Fill out the form below to receive more info. Electrician Low Voltage Fire/Security Program Information Sessions are hosted in Building 14, Room 213, at 3 p.m. On the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. For more information and a complete schedule of session dates, click here. The 2012 NFPA 70E responds to the challenges, making it easier to ensure an electrically safe working area and comply with OSHA 1910 Subpart S and OSHA 1926 Subpart K. ClickSafety offers intermediate, advanced and certificate-level online safety training courses for the NFPA 70E.
Updated September 26, 2017
Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
Updated September 26, 2017
There are different types of electricians, each specializing in a different area. Most electricians who perform services in homes are called low-voltage electricians. These workers often install and repair common appliances and also maintain systems such as burglar alarms. Low voltage is usually defined as less that 1 kilovolt, or 1,000 volts. Many states require electricians to be certified before they can legally perform work involving low-voltage wiring.
Purpose
The purpose of low-voltage electrician certification is to ensure that contractors perform the installation and maintenance of devices such as burglar alarms and landscape lighting correctly. Safety is one of the major reasons for this certification. Even though low-voltage wiring is usually not as dangerous as high-voltage installations, improper wiring can cause risks such as electrical shocks and fires. Certification allows states to verify that employees have both the education and experience to perform low-voltage work.
Application Process
States have slightly different application processes for contractors who wish to gain low-voltage electrician certification. Generally, applicants must contact the state licensing board to obtain an application. Personal information including details of any previous criminal activity is required because many low-voltage electricians deal with burglar alarms and security systems. Applicants must show that they have low-voltage installation experience under the supervision of another licensed contractor and must also pass a low-voltage electrician knowledge test to be certified.
Certification Fees
State low-voltage certification boards require electricians to pay fees to become licensed. In California, the fee for this certification is set at $250. Some states charge both an application fee and a testing fee. North Carolina, for instance, charges $75 for the application and also $60 for the actual certification, as of July 2011. Check with state certification boards to verify total fees.
State Differences
Not all states classify low-voltage electricians the same way, and some do not specifically require this type of certification. For example, California uses a single certification to cover all low-voltage electrical contractors, including those who install alarm systems. The state of New York requires certification for security alarm and fire alarm installers, but does not require low-voltage contractors performing other work to be certified. Virginia classifies all low-voltage and high-voltage electricians as a single occupation and requires advanced certification for workers performing any type of electrical installation.
Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
Updated September 26, 2017
Updated September 26, 2017
Low-voltage electrical work involves the installation, repair or maintenance of wiring or electrical equipment that uses 70 volts of electricity or less. Typically, low-voltage electrical work involves fire alarms or landscape lighting. In Texas, landscapers working with outdoor, low-voltage lighting do not require a license. To install or work with fire alarms, a fire alarm technician license or superintendent license is necessary.
Technician License
The fire alarm technician license in Texas allows the license holder to sell, install, certify, service and monitor fire alarms in commercial and residential properties. To qualify for the license, a candidate must pass a criminal background check and take tests on Texas’ rules and regulations regarding fire alarms and low-voltage electricity. The candidate must also complete an application, available from the Texas State Fire Marshal’s office, and pay a fee of $120 (as of May 2011).
Residential Superintendent License
A residential superintendent fire alarm license holder in Texas can sell, plan, install, certify, service and monitor alarm systems only in one- and two-family residential buildings. A criminal background check is required. Candidates must take the two examinations required for the technician license and a third test on more advanced topics that deal with residential alarms. All applicants must complete an application form and pay a fee of $120 (as of May 2011).
Planning Superintendent License
With a planning superintendent fire alarm license in Texas, a license holder can perform all of the tasks of a fire alarm technician and plan fire alarm systems in both residential and commercial buildings. The planning superintendent credential involves a criminal background check and a test on Texas laws regarding fire alarms. Candidates must be certified in fire alarm technology by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, or NICET. The certification involves passing a series of four tests. Prospective planning superintendents must complete an application and pay a fee of $120 (as of May 2011).
Test Description
All examinations for low-voltage fire alarm licensing in Texas are multiple-choice and taken using a computer. The exams for the technician and residential planning licenses are taken at Thomson Prometric testing centers in Texas. Candidates must receive a minimum score of 70 percent to pass the examinations. For the NICET examinations, prospective fire alarm superintendents must take the exam at Pearson Vue testing centers. Minimum scores for the latter tests vary according to level.