Fire protection licensing in Georgia
Georgia's Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner licenses sprinkler contractors and individuals, and NICET is the qualification throughout. The Certificate of Competency holder needs NICET Level III or IV Water-Based Layout, licensed sprinkler inspectors need NICET ITM Water-Based Level II, and designers need NICET Layout Level II or a PE. Extinguisher, kitchen hood, industrial and special hazard technicians need individual permits, which accept NAFED (ICC/NAFED) certification, NICET Special Hazards or manufacturer training instead of a state exam. Fire alarm contractors are licensed as low-voltage (LV-A or LV-U) contractors by the Construction Industry Licensing Board.
What each trade needs in Georgia
Fire alarm
Statewide Low-Voltage Contractor License, Class LV-A (alarm and general systems) or LV-U (unrestricted)
- Issued by
- Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Low-Voltage Contractors
- Who needs it
- Contractors installing alarm systems, defined to include fire detection
- What it takes
- At least 1 year of low-voltage experience in the license category, plus the Division's exam (Rule 121-3-.06). The rule has no NICET requirement.
State exam: Low-voltage contractor trade and business/law exams
Source: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 121-3-.06 (Statewide Low-Voltage Contractor License), via Cornell LII
Fire sprinkler
Certificate of Competency (fire protection sprinkler contractor certificate holder)
- Issued by
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner (Safety Fire Division)
- Who needs it
- The individual who performs or supervises sprinkler installation and repair for a licensed fire protection sprinkler contractor location (one contractor and location at a time)
- What it takes
- Current NICET Level III or IV certification in automatic sprinkler system layout, and/or other exams the Commissioner designates. Renewal requires keeping NICET Level III or higher in Automatic Sprinkler System Layout (Rule 120-3-19-.05). $100 annual fee.
NICET: NICET Water-Based Systems Layout Level III or IV required
Fire Protection System Designer License
- Issued by
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
- Who needs it
- Individuals preparing water-based fire protection system construction documents and shop drawings
- What it takes
- A Georgia PE license (O.C.G.A. Title 43 Ch. 15), or proof of passing all work elements required for NICET Level II in Automatic Sprinkler System Layout (Rule 120-3-19-.08).
NICET: NICET Water-Based Systems Layout Level II required (or PE)
Inspection, testing and maintenance
Fire Protection Sprinkler System Inspector License
- Issued by
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
- Who needs it
- Individuals employed by a licensed sprinkler contractor who perform NFPA 25 inspection, testing and maintenance. Owner's representatives and in-house employees are exempt under the conditions in Rule 120-3-19-.12.
- What it takes
- At least NICET Level II in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems, or an equivalent certification the Commissioner accepts. Uncertified individuals work under direct supervision of a NICET Level II holder (Rule 120-3-19-.07, amended effective 7/1/2022).
NICET: NICET Inspection & Testing of Water-Based Systems Level II required (or Commissioner-approved equivalent)
Sources: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-3-19-.07 (Inspectors License), via Cornell LII; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-3-19-.12, via Cornell LII
Special hazards suppression
Engineered Special Hazard Fire Suppression System Technician Permit
- Issued by
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
- Who needs it
- Individuals servicing engineered special hazard systems for a licensed firm
- What it takes
- One of: manufacturer certification (restricted permit); NICET Special Hazards Suppression Systems Level III or higher; another recognized certification; or NICET Special Hazards Level II plus a current permit held for the past five years (Rule 120-3-23-.11).
NICET: NICET Special Hazards Systems Level III accepted (or Level II with 5 years of permit history)
Extinguishers and kitchen suppression
Portable Fire Extinguisher Technician Permit (firm holds a Portable Fire Extinguisher License)
- Issued by
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
- Who needs it
- Individuals who install, inspect, repair, recharge, service or test portable extinguishers, employed by a licensed firm
- What it takes
- One of: NAFED Portable Fire Extinguisher Technician certification; certification or testing by another nationally recognized organization the Commissioner accepts; or current manufacturer certification (Rule 120-3-23-.05). $25 annual permit.
ICC: ICC/NAFED Certified Portable Fire Extinguisher Technician accepted
Pre-Engineered Kitchen or Restaurant Fire Suppression System Technician Permit
- Issued by
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
- Who needs it
- Individuals servicing kitchen hood suppression systems for a licensed firm
- What it takes
- One of: manufacturer certification (restricted permit, those brands only); NICET Special Hazards Suppression Systems Level II; current NAFED Pre-Engineered Kitchen Fire Extinguishing System Technician certification; or another recognized certification (Rule 120-3-23-.07).
NICET: NICET Special Hazards Systems Level II accepted
ICC: ICC/NAFED Pre-engineered Kitchen Fire Extinguishing System Technician accepted
Pre-Engineered Industrial Fire Suppression System Technician Permit
- Issued by
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
- Who needs it
- Individuals servicing pre-engineered industrial systems for a licensed firm
- What it takes
- One of: manufacturer certification (restricted permit); NICET Special Hazards Suppression Systems Level II; NAFED Pre-Engineered Industrial Fire Extinguishing System Technician certification; or another recognized certification (Rule 120-3-23-.09).
NICET: NICET Special Hazards Systems Level II accepted
ICC: ICC/NAFED Pre-engineered Industrial Fire Extinguishing System Technician accepted
Practice for these credentials
These national exams are named in the requirements above. Each has a free sample test.
NICET Water-Based Systems Layout
Sprinkler & standpipe layout — design, hangers, hydraulics.
Named in: Certificate of Competency (fire protection sprinkler contractor certificate holder); Fire Protection System Designer License
NICET I&T of Water-Based Systems
Test and service sprinklers, standpipes & fire pumps in-field.
Named in: Fire Protection Sprinkler System Inspector License
NICET Special Hazards Systems
CO₂, clean agent, water mist, foam & deluge suppression systems.
Named in: Engineered Special Hazard Fire Suppression System Technician Permit; Pre-Engineered Kitchen or Restaurant Fire Suppression System Technician Permit; Pre-Engineered Industrial Fire Suppression System Technician Permit
ICC Portable Extinguisher Technician
Service, inspect & recharge portable fire extinguishers.
Named in: Portable Fire Extinguisher Technician Permit (firm holds a Portable Fire Extinguisher License)
ICC Kitchen Suppression Technician
Install & service wet chemical systems over commercial cooking.
Named in: Pre-Engineered Kitchen or Restaurant Fire Suppression System Technician Permit
ICC Industrial Suppression Technician
Service pre-engineered systems on spray booths & dip tanks.
Named in: Pre-Engineered Industrial Fire Suppression System Technician Permit
Sources
Statutes, administrative codes and licensing agency pages, checked November 13, 2026. Rules change; the agency's current text governs.
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 121-3-.06 (Statewide Low-Voltage Contractor License), via Cornell LII
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-3-19-.05, via Cornell LII
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-3-19-.08, via Cornell LII
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-3-19-.07 (Inspectors License), via Cornell LII
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-3-19-.12, via Cornell LII
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-3-23-.11, via Cornell LII
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-3-23-.05, via Cornell LII
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-3-23-.07, via Cornell LII
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-3-23-.09, via Cornell LII