Low voltage license requirements by state
Who may install access control depends on the state. Some states license low voltage or alarm contractors statewide, some fold the work into an electrical license, and some leave licensing to cities and counties.
- Places covered
- 51 (50 states and DC)
- A state license covers the work
- 36 places
- Only a related license applies
- 9 places
- Licensed by the city or county
- 6 places
Licenses for access control and low voltage, by state
"Yes" means a statewide license is needed for door access work. "Related license only" means no state license is written for door access work, though an electrical, alarm or contractor license may still be needed for parts of it, such as line voltage power or a fire alarm link.
| State | State license needed? | License for this work | Issued by | Exam | Check a license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Electronic Security Company License (AESBL): Electronic Access Control (A); also Burglar Alarm (B), CCTV (S), Locksmith (L) | Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure (AESBL) | Yes | Open the Alabama lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Alaska | Related license only | No access control license found; Electrical Administrator License and Construction Contractor registration apply to related work | Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing | Not stated | Open the Alaska lookupSearch the company; its electrical or alarm license covers the wiring. |
| Arizona | Yes | Low Voltage Communication Systems contractor license: C-67 (commercial), R-67 (residential), CR-67 (dual); alarm agent and controlling person certificates from BTR | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC); Arizona State Board of Technical Registration for alarm businesses | Yes | Open the Arizona lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Arkansas | Yes | Alarm Systems Company License: Class E Restricted, Class E Unrestricted (fire alarm), Class E-S, Class E-M, Class G | Arkansas State Police, Regulatory Services Division (Private Investigators, Security and Alarm) | Yes | City or county officeSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| California | Yes | C-7 Low Voltage Systems Contractor (CSLB); Alarm Company Operator (BSIS): C-7, or C-10 Electrical; ACO with Qualified Manager | Contractors State License Board; Bureau of Security and Investigative Services | Yes | Open the California lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Colorado | City or county | Access Control System Supervisor certificate (Denver); no statewide license found | City and County of Denver, Community Planning and Development, Contractor Licensing | Yes | Open the Colorado lookupNo state license; the city or county keeps the records. |
| Connecticut | Yes | Limited Electrical Contractor License: C-5 (low voltage, alarm, signal, telephone-interconnect up to 48 V or 8 A); L-5 (low voltage, alarm, signal up to 25 V or 5 A); E-1 unlimited | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Occupational and Professional Licensing (Electrical Work Examining Board) | Yes | Open the Connecticut lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Delaware | Related license only | Security Systems and Protective Services Agency License (security alarm business): Agency license; alarm employee ID card for each worker | Delaware State Police, Professional Licensing Section (Board of Examiners of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies) | Not stated | Open the Delaware lookupSearch the company; its electrical or alarm license covers the wiring. |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Electrician License (Low Voltage): Electrician Master Limited Low Voltage; Electrician Contractor Specialist, Low Voltage (alarm dealer and alarm agent licenses for alarm work) | DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Board of Industrial Trades | Yes | Open the District of Columbia lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Florida | Yes | Certified Alarm System Contractor / Limited Energy Systems Specialty Contractor: EF (Alarm I, all alarms), EG (Alarm II, no fire), ES (Limited Energy Specialty); registered versions EY, EZ, ET; EC covers all | Florida Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board, Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) | Yes | Open the Florida lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Georgia | Yes | Low Voltage Contractor License: LV-A (alarm and general), LV-G (general), LV-T (telecom and general), LV-U (unrestricted) | Georgia State Board of Low Voltage Contractors (Division of Low Voltage Contractors), Secretary of State | Yes | Open the Georgia lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Hawaii | Yes | Specialty Contractor License: C-15 Electronic systems contractor (C-15a Fire and burglar alarm; C-13 Electrical contractor also covers C-15 work) | Hawaii Contractors License Board, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division | Yes | Open the Hawaii lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Idaho | Yes | Limited Electrical Contractor / Limited Electrical Installer, Limited Energy category: Limited energy limited electrical license | Idaho Electrical Board, Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) | Yes | Open the Idaho lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Illinois | Yes | Private Alarm Contractor License / Private Alarm Contractor Agency License: Private alarm contractor (individual, no employees); private alarm contractor agency (with employees) | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) | Yes | Open the Illinois lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Indiana | City or county | No statewide license found; local electrical contractor licenses (e.g. Indianapolis Electrical Contractor License) | Local governments; in Indianapolis, the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) | Not stated | Open the Indiana lookupNo state license; the city or county keeps the records. |
| Iowa | Yes | Alarm System Contractor License: Security alarm system installation endorsement | Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) | Not stated | Open the Iowa lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Kansas | City or county | No statewide license found; local licenses (e.g. MABCD alarm technician certificate, Johnson County Class DE / DFA) | Cities and counties (e.g. Sedgwick County MABCD; Johnson County Contractor Licensing) | Not stated | City or county officeNo state license; the city or county keeps the records. |
