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Fire protection licensing in Arkansas

Arkansas splits fire-protection licensing between two state agencies. The Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board (Department of Labor and Licensing) licenses sprinkler, portable extinguisher and fixed suppression firms and their employees, with a board exam for every license and NICET Level III layout for the sprinkler Responsible Managing Employee. The Arkansas State Police licenses fire alarm companies as alarm systems companies: a company doing code-required fire alarms needs a manager with NICET Level III or IV (or listed industry courses), and technicians need NICET Level II or an equivalent course.

Licensed at the state levelChecked against official sources on November 13, 2026

What each trade needs in Arkansas

Fire alarm

  • Class "E" Unrestricted Alarm Systems Company (manager)

    Issued by
    Arkansas State Police, Private Investigators / Private Security / Alarm Systems licensing
    Who needs it
    Alarm companies that install systems in buildings the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code requires to have a fire alarm. The company's manager must qualify.
    What it takes
    The manager must have completed one of: NICET Level III or IV; ESA Level I + Level IIA/ABAT + FAIM; NESA Electronics + Fire Installation and Wiring Codes; or Elite CEU Level I + AEIT + FAIT (ASP Rule 9.0(a)).

    NICET: NICET Level III or IV accepted

    Source: Arkansas State Police Rules for Licensing ... Alarm Systems Companies (2022)

  • Alarm Technician / Alarm Agent registration

    Issued by
    Arkansas State Police
    Who needs it
    Individual alarm technicians and agents (all Class E company types)
    What it takes
    Completion of one of: NICET Level II; ESA Level I; NESA Level I; Elite CEU Level I; or Complete Electrical Academy Level I (ASP Rules 9.0(b), 9.1(b)). Managers of Class E Restricted companies (no code-required fire alarms) need NICET Level II or a listed course equivalent.

    NICET: NICET Level II accepted (one of several options)

    Source: Arkansas State Police Rules (2022)

Fire sprinkler

  • Responsible Managing Employee (RME) license, sprinkler

    Issued by
    Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing)
    Who needs it
    Each sprinkler firm must employ at least one full-time RME
    What it takes
    NICET Level III or IV in fire protection automatic sprinkler system layout (submit a copy of the current certificate or wallet card), or a B.S. in Fire Protection Engineering or Engineering Technology plus 3 years' layout experience by affidavit (Board Rule 4.3.5). Then pass the board's RME exam.

    NICET: NICET Water-Based Systems Layout Level III or IV required (or the degree route)

    State exam: Board RME exam plus the Sprinkler Rules & ACAs exam; fees paid to CareerTech; in person (1st and 3rd Tuesday each month) or remote

    Sources: AFPLB Licensing Information; AFPLB notice quoting Rules 4.3.3-4.3.7; AFPLB Application for Examination (rev. 2/11/2026)

  • Fire Sprinkler Fitter license

    Issued by
    Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board
    Who needs it
    Sprinkler installers
    What it takes
    An RME affidavit (6,000 hours) or registration in the US DOL Fire Sprinkler Fitter apprenticeship program, then pass the board's fitter exam (Rule 4.3.7).

    State exam: Board Fire Sprinkler Fitter exam (CareerTech; in person or remote)

    Sources: AFPLB notice quoting Rules 4.3.6-4.3.7; AFPLB Application for Examination

Inspection, testing and maintenance

  • Fire Sprinkler Inspector license

    Issued by
    Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board
    Who needs it
    A firm doing sprinkler system inspections must have at least one licensed inspector
    What it takes
    An RME-signed affidavit of training and 6,000 hours' sprinkler experience (Rules 4.3.6-4.3.7), then pass the board's sprinkler inspector exam.

    State exam: Board Fire Sprinkler Inspector exam (CareerTech; in person or remote)

    Sources: AFPLB Licensing Information; AFPLB notice quoting Rules 4.3.6-4.3.7

Extinguishers and kitchen suppression

  • Portable Fire Extinguisher and Fixed System (Wet/Dry chemical, CO2, Halon, Clean Agent) individual licenses; Class A / Class B

    Issued by
    Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board
    Who needs it
    A company cannot be licensed for portable or fixed systems until an employee has passed the exam for that work. Fixed-system firms need an employee licensed for the specific type and brand.
    What it takes
    Pass the board exam for each license category, plus the Portable Rules & ACAs exam.

    State exam: Board exams per category (Portable Fire Extinguisher, Fixed System Wet/Dry, CO2, Halon, Clean Agent, Class A, Class B); CareerTech, in person or remote

    Sources: AFPLB Licensing Information; AFPLB Application for Examination

Practice for these credentials

These national exams are named in the requirements above. Each has a free sample test.

NICET Fire Alarm Systems

Most-pursued fire-alarm credential — design, layout & installation.

Named in: Class "E" Unrestricted Alarm Systems Company (manager); Alarm Technician / Alarm Agent registration

See practice examsFree sample test

NICET Water-Based Systems Layout

Sprinkler & standpipe layout — design, hangers, hydraulics.

Named in: Responsible Managing Employee (RME) license, sprinkler

See practice examsFree sample test

Sources

Statutes, administrative codes and licensing agency pages, checked November 13, 2026. Rules change; the agency's current text governs.