Regulators: TN Dept. of Commerce & Insurance (Alarm Systems Contractors, Board for Licensing Contractors) and the State Fire Marshal.
| Work | Company license | Individual license | Board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burglar alarm | Alarm Systems Contractor, Burglar Alarm classification [1] | Qualifying Agent (manager); Registered Employee (techs) [1] | Detection Services Licensing Program (Alarm Systems Contractors) |
| Access control | Burglar Alarm classification [2] | Registered Employee [1] | Detection Services Licensing Program |
| CCTV | CCTV classification [1] | Registered Employee [1] | Detection Services Licensing Program |
| Fire alarm | Fire Alarm classification [1]; CE-D or CE-J for $25,000+ jobs [4] | Qualifying Agent with fire alarm course [2]; Registered Employee | Detection Services Licensing Program; Board for Licensing Contractors |
| Sound, intercom, data | Contractor, CE-D, for $25,000+ [4] | LLE under $25,000 [5] | Board for Licensing Contractors |
An alarm systems contractor is any person or company that sells, installs, services or monitors alarm systems, signal devices, fire alarms, burglar alarms, or television or still cameras used to detect fire, burglary, intrusion, shoplifting or theft. [1] The company must be certified and employ a licensed Designated Qualifying Agent in a management role, and the company and agent must hold the same classifications. [1] Access control that detects or signals an alarm counts as a burglar alarm system. Mechanical locks, and gate or door operators used only to open or close and not monitored by an alarm system, are excluded. [2]
A Qualifying Agent must be 18 or older, pass an IdentoGO background check, hold a post-high-school degree or a national training certification plus 3 years of alarm installation experience, and pass the PSI exam. [1] Every employee with access to alarm records, diagrams or plans must register within 30 days of employment, and all registered employees must complete Level I certification within their first year. [1] [6] Tennessee has no reciprocal agreements with other states. [1]
Fire alarm work falls under the same alarm program as the Fire Alarm Systems classification. [1] For fire alarm licensure, the Qualifying Agent must complete a nationally recognized fire alarm installation and monitoring course before the first renewal, unless it was submitted with the initial application. [7] On jobs of $25,000 or more, CE-D covers fire detection, signal, burglar alarm and security systems up to 70 volts, and CE-J covers those systems with conduit and wiring above 70 volts (trade exam required). [4]
Installing alarm system wiring requires a Tennessee alarm contractor certification, or registration as an employee of one. Other low voltage work that is not alarm contracting may need a contractor license, and local codes offices may require more. [8] The LLE is only required where the state Division of Fire Prevention issues the permits or inspections, and it covers work under $25,000 per project. [5] Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis and other exempt jurisdictions do not accept the LLE and run their own licensing, but all accept a state contractor license with a CE classification. [9]
A contractor license is required before bidding or contracting on projects of $25,000 or more as a prime contractor. Electrical subcontractors need one when their portion is $25,000 or more, including materials, equipment and labor. [10] Low voltage classifications without a trade exam: CE-D (sound, intercom, fire detection, signal, burglar alarm and security systems up to 70 V), CE-F (telephone lines and ducts), CE-G (cable TV) and CE-I (electrical temperature controls). [4] An LLE cannot split a project into phases to stay under $25,000. [9]
Qualifying Agents complete 16 hours of approved continuing education during the two years before the license expires. A classroom hour is 50 minutes. [7] The company renews its registered employees' registrations, which expire every 24 months. [11] [2] Alarm licenses have a 90-day grace period with a late fee of 10% of the renewal fee per month. After 90 days, you must reinstate and meet the initial requirements again. [11] The LLE has no CE requirement and renews every two years. [9]
| Item | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alarm contractor company, initial | $500 + $50 per classification | TN Commerce & Insurance |
| Qualifying Agent, initial | $200 + $50 per classification | TN Commerce & Insurance |
| Registered Employee, initial | $100 | TN Commerce & Insurance |
| Qualifying Agent renewal (2 years) | $100 single, $200 multiple classifications | Renewal page |
| Registered Employee renewal (2 years) | $75 per employee | Rule 0090-01-.09 |
| LLE license / renewal | $50 / $50, late $10 per month up to 3 months | LLE application |
The State Fire Marshal's currently adopted codes list the 2017 NEC, effective March 19, 2018, with 110.24 (available fault current) optional and AFCIs optional in bathrooms, laundry areas, garages, unfinished basements and dedicated refrigeration circuits. [12] Local jurisdictions with their own programs may enforce a different edition.