Construction / Fire Protection License / Texas
- Texas
- Fire Alarm License
- Technician & Planning Superintendent
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Texas Fire Alarm License
Texas splits fire alarm work into two individual licenses, Fire Alarm Technician (FAL) and Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent (APS). Here’s what each one covers, how to qualify, what’s on the PSI exam and how to stay licensed with the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office requirements
Application fee
$120
FAL or APS license; plus $48 per PSI test
Exam time
Not stated
50 questions, closed book, through PSI
Time to get license
Varies
Pass the exam within 1 year of filing your application
Continuing ed
8 hrs
Required for the fire alarm license
Overview
Do you need a Texas fire protection license?
Yes, if you sell, install, certify, service or monitor fire alarm and detection systems in Texas. Planning (designing) systems takes the higher APS license, and your employer must also hold a Fire Alarm Certificate of Registration with the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO).
License required when
- You sell, install, certify, service or monitor fire alarm or detection systems (FAL or APS)
- You plan fire alarm or detection systems (APS only)
- You work for a company doing fire alarm work, which must be registered with SFMO
- You’re named on an Individual Application tied to a registered company
Common exceptions
- An FAL license never covers system planning. Design work needs an APS license
- Our notes don’t list exemptions. Check Texas Insurance Code Chapter 6002 for who is exempt before you rely on one
Penalties for unlicensed work
Fire alarm work in Texas is regulated under Insurance Code Chapter 6002 and the Texas Administrative Code. The State Fire Marshal’s Office can refuse, suspend or revoke licenses and take action against unlicensed work, so get licensed and registered before you take on any job.
Your fast-track Texas fire protection license checklist
The Texas application, one page
- Decide on FAL or APS
- ESA Level III, NICET Level III or Texas PE (APS)
- Fingerprint background check, unless on file with SFMO
- Employer registered with SFMO, or its Certificate of Registration application
- Individual Application, forms and fees sent together
- PSI exam passed within 1 year of filing
Types
Texas fire protection license types and classifications
Both licenses cover all types of fire alarm and detection systems. The only difference is planning: an APS can design systems, and an FAL can’t.
FAL
Most common
Fire Alarm Technician
Sell, install, certify, service and monitor all types of fire alarm and detection systems. No system planning.
Exam
PSI fire alarm exam
Limit
No planning
APS
Design work
Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent
Everything an FAL can do, plus planning fire alarm and detection systems.
Exam
PSI fire alarm exam
Limit
Includes planning
Requirements
Texas fire protection license requirements, class by class
The application steps are the same for both licenses. The APS adds a qualifying credential, since it covers system planning.
| Requirement | Fire Alarm Technician (FAL) | Planning Superintendent (APS) |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying credential | Not stated | ESA Level III Fire Alarm Designer, NICET Level III Fire Alarm Systems, or Texas Professional Engineer |
| Exam | Pass within 1 year of filing | Pass within 1 year of filing |
| Fingerprint background check | Required if not on file with SFMO | Required if not on file with SFMO |
| Employer | Company registered with SFMO | Company registered with SFMO |
| Application | Individual Application | Individual Application |
| Application fee | $120 | $120 |
Steps
How to get your Texas fire protection license, step by step
- Pick FAL or APSBefore you start
If you’ll only sell, install, service or monitor systems, an FAL covers you. If you’ll plan systems, you need the APS and a qualifying credential: ESA Level III, NICET Level III or a Texas PE license. - Line up your employer’s registrationBefore you apply
Name the company you’ll be registered under. If it isn’t licensed with SFMO yet, it needs to file a Fire Alarm Certificate of Registration application. - Get fingerprintedBefore you apply
You need a fingerprint background check unless one is already on file with SFMO. - Submit your applicationAll at once
Send the Individual Application, forms and fees together to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Call 512-676-6800 or start at tdi.texas.gov. - Get approved and schedule with PSIPre-approval required
Once you’re approved, schedule at psiexams.com/txfire or call 800-733-9267. Test centers are in larger Texas cities. - Pass the examWithin 1 year
The exam is 50 questions, closed book, and you need 70% to pass. It must be passed within one year of the date you filed your application. - Receive your licenseAfter SFMO review
Once your exam, background check and company registration are in place, SFMO issues your license.
Exam
What to expect on the Texas fire protection exam
The Texas fire alarm exam is closed book, so you can’t bring your NFPA codes or the statutes into the test center. Study the standards and Texas rules until you know them cold.
