Fire protection licensing in the District of Columbia
The District of Columbia's Board of Industrial Trades licenses electricians, plumbers, refrigeration/AC mechanics, steam engineers, asbestos and elevator trades, but not fire alarm, fire sprinkler, extinguisher or suppression technicians. The main credential rule covers private third-party fire protection inspectors and plan reviewers in the Department of Buildings (DOB) Third-Party Program, who must hold ICC Fire Inspector I and II or ICC Fire Plans Examiner (F3) plus experience.
We found no District license for fire alarm, sprinkler or extinguisher work. Confirm with DC Fire and EMS or the Department of Buildings before you rely on this page.
What each trade needs in the District of Columbia
Fire inspectors
Third-Party Fire Protection Inspector (DOB Third-Party Program)
- Issued by
- DC Department of Buildings (DCMR 12-A; Third-Party Program Procedural Manual)
- Who needs it
- Inspectors at DOB-approved third-party agencies approving residential/commercial fire inspections
- What it takes
- Current ICC Fire Inspector I (66) and Fire Inspector II (67) certifications plus 3 years of code-compliance inspection of fire protection systems in an ICC-code jurisdiction, or a DC PE/Architect license plus ICC Certified Fire Marshal (FM). The professional-in-charge must be a DC PE/Architect or an ICC FM with 5 years' experience.
ICC: ICC Fire Inspector I (66) and Fire Inspector II (67) required (or PE/Architect plus ICC Certified Fire Marshal)
Source: DOB Third-Party Program Procedural Manual (rev. 5/15/2023), Fire Protection table p.16-17
Plans review
Third-Party Fire Protection Plan Reviewer (DOB Third-Party Program)
- Issued by
- DC Department of Buildings
- Who needs it
- Plan reviewers at DOB-approved third-party agencies signing off on fire plans
- What it takes
- Current ICC Fire Plans Examiner (F3) certification plus 3 years' experience (with a DC PE/Architect license) or 6 years of code-compliance plan review of fire protection and life safety systems.
ICC: ICC Fire Plans Examiner (F3) required
Source: DOB Third-Party Program Procedural Manual (rev. 5/15/2023)
Practice for these credentials
These national exams are named in the requirements above. Each has a free sample test.
ICC Fire Inspector I
Inspect finished buildings for fire code compliance.
Named in: Third-Party Fire Protection Inspector (DOB Third-Party Program)
ICC Fire Inspector II
Advanced fire code inspection; requires Fire Inspector I.
Named in: Third-Party Fire Protection Inspector (DOB Third-Party Program)
ICC Fire Plans Examiner
Review construction documents for fire code compliance.
Named in: Third-Party Fire Protection Plan Reviewer (DOB Third-Party Program)
Sources
Statutes, administrative codes and licensing agency pages, checked November 13, 2026. Rules change; the agency's current text governs.