Fire protection licensing in Nebraska
The Nebraska State Fire Marshal certifies water-based fire protection (sprinkler) contractors, whose Responsible Managing Employee must hold NICET Level III or IV and pass an open-book state exam. It also licenses individuals who inspect fire alarm systems: they pass a state exam on NFPA 72-2010, or submit NICET Level II in Fire Alarm or ITM Fire Alarm instead. Fire alarm installers are licensed separately by the State Electrical Division, not the Fire Marshal.
What each trade needs in Nebraska
Fire alarm
Fire Alarm Installer License
- Issued by
- Nebraska State Electrical Division / State Electrical Board
- Who needs it
- Installers of fire alarm systems; the license covers fire alarm components operating at 50 volts or less
- What it takes
- At least two years of experience acceptable to the board in planning, laying out and installing fire alarm systems (Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-2112.02), plus a specialty exam given in the Electrical Division office.
State exam: State Electrical Division specialty exam, taken at its office
Sources: Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-2112.02; NE State Electrical Division - specialty license exams; NE SFM states it does not license fire alarm installers
Fire sprinkler
Water-Based Fire Protection System Contractor Certificate (with Responsible Managing Employee)
- Issued by
- Nebraska State Fire Marshal
- Who needs it
- Contractors installing, inspecting or testing water-based fire protection systems; the named RME must be a full-time owner, partner, officer or manager of the contractor
- What it takes
- The RME must hold current NICET Level III or IV in fire protection engineering technology, automatic sprinkler layout, or another nationally recognized automatic sprinkler layout certification the SFM recognizes, then pass the SFM certification exam. The contractor needs $1,000,000 in liability insurance. $100 fee; renews annually by September 30. The certificate lapses if the NICET certification or the insurance lapses.
NICET: NICET Level III or IV (Automatic Sprinkler / Water-Based Systems Layout) required for the RME
State exam: SFM open-book exam, usually online via Webex (in person available), on NFPA 13, 13R and 20 (2010), NFPA 25 (2011), NFPA 101 (2012) and 153 NAC Chapter 19
Sources: NE SFM - Water-Based Fire Protection; Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-5,158; 153 NAC ch. 19 s. 001
Inspection, testing and maintenance
Fire Alarm Inspector License
- Issued by
- Nebraska State Fire Marshal
- Who needs it
- Individuals who inspect fire alarm systems in Nebraska (Title 153, Chapter 6)
- What it takes
- Pass the SFM test, or submit NICET Level II or above in Fire Alarm Systems or Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems (fee prorated at $25 per remaining NICET year), or ESA CFAT Level II. The license is valid 4 years; $100.
NICET: NICET Fire Alarm Systems or ITM Fire Alarm Level II or above accepted instead of the state test
State exam: SFM paper test, third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 pm in Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island and North Platte, on NFPA 72 (2010) and NFPA 720 (2012)
Sources: NE SFM - Fire Alarm Inspector License; NE SFM 2026 Fire Alarm Inspector Test Schedule
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: Water-Based Fire Protection System Contractor Certificate (with Responsible Managing Employee)
NICET I&T of Fire Alarm Systems
Inspection, testing & maintenance of fire alarm systems.
Named in: Fire Alarm Inspector License
NICET Fire Alarm Systems
Most-pursued fire-alarm credential — design, layout & installation.
Named in: Fire Alarm Inspector License
Sources
Statutes, administrative codes and licensing agency pages, checked November 13, 2026. Rules change; the agency's current text governs.