License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing
Fire Alarm Installer
Highlights
License required in 34 states18th most burdensome licensing requirements
19th most heavily regulated occupation
(Last updated April 24, 2012)
Definition
Fire alarm installers, also known as fire alarm technicians, install, program, maintain and repair fire alarm wiring and equipment and ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes.Summary
Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia require a license to work as a fire alarm installer. On average, these requirements cost aspiring fire alarm installers 486 days of education and training, $230 in licensing fees and require them to take one exam -- the 18th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied.License requirements for fire alarm installers vary widely across states. For example, Wyoming only requires the installer to take one exam, and Oklahoma has only a $75 fee, whereas Vermont has the most burdensome requirements at more than five years lost to experience, $250 in fees and one exam. In 15 of the 34 states, alarm installers are required to have two or more years of experience, often to obtain a level of electrician's license, while another 18 states do not require any education or experience.
(Last updated April 30, 2012)
State Licensing Requirements
| Burden Rank | State | Fees | Education/Experience (Days) | Exams | Minimum Grade | Minimum Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | $250 | 2,001 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $380 | 1,460 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| 3 | Oregon | $50 | 1,400 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| 4 | Idaho | $80 | 1,460 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Michigan | $200 | 1,095 | 1 | 0 | 20 |
| 6 | North Carolina | $165 | 1,095 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 7 | Arkansas | $240 | 1,095 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $35 | 1,095 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Maine | $200 | 996 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | West Virginia | $100 | 933 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 11 | Washington | $128 | 941 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Texas | $58 | 733 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $180 | 730 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | New Mexico | $186 | 730 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Mississippi | $150 | 730 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $330 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| 17 | Delaware | $133 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 18 |
| 18 | Nevada | $1,036 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $310 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| 20 | New York | $275 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 21 | South Carolina | $0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| 22 | Montana | $104 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $440 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Arizona | $645 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | Georgia | $330 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Louisiana | $230 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | California | $531 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | Utah | $172 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | Virginia | $345 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | Alaska | $250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | Alabama | $100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | Washington, D.C. | $96 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $75 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
(Last updated April 24, 2012)
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