Alabama Low Voltage Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The Alabama Electrical Contractors Board (AECB) licenses electrical contractors statewide under Code of Ala. §34-36 and grants a Limited / Restricted endorsement for low-voltage scope. Burglar alarm, fire alarm, monitored CCTV, and electronic security work additionally require an Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure (AESBL) Alarm Company License under Code of Ala. §34-1A. Pure structured cabling under 50 V is generally exempt from AECB licensing but most municipalities still require an electrical permit through the local building department.

Regulatory Oversight

Under Code of Alabama Title 34 Chapter 36 (Electrical Contractors), Alabama Electrical Contractors Board (AECB) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. AECB licenses Master Electricians, Journeyman Electricians, and Electrical Contractor businesses statewide, administers the Block exam, and adopts the National Electrical Code by reference.

Official portal: https://aecb.alabama.gov/
Address: 2777 Zelda Road, Montgomery, AL 36106
Phone: (334) 420-7232

Who May Apply

To qualify, an applicant must have reached age 19 and hold a valid Social Security Number. No Alabama residency requirement.

Good moral character

AECB and AESBL review criminal history. AESBL disqualifies alarm applicants with felony convictions involving moral turpitude in the prior ten years.

Background investigation

AECB requires criminal disclosure on the application. AESBL requires fingerprint-based ALEA and FBI background checks for the qualifying agent and every employee installer.

Required Experience and Education

Eligibility requires 2 years of AECB Limited / Restricted: two years of supervised low-voltage experience under an Alabama-licensed electrical contractor or out-of-state equivalent. AESBL Alarm Company qualifying agent: two years of alarm-industry experience plus completion of an AESBL-approved training course., documented and independently verifiable. Payroll, tax, project, and supervisor records are the usual proof the board will accept.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

AECB Affidavit of Experience signed by each supervising Alabama-licensed contractor
W-2 statements covering the qualifying period
AESBL-approved alarm training course certificate
NICET Fire Alarm Systems certificates (recommended)
ALEA / FBI fingerprint cards (AESBL)

Education substitution

AECB credits accredited electrical or electronics technology degrees toward up to one year of experience.

Examination Requirements

Examinations are administered by PSI Services LLC under contract to AECB and AESBL.. The applicant must pass the following examination parts before the license can issue:

PSI Alabama Electrical Contractor — Limited / Restricted (Low Voltage) Trade examination — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%
PSI Alabama Business and Law examination — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $110 per part to PSI.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be re-taken individually after 30 days. The application file remains active for one year.

Insurance and Financial Requirements

The cited state source set does not require a contractor license surety bond for this credential. Contractors should still confirm project-specific bond, permit-bond, or public-works bond requirements before bidding.

General liability

AECB requires a minimum $50,000 commercial general liability for the Limited / Restricted endorsement. AESBL requires alarm companies to maintain minimum $300,000 combined liability under §34-1A-7.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under Code of Ala. §25-5 for any employer with five or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

Neither AECB nor AESBL requires a financial statement.

Licensing Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$300
Examination	$220
Initial license	$300
Renewal (every year)	$300

Keeping the License Current

Renewal of the Alabama Electrical Contractor (Limited / Restricted) and AESBL Alarm Company License comes due every year. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $300. AECB renews annually on June 30; AESBL renews biennially.

Continuing education: AECB requires 14 hours of approved CE annually for the Limited / Restricted endorsement, including a code update. AESBL requires continuing training set by board rule.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Alabama Low Voltage License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and License Transfer

The NASCLA Accredited Examination is not accepted by Alabama for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Tennessee	Trade exam waived	AECB and Tennessee TBLC bilateral electrical reciprocity for active contractors.
Georgia	Trade exam waived	AECB and Georgia DLVC bilateral low-voltage reciprocity.
Mississippi	Reciprocity	Bilateral AECB-Mississippi reciprocity for active electrical contractors.

AECB has bilateral electrical reciprocity with several southeastern states. AESBL alarm licenses are not reciprocal.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Low Voltage license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Application Process, Step by Step

Confirm scope. Low-voltage cabling = AECB Limited / Restricted endorsement. Burglar/fire alarm = AESBL Alarm Company License. Both may be required.
Document two years of supervised experience. Compile AECB Affidavit of Experience signed by Alabama-licensed contractors covering two years of low-voltage work.
Pass the PSI Trade and Business and Law exams. Score 70% on each. The Limited / Restricted exam covers low-voltage scope and Alabama amendments to the NEC.
Submit the AECB application. File with the $300 fee, exam pass certificates, $50,000 general liability certificate, and qualifying agent designation.
Apply for the AESBL Alarm Company License (if applicable). File the AESBL application with the $300 fee, qualifier training certificate, fingerprint cards, and proof of $300,000 liability.
Register every alarm installer with AESBL. Each employee installer must hold an individual AESBL Registration and clear ALEA / FBI fingerprint background.
Receive credentials and renew on schedule. AECB endorsement renews annually on June 30; AESBL renews biennially.

Document Checklist

The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with AECB:

☐ Two years of AECB-documented low-voltage experience
☐ PSI Alabama Limited / Restricted Trade exam pass at 70%
☐ PSI Alabama Business and Law exam pass at 70%
☐ AECB application with $300 fee
☐ $50,000 commercial general liability certificate
☐ AESBL Alarm Company License (if doing alarm work)
☐ ALEA / FBI fingerprint cards (AESBL)

Recommended References

The references below are either cited by the board, used during the application, or standard preparation for the trade. They are listed purely for convenience — CLR earns no commission on any of them.

National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), Alabama-adopted edition — NFPA. Open book at the PSI Limited / Restricted exam.
Alabama Electrical Contractor PSI Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI / AECB. Official content outline.
NFPA 72 — National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code — NFPA. Required for fire alarm work and AESBL endorsements.

Frequent Application Errors

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a Alabama Low Voltage filing.

Skipping the AESBL license for alarm work

AECB Limited / Restricted alone does not authorize burglar or fire alarm contracting. AESBL licensure under §34-1A is independent and required.

Working in a 5+ employee shop without workers comp

Alabama requires workers comp for employers with five or more employees. Lapses trigger automatic AECB suspension.

Confusing Limited / Restricted with full Electrical

Limited / Restricted authorizes low-voltage only. Tying into 120 V branch circuits requires the full AECB Electrical Contractor license.

Missing fingerprint clearance for installers

Every alarm installer must be individually registered with AESBL and clear ALEA / FBI fingerprint background.

Letting AECB renewal lapse past June 30

Late renewal triggers a 25% surcharge and a 30-day suspension if not corrected.

Other Alabama Trade Licenses

Should the Low Voltage path not apply, these other Alabama trade guides from CLR may help:

Questions Applicants Ask

Does Alabama have a separate low-voltage contractor license?

AECB issues a Limited / Restricted endorsement to the Electrical Contractor license for low-voltage scope. Burglar and fire alarm work additionally requires an AESBL Alarm Company License.

Who licenses burglar and fire alarm contractors?

The Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure (AESBL) under Code of Ala. §34-1A. Both the company and every individual installer must be licensed.

How much experience does AECB require?

Two years of supervised low-voltage experience under an Alabama-licensed contractor.

Does NICET certification waive the AECB exam?

No. NICET supports AESBL fire alarm endorsements but does not substitute for the AECB Trade exam.

How often does the AECB endorsement renew?

Annually on June 30. AESBL Alarm Company licenses renew every two years.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-04-18 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-17