Fire protection licensing in North Dakota
North Dakota has no statewide fire sprinkler or fire alarm contractor license. Fire alarm wiring falls under the State Electrical Board's power limited electrician license. The State Fire Marshal (Insurance Department) reviews fire protection system plans and enforces the fire code, but issues no individual or contractor fire protection license.
Some cities and counties in North Dakota add their own requirements on top of the state's. Confirm with your local fire marshal before you rely on this page.
What each trade needs in North Dakota
Fire alarm
Power Limited Electrician (contracting / of record / noncontracting) and Power Limited Apprentice
- Issued by
- North Dakota State Electrical Board
- Who needs it
- Individuals who plan, lay out or supervise installation of power limited (NEC Class 2/3) systems, which can include fire alarm wiring. Residential and cord-and-plug-connected systems are exempt (NDCC 43-09-16).
- What it takes
- 6,000 hours (at least 2.5 years) as a registered power limited apprentice, Board-approved power limited education, or a Board-approved tradesman certification (NDAC 24.1-03-01-05), plus the Board exam. $50 license fee. Journeyman and master applicants can count at most 1,000 hours of fire alarm wiring.
State exam: State Electrical Board exam
Sources: NDCC ch. 43-09 Electricians; NDAC 24.1-03-01 Licensing
Fire sprinkler
Fire sprinkler work: plan acceptance only (no state license)
- Issued by
- North Dakota Insurance Department, Office of the State Fire Marshal
- Who needs it
- Installers submit fire protection system plans (SFN 61949) to the State Fire Marshal before installation, or to the local authority in Fargo, Williston and Williams County
- What it takes
- Get plan acceptance before installation. The State Fire Marshal enforces the laws on installing and maintaining fire protection systems, and extinguishers and sprinkler systems must meet its rules (NDCC 18-01-02, 23-09-06). There is no state license for sprinkler contractors.
Sources: NDCC ch. 18-01 State Fire Marshal; NDCC ch. 43-07 Contractors; NDAC 45-18-01 Fire Prevention; HB 1372 (2011) bill text, not enacted; SFM Fire Protection Systems application SFN 61949
Practice for these credentials
None of the credentials above names a national certification we offer practice for. If you are working toward one for your career, see our NICET and CFPS and ICC practice exams.
Sources
Statutes, administrative codes and licensing agency pages, checked November 13, 2026. Rules change; the agency's current text governs.