Format
Closed book
Questions
50
Passing score
70%
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- Applicable NFPA standards, equipment and circuit types, and the right wire and cable
- Detector operating principles and spacing of detection and notification devices
- Detection, supervisory and notification circuits, plus alarm testing requirements and frequency
- Texas fire alarm statutes and rules: Insurance Code Chapter 6002 and the Texas Administrative Code
- No references allowed in the exam room
Retake policy
- You must pass within one year of the date your application was filed
- Retake waiting period: not stated in our notes
- Exam fee: $48 per PSI test
- Schedule or reschedule with PSI at 800-733-9267
Exam references · Closed book
Texas fire alarm license exams are closed book, so no references are allowed in the testing room. The books below are study references for the Fire Alarm Technician (FAL) exam and the Fire Alarm Statutes and Rules exam.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2023 | Study only |
| NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems | 2022 | Study only |
| NFPA 17: Standard for Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems | Not stated | Study only |
| NFPA 17A: Standard for Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems | Not stated | Study only |
| NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems | Not stated | Study only |
| NFPA 90A: Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems | 2024 | Study only |
| Texas Insurance Code, Chapter 6002 — Statutes and Rules exam | Not stated | Study only |
| Texas Administrative Code, Title 28, Chapter 34, Subchapter F (34.600) — Statutes and Rules exam | Not stated | Study only |
Our sources don’t list separate references for the Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent (APS) exam, so check the PSI candidate bulletin before you buy books.
Prep
Best Texas fire protection exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Texas fire protection license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Individual application fee | Fixed | $120 |
| PSI exam fee | Fixed | $48 per test |
| Fingerprint background check | Fixed | Not stated |
| Company Certificate of Registration (if your employer isn’t registered) | Fixed | $500 (main office) |
| NFPA code books for study | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exam | FAL license plus the Statutes and Rules and Technician tests; excludes fingerprints, company registration and code books | $216 |
Fees from the SFMO fire alarm license and test page, Form SF032 and the PSI State Fire Marshal’s Office candidate bulletin, checked October 2026. The Texas statutes and rules on the exam are free online: Insurance Code Chapter 6002.
Reciprocity
Does Texas accept out-of-state fire protection licenses?
Texas has reciprocity agreements with two states for the fire alarm license. Check with SFMO for exactly what each agreement waives before you apply.
South Carolina — reciprocity agreement
Texas lists South Carolina as a reciprocal state. Contact SFMO for what’s waived and what you still need to submit.
Georgia — reciprocity agreement
Texas lists Georgia as a reciprocal state. Contact SFMO for what’s waived and what you still need to submit.
All other states — no agreement
Apply as a new applicant: fingerprints, a registered employer and a passing PSI exam.
Local
Do Texas cities and counties have their own fire protection licensing rules?
Your fire alarm license comes from the state and covers all of Texas. Local fire and building officials still handle the job-site side.
State handles
- FAL and APS individual licenses
- Fire Alarm Certificates of Registration for companies
- Fingerprint background checks
- Exams, through PSI
- Continuing education and discipline
City & county handle
- Permits for fire alarm installations, where required
- Plan review and inspections
- Local fire code adoption and enforcement
Governance
Who regulates fire alarm technicians in Texas
Licensing authority
Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office (Texas Department of Insurance)
512-676-6800 (licensing)
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues FAL and APS licenses and company Certificates of Registration
- Runs fingerprint background checks on applicants
- Approves applicants to sit for the PSI exam
- Enforces Insurance Code Chapter 6002 and its rules
Maintenance
How to renew your Texas fire protection license and keep it active
Fire alarm licenses renew every 2 years for $200, and Texas requires 8 hours of continuing education for the fire alarm license. Confirm late fees with SFMO before your license comes due.
Renewal cycle
2 years
CE hours
8
Renewal fee
$200
Late penalty
Not stated
FAQ
Texas fire protection license FAQs
What’s the difference between an FAL and an APS license?
Both can sell, install, certify, service and monitor all types of fire alarm and detection systems. Only the APS (Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent) can plan systems.
Is the Texas fire alarm exam open book?
No. It’s closed book, 50 questions, and you need 70% to pass. You schedule it with PSI after you’re pre-approved.
How long do I have to pass the exam?
One year from the date you filed your application.
Do I need NICET to get licensed?
For the APS, you need one of these: ESA Level III Fire Alarm Designer certification, NICET Level III Fire Alarm Systems, or a Texas Professional Engineer license.
Does my company need its own license?
Yes. You must name the company you’ll be registered under, and if it isn’t licensed with SFMO it has to file a Fire Alarm Certificate of Registration application.
How much continuing education do I need?
Texas requires 8 hours of continuing education for the fire alarm license.
Does Texas accept out-of-state fire alarm licenses?
Texas has reciprocity agreements with South Carolina and Georgia. Applicants from other states apply as new applicants.
Sources
Official sources for the Texas fire protection license
- Texas Department of Insurance, State Fire Marshal’s Office
- Texas Insurance Code Chapter 6002
- Texas Administrative Code, 28 TAC Chapter 34, Subchapter F
- PSI, Texas fire alarm exam scheduling
- Texas Department of Insurance, Fire alarm registration, license and test information
- SFMO Form SF032, Individual Fire Alarm License Application
- PSI, State Fire Marshal’s Office Candidate Information Bulletin
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office.