yes | $225-$650 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Yes | Systems Technician D License (Low Voltage Electrician) | Yes | $700-$1,450 | Triennial (every 3 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Yes | Fire Alarm Specialty License | Yes | $175-$400 | Triennial (every 3 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Yes | Technology Systems Contractor License | Yes | $330-$650 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Yes | Alarm Systems Contractor License | No | $150-$500 | Annual | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | No | No statewide low voltage license (St. Louis, Kansas City, and other municipalities may require local licenses) | N/A | $50-$150 | Varies by locality | N/A | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Yes | Electrical Permit (Low Voltage Exempt below 50V in some cases) | No | $120-$300 | Annual | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Yes | Fire Alarm Installer License | Yes | $200-$450 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Yes | C-2d Low Voltage Systems License | Yes | $525-$1,250 | Biennial (every 2 years) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Yes | Low Voltage Electrician License | Yes | $200-$450 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Yes | Burglar and Fire Alarm Business License | Yes | $425-$1,450 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Yes | EE-98J Journeyman Alarm Systems Technician | Yes | $175-$500 | Triennial (every 3 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Yes | Low Voltage Installer License (NYC DOB); varies by locality | Yes | $400-$1,150 | Triennial (every 3 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Yes | SP-LV Limited License (Low Voltage) | Yes | $325-$750 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Yes | Class B Electrician (Low Voltage/Communications) | Yes | $200-$400 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Yes | Fire Alarm and Detection License | Yes | $224-$550 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Yes | Alarm and Locksmith Industry License | No | $150-$350 | Annual | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Yes | Limited Energy Technician (LET) License | Yes | $300-$700 | Triennial (every 3 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Yes | Burglar and Fire Alarm License (Bureau of Security) | Yes | $300-$800 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Yes | Fire Alarm Installer License | Yes | $250-$650 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Yes | Alarm System Business License (SLED) | No | $210-$600 | Biennial (every 2 years) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Yes | Low Voltage Technician License | Yes | $250-$400 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Yes | Alarm Systems Contractor License | No | $200-$600 | Annual | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Yes | Burglar Alarm Company/Employee License (TDLR) | Yes | $450-$1,300 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Yes | Alarm Company and Alarm Agent License | No | $170-$450 | Biennial (every 2 years) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Yes | Fire Alarm System Designer/Installer Registration | No | $175-$300 | Annual | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Yes | Electronic Security Business License (DCJS) | Yes | $300-$750 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Yes | Telecommunications (06A) Specialty License (L&I) | Yes | $400-$1,100 | Triennial (every 3 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Yes | Fire Alarm Installer License | Yes | $200-$450 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Yes | Fire Alarm System Installer License | Yes | $255-$600 | Biennial (every 2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | Yes | Low Voltage Technician License | Yes | $200-$400 | Annual | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
Low voltage installers often work alongside other licensed professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.