| Kentucky | Yes | Electrical Contractor License: Electrical contractor; master electrician; electrician | Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (HBC), Electrical Division | Yes | Open the Kentucky lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Louisiana | Yes | Life Safety and Property Protection License, Security Technical Endorsement: Security technical endorsement (or Special Locking specialty endorsement) | Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal | Not stated | Open the Louisiana lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Maine | Yes | Limited Electrician License, Low-Energy Electronics: Limited electrician: low-energy electronics, including fire alarms | Maine Electricians' Examining Board, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation | Yes | Open the Maine lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Maryland | Yes | Security Systems Agency License (plus Security Systems Technician registration for each installer) | Maryland Department of State Police, Licensing Division | Not stated | City or county officeSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Systems Technician License; Systems Contractor License: Class D (systems technician), Class C (systems contractor) | Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians, Division of Occupational Licensure | Yes | Open the Massachusetts lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Michigan | Yes | Security Alarm Systems Registration (system provider); Security Alarm Contractor Agency License | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau | Yes | Open the Michigan lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Minnesota | Yes | Power Limited Technician (personal); Technology System Contractor (business) | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division | Yes | Open the Minnesota lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Mississippi | Yes | Alarm Contracting Business License (State Fire Marshal); Alarm Systems, Access Systems and Security Equipment classification (MSBOC): Class A (company); Class B, C, D, H (individual) | Mississippi State Fire Marshal (Electronic Protection Systems), with the Mississippi State Board of Contractors | Yes | Open the Mississippi lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Missouri | City or county | No statewide class found; local alarm business licenses (e.g. St. Louis County) | Cities and counties, e.g. Saint Louis County Department of Revenue | Not stated | Open the Missouri lookupNo state license; the city or county keeps the records. |
| Montana | Related license only | Security Alarm Installer (only for alarms that automatically communicate with a public safety agency) | Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Private Security Program | Not stated | Open the Montana lookupSearch the company; its electrical or alarm license covers the wiring. |
| Nebraska | Related license only | Electrical Contractor License (State Electrical Act); Fire Alarm Installer License: Electrical contractor, Class B electrical contractor, Class A master electrician, fire alarm installer | Nebraska State Electrical Board (State Electrical Division) | Yes | Open the Nebraska lookupSearch the company; its electrical or alarm license covers the wiring. |
| Nevada | Yes | Contractor License, Low Voltage Systems: C-2d (low voltage systems); C-2 electrical also covers it | Nevada State Contractors Board | Yes | Open the Nevada lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| New Hampshire | Related license only | Electrician License (master or journeyman): Master electrician, journeyman electrician | New Hampshire Electricians' Board, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification | Yes | Open the New Hampshire lookupSearch the company; its electrical or alarm license covers the wiring. |
| New Jersey | Yes | Burglar Alarm License, Fire Alarm License or Locksmith License, plus Business License: Burglar alarm, fire alarm, locksmith | Fire Alarm, Burglar Alarm and Locksmith Advisory Committee, Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, NJ Division of Consumer Affairs | Yes | Open the New Jersey lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| New Mexico | Yes | Electrical Specialty License, Low Voltage Special Systems: ES-3 (under 50 volts); EE-98 also covers it | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division | Not stated | Open the New Mexico lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| New York | Yes | Security or Fire Alarm Installer License: Alarm installer (security and fire); master electricians register instead in their own municipality | New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services | Yes | Open the New York lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| North Carolina | Yes | Security Systems License, plus an electrical contractor license held by a full-time employee: Security systems license; electrical SP-FA/LV (or limited, intermediate, unlimited) | North Carolina Security Systems Licensing Board (Department of Public Safety); electrical license from the State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors | Yes | Open the North Carolina lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| North Dakota | Yes | Power Limited Electrician License: Contracting power limited, power limited of record, noncontracting power limited | North Dakota State Electrical Board | Yes | Open the North Dakota lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Ohio | City or county | No statewide low voltage or access control license found; OCILB electrical contractor license covers electrical work: Electrical contractor (OCILB) | Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Ohio Department of Commerce | Yes | Open the Ohio lookupNo state license; the city or county keeps the records. |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Electronic Access Control License: Company, Manager, Technician, Technician/Salesperson Trainee, Salesperson | Oklahoma Department of