DOS 1587-f-a (Rev. 01/19) Page 1 of 9
New York State
Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
P.O. Box 22001
Albany, NY 12201-2001
Customer Service: (518) 474-4429
www.dos.ny.gov
Busines
s of Installing, Servicing or Maintaining Security or Fire Alarm Systems
Read ALL instructions carefully before completing the application.
Incomplete forms will be returned. Any omission, inaccuracy or
failure to make full disclosure may be deemed sufficient reason to
deny a license/registration or may result in the suspension or
revocation of an issued license/registration.
What is a Security or Fire Alarm Installer?
New York State law (Article 6D of the General Business Law) and
Department of State rules (19 NYCRR) defines a security or fire
alarm installer as one who installs, services or maintains security or
fire alarm systems to detect intrusion, break-in, movement, sound or
fire.
Who is excluded from this law?
A license is not required to install systems on motor vehicles, boats
or airplanes. A license is not required to install a battery operated
smoke detection device. However, a person who is in the business of
installing a hard wired smoke detector must be licensed.
Home or business owners installing a system on their own property
are not “in the business of” installing, and thus are not required to be
licensed.
It is important to note that such systems include only those dedicated
to detection. In the context of alarm systems, detection means to
warn or to notify. Therefore, the installation of “passive” (i.e., non-
detecting) security devices does not require licensure.
What are the qualifications for licensure?
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of
application.
You can qualify for licensure under one of the following methods:
A.
Examination and Edu
cation
B.
Experience and Education
C. Master
Electrician Waiv
er
A)
Examination and Education: If you are new to the industry
,
yo
u must pass a written exam and complete the required
education. For specific education requirements, see the next
page of these instructions. This examination is admi
nistered on a
wal
k-in basis and is taken PRIOR to the submission of an
application.
If you fail the examination, you will be mailed a notification
which you may use for readmission to another examination.
Once you pass the examination, you will be sent
a PASSED
n
otification. In order to complete the license process, you mu
st
subm
it:
— The completed, signed application;
— Applicable application fee payable to the NYS Department
of State;
— Your PASSED notifi
cation;
— Receipt that provides proof of electronic fingerpri
nting by
an approved vendor;
— Evidence of completion of education requirements (submit
all completion certificates);
— Any additional documentation requested in response to
specific questions on the application form.
B) E
xperience and Education: If you have at least two years of
experience in installing, servicing or maintaining security or fi
re
alarm systems, (totaling 3,500 working hours [equivalent to 35
hours per week for 100 weeks] that was obtained in New York
State between October 1, 1989 and September 30, 1992), you
may q
ualify for licensure without an exam. If you apply based
on this method, you must subm
it:
— The completed, signed application;
— Applicable application fee payable to the NYS Department
of State;
— Proof of experience as described above (submit all
completion certificates);
— Evidence of completion of education requirements (Submit
all completion certificates);
— Receipt that provides proof of electronic fingerprinting by
an approved vendor.
C) Master
Electrician Waiver: Individuals licensed as ma
ster
electrician
s who wish to engage in the installation, servicing,
or
main
taining of security or fire alarm systems are not exem
pted
fr
om filing with the Department of State. However, two form
s of
waive
r from some of the specific licensing requirements (by
virtue of your status as a licensed master electrician) ar
e
available.
Statewide Lic
ense: Master El
ectricians who wish to practice
out
side their licensing jurisdiction(s), must be licensed by th
e
Depa
rtment of State. By virtue of your license as master
electrician, you are waived from the education, experience
and
exami
nation requirements. If you file based on this method, you
must submit
:
— The completed, signed application;
— Applicable application fee payable to the NYS Department
of State;
— Receipt that provides proof of electronic fingerprinting by
an approved vendor;
— List of jurisdictions in which you are licensed as a Master
Electrician (Please refer to and complete attachment A);
— A copy of your current Master Electrician license(s).
Registration within Local Jurisdictions Only:
Licensed Master Electricians who wish to only practice in their
local jurisdiction(s) must be registered with the Department of
State. By virtue of your license as a master electrician, all
licensing requirements, including the submission of fingerprints
are waived. Note: Those alarm installers designated “local”
may only engage in the alarm installer business in
municipalities where they are licensed as master electricians.
If you file based on this method, you must submit: