Finding an access control installer in Alabama

Door access goes unmentioned in the licensing rules of many states. Alabama, however, includes it. You can find the reference on the board's statutory authority page, which cites Code of Alabama Section 34-1A. A license is mandatory for anyone who sells, installs, services or monitors access control and CCTV systems.

Locksmith work and burglar alarms fall under the same board's oversight. That means the AESBL has authority over a company installing card readers, keypads or electric strikes (door locks that release once a reader approves). There are exceptions, and you can find them listed in Section 34-1A-6.

A resident Qualifying Agent has to be appointed by every company. The licensed person who backs the company's work is this agent. The company also has to register any staff who install equipment or can view customer system data.

The board's rules set the training requirements. A Qualifying Agent for electronic access control has to complete a board-approved certification course and pass a proctored exam, per Rule 304-X-1-.05. Installers, too, must complete a class and pass a test. Every 2 years, you renew and show that you've earned 16 hours of continuing education.

• You must show you carry general liability insurance of at least $250,000.
• A business license from a state, city or county authority in Alabama.
• A criminal background check at the federal and state level for each applicant.
• The board posts a how to get licensed page with the fee schedule; examples include $300 for a sole proprietor and $400 for a corporation or LLC.

When the tech comes to your door, ask to see the ID badge the board gives out. According to the AESBL, licensed people must keep the badge on them and display it to anyone. Advertisements, vans, contracts and business cards all ought to show the company’s license number as well.

The board puts a list of licensed companies on its website. Workers aren't named in the public list, so the AESBL licensing FAQ says you should call the office to check a person. An out-of-state license doesn't count here because Alabama doesn't have reciprocity with any other state.

Certain doors are made to release during a fire alarm. In Alabama, fire alarm work requires its own permit. Chapter 34-33A requires that any fire alarm contractor carry a State Fire Marshal's permit and employ a NICET Level III technician.

The building rules that apply to maglocks and powered exit doors vary by building. According to the Division of Construction Management, the State Building Code adopts the 2021 International Building Code along with the 2020 National Electrical Code. Schools, hotels, movie theaters and state work all fall under that code. DCM doesn't oversee most other commercial property, so check with your city or county building office.

No, it doesn't on its own. The board's rules split locksmith services and electronic access control into two different areas, and each one calls for its own training course and test. Find out which areas the Qualifying Agent for the company is certified in.