Labor, Alarm, Locksmith and Fire Sprinkler Program (Alarm and Locksmith Industry Committee) | Yes | Open the Oklahoma lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Oregon | Yes | Limited Energy Technician License: Class A (LEA, all limited energy incl. protective signaling); Class B (LEB, excludes protective signaling) | Oregon Building Codes Division (Department of Consumer and Business Services), Electrical and Elevator Board | Yes | Open the Oregon lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Pennsylvania | City or county | No statewide license found; licensing is local (for example, Philadelphia Electrical Contractor License, which includes low-voltage wiring) | Municipalities (for example, Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections) | Not stated | City or county officeNo state license; the city or county keeps the records. |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Electrician license; Burglar and Hold-Up Alarm Business License: Electrician certificates; alarm business license with alarm agent I.D. cards | Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation | Yes | Open the Rhode Island lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| South Carolina | Related license only | No statewide access control license found; Burglar Alarm System Business License if tied to an intrusion alarm: Mechanical Contractor, Electrical subclassification for power wiring over $10,000 | South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board, Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation | Yes | Open the South Carolina lookupSearch the company; its electrical or alarm license covers the wiring. |
| South Dakota | Related license only | No statewide access control or alarm license found; electrician license for line-voltage work: Electrical contractor, Class B electrician, journeyman | South Dakota Electrical Commission, Department of Labor and Regulation | Yes | Open the South Dakota lookupSearch the company; its electrical or alarm license covers the wiring. |
| Tennessee | Yes | Alarm Systems Contractor certification; Electrical contractor license, CE-D classification: Alarm: fire, burglar, monitoring, CCTV; Contractor: CE-D (security systems up to 70 volts), CE-J (above 70 volts) | Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (Detection Services Licensing Program; Board for Licensing Contractors) | Yes | Open the Tennessee lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Texas | Yes | Electronic Access Control Device Company License: Company license plus Electronic Access Control Device Installer individual license | Texas Department of Public Safety, Private Security Program | Yes | Open the Texas lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Utah | Related license only | No statewide access control license found; Burglar Alarm Company License for intrusion alarm work: Burglar alarm company, qualifying agent, alarm company agent | Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), Department of Commerce | Yes | Open the Utah lookupSearch the company; its electrical or alarm license covers the wiring. |
| Vermont | Yes | Type-S Journeyman Electrician (specialty license): G7k Electrical lock installation including delayed egress and access control; master electrician also covers it | Vermont Electricians' Licensing Board, Division of Fire Safety, Department of Public Safety | Yes | Open the Vermont lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Virginia | Yes | Contractor License (Board for Contractors); Private Security Services Business License (DCJS) for alarm and camera work: Class A, B or C with ESC (Electronic/communication service) specialty; FAS for fire alarm | Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for Contractors; Department of Criminal Justice Services | Not stated | Open the Virginia lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Washington | Yes | Electrical Contractor License (limited energy system specialty) plus specialty electrician certificate: 06 Limited energy system; the 01 general electrician certificate also covers it; 10 for door and gate operators | Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Electrical Program (L&I) | Yes | Open the Washington lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| West Virginia | Yes | Specialty Low Voltage Electrician License: SP-LV (Fire and Burglar Alarm Communication Systems), 80 volts or less | West Virginia State Fire Marshal, Regulatory and Licensing Division | Yes | Open the West Virginia lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
| Wisconsin | Related license only | No statewide low-voltage license found; Electrical Contractor and Electrician licenses apply only to wiring above the 100 volt exemption | DSPS (Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services) | Not stated | Open the Wisconsin lookupSearch the company; its electrical or alarm license covers the wiring. |
| Wyoming | Yes | Low Voltage Technician License; Low Voltage/Limited Contractor License: LV-G (all low voltage under 90 volts); LV-A alarm; LV-X control systems | Wyoming State Fire Marshal, Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety | Yes | Open the Wyoming lookupSearch the company name; the class should cover access control or low voltage. |
Slide the table left or right to see all columns.
How to check an installer's license
- Ask the installer for the license number and the exact business name on it.
- Open the license lookup for your state, then search by number or by business name.
- Check that the license is active and that its class covers low voltage, alarm or electrical work. Where the state leaves it to cities, ask the city or county licensing office.
- Ask the local building department whether the job needs a permit, and who pulls it.
Permits and door code
A license covers who may do the work. The permit and the inspection come from the local building department or fire marshal, the authority having jurisdiction, and the rules can differ from one city to the next.
Electric locks on exit doors must still let people out: a sensor or button that releases the lock, release when power fails or the fire alarm sounds, and hardware 34 to 48 inches above the floor (IBC 1010 and NFPA 101). Fire alarm tie-ins follow NFPA 72. Every rule is on the maglock egress sheet.
