Fire protection licensing in Oregon
Oregon has no state fire protection contractor license of the kind other states use for sprinkler or extinguisher contractors. Fire alarm wiring is electrical work under the Building Codes Division: it needs a Class A Limited Energy Technician license (or a general electrician license). Class B does not cover protective signaling, which by statute includes fire alarm. Public fire inspectors fall under the State Fire Marshal's Competency Recognition program (OAR 837-039), which requires ICC Fire Inspector I or II together with NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector 1 or 2, plus an ICC Fire Plans Examiner endorsement for plan review.
Some cities and counties in Oregon 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 Oregon
Fire alarm
Limited Energy Technician, Class A (LEA)
- Issued by
- Oregon Building Codes Division (Electrical and Elevator Board)
- Who needs it
- Technicians installing, altering or repairing fire alarm (protective signaling) wiring; must hold or work for an electrical or limited energy contractor (or one industrial-plant employer)
- What it takes
- 6,000 hours of experience (an approved apprenticeship or equivalent), including at least 750 hours in protective signaling, plus 432 hours of classroom training; then pass the state exam. The Class B license does not cover protective signaling, which ORS 479.905 defines to include fire alarm.
State exam: BCD state exam: 3 hours, 52 questions, open book (the approved materials list is sent when your application is approved)
Sources: OAR 918-282-0355 Class A Limited Energy Technician; OAR 918-282-0360 Class B scope (excludes protective signaling); Oregon License Directory: Limited Energy Technician Class A; ORS chapter 479 (479.905 protective signaling includes fire alarm)
Fire inspectors
OSFM Competency Recognition: Oregon Fire Inspector 1 (Level 2) / Oregon Fire Inspector 2 (Level 3) / Oregon Fire Marshal (Level 4); Level 1 Company Inspector
- Issued by
- Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal (OAR 837-039)
- Who needs it
- Fire officials responsible for fire code administration and enforcement at a local fire authority (fire district or municipality). New hires and promotions have one year to comply.
- What it takes
- Level 2: NFPA Fire Inspector 1 plus ICC Fire Inspector I. Level 3: NFPA Fire Inspector 2 plus ICC Fire Inspector II. Level 4: OSFM Oregon Fire Marshal Administration Class (and ICC/NFPA Fire Inspector 2 for maintenance).
ICC: ICC Fire Inspector I (Level 2) and ICC Fire Inspector II (Level 3) required, alongside NFPA 1031 certification
Source: OSFM Competency Recognition
Plans review
ICC Fire Plans Examiner endorsement on the OSFM Competency Recognition certificate
- Issued by
- Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal (OAR 837-039-0011)
- Who needs it
- Level 2-4 recognized fire officials doing fire code plan review
- What it takes
- ICC Fire Plans Examiner certification, added as an endorsement
ICC: ICC Fire Plans Examiner
Source: OSFM Competency Recognition
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: OSFM Competency Recognition: Oregon Fire Inspector 1 (Level 2) / Oregon Fire Inspector 2 (Level 3) / Oregon Fire Marshal (Level 4); Level 1 Company Inspector
ICC Fire Inspector II
Advanced fire code inspection; requires Fire Inspector I.
Named in: OSFM Competency Recognition: Oregon Fire Inspector 1 (Level 2) / Oregon Fire Inspector 2 (Level 3) / Oregon Fire Marshal (Level 4); Level 1 Company Inspector
ICC Fire Plans Examiner
Review construction documents for fire code compliance.
Named in: ICC Fire Plans Examiner endorsement on the OSFM Competency Recognition certificate
Sources
Statutes, administrative codes and licensing agency pages, checked November 13, 2026. Rules change; the agency's current text governs.