Fire protection licensing in Indiana
Indiana has no statewide license for fire sprinkler, fire alarm or extinguisher contractors or technicians. Where contractor licensing exists, cities and counties handle it. The one statewide NICET rule covers design releases: sprinkler systems in Class 1 (commercial) structures must be designed by a registered design professional or a NICET Level III or IV automatic sprinkler layout technician. The Department of Homeland Security's sprinkler plan-review checklist asks for the designer's NICET card.
Requirements vary by city and county in Indiana. Confirm with your local fire marshal or building department before you rely on this page.
What each trade needs in Indiana
Plans review
Qualified sprinkler system designer for design release (Class 1 structures)
- Issued by
- Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission / Indiana Department of Homeland Security (plan review)
- Who needs it
- Whoever prepares automatic fire sprinkler system designs submitted for a state design release on Class 1 (commercial) structures
- What it takes
- The design must be prepared by a currently registered design professional, or by a technician certified by NICET at Level III or IV in automatic sprinkler layout (or by a substantially similar agency the commission approves) (675 IAC 12-6-9(b)). With the submittal, include your registration number or a copy of your valid NICET certification card.
NICET: NICET Water-Based Systems Layout Level III or IV required for non-RDP sprinkler designers
Sources: 675 IAC 12-6-9 (design professionals; sprinkler designers), via Cornell LII; IDHS fire sprinkler plan submittal checklist
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: Qualified sprinkler system designer for design release (Class 1 structures)
Sources
Statutes, administrative codes and licensing agency pages, checked November 13, 2026. Rules change; the agency's current text governs.