Georgia Low Voltage Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board — Division of Low-Voltage Contractors (DLVC) issues a dedicated low-voltage contractor license under O.C.G.A. §43-14 (Electrical Contractors, Plumbers, Conditioned Air Contractors, Low-Voltage Contractors, and Utility Contractors). Georgia is one of the few states that statutorily separates low-voltage from electrical and issues a single license that covers all low-voltage work statewide. The credential comes in two scopes: LVG / LVU (Unrestricted) covers all low-voltage subfields including alarm, telecommunications, fire alarm, sound, intercom, and structured cabling; and LVT (Telecommunications) is restricted to communications cabling. Within LVU there are alarm, general, and telecommunications subclasses, and a single qualifying agent can hold multiple subclasses. Burglar and fire alarm work falls under the same DLVC license — Georgia does not have a separate state alarm board.

Regulatory Body Profile

Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board (within the Georgia Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division) (GA CILB) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license under Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) Title 43 Chapter 14 (electrical, plumbing, conditioned air, low-voltage, utility); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 121. The Georgia CILB licenses electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low-voltage contractors, and utility contractors statewide. The Board adopts the National Electrical Code, International Plumbing Code, and International Mechanical Code by reference. General contractors are licensed by a separate body — the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (SLBRGC).

Official portal: https://sos.ga.gov/georgia-construction-industry-licensing-board
Address: 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217
Phone: (478) 207-2440

The Eligibility Audit

The applicant must be at least 21 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No Georgia residency requirement.

Good moral character

DLVC reviews criminal history. Felony convictions involving fraud, theft, or violence are reviewed under O.C.G.A. §43-1-19.

Background investigation

DLVC requires criminal history disclosure. Felony or misdemeanor convictions involving fraud or theft within the prior ten years require additional documentation.

Experience and Education Standards

A minimum of Four years of primary, on-the-job low-voltage experience in the requested subclass under a Georgia-licensed low-voltage contractor, documented on the DLVC Experience Verification Form. Two of the four years must be at a supervisory level. must be documented and verified. Unless the board publishes a different lookback period, applicants should keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records that support the claimed experience.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

DLVC Experience Verification Form signed by each supervising Georgia-licensed low-voltage contractor
W-2 statements or 1099 records covering the qualifying period
NICET, BICSI, or manufacturer training certificates
Three letters of reference from licensed contractors or owners

Education substitution

DLVC accepts up to two years of an accredited electrical or electronics technology degree in lieu of two years of field experience. Two years of field experience are still required.

The Exam Syllabus

PSI Services LLC under contract to the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board. administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

PSI Georgia Low-Voltage Contractor Trade examination — LVU Unrestricted (alarm + telecom + general) — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%
PSI Georgia Business and Law examination — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $110 trade + $61 business and law per attempt to PSI.

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

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

DLVC requires every low-voltage contractor to maintain a minimum $500,000 commercial general liability policy under O.C.G.A. §43-14-12.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory for any business with three or more employees under O.C.G.A. §34-9.

Additional financial requirements

DLVC does not require a financial statement.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$30
Examination	$171
Initial license	$75
Renewal (every 2 years)	$75

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Georgia Low-Voltage Contractor License — LVU (Unrestricted) and LVT (Telecommunications), with Alarm and General classifications runs on a 2 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $75. Renews every two years on June 30 of even-numbered years. A lapsed license may be reinstated within six months by paying back fees; after six months the applicant must re-apply.

Continuing education: DLVC continuing education requirements are set by board rule and posted in the renewal notice each cycle. The qualifying agent must complete approved CE before renewal.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, Georgia does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Alabama	Trade exam waived	DLVC and the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board recognize each other's active low-voltage licenses on application.
Tennessee	Trade exam waived	DLVC and TBLC bilateral reciprocity for active low-voltage / CE-C contractors.
South Carolina	Limited reciprocity	DLVC and SC LLR Burglar Alarm Board case-by-case recognition.

Georgia DLVC has bilateral low-voltage reciprocity with Alabama and Tennessee for active license holders. NICET certification is recognized for fire alarm work but does not waive the DLVC trade exam.

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.

The Application Roadmap

Decide LVU or LVT. LVU Unrestricted covers alarm, telecom, fire alarm, sound, intercom, and structured cabling. LVT is restricted to telecommunications cabling.
Document four years of experience. Compile DLVC Experience Verification Forms signed by Georgia-licensed low-voltage contractors covering four years (two at supervisory level).
Submit the DLVC application. File the application with the $30 application fee, three reference letters, $500,000 general liability certificate, and qualifying agent designation.
Pass the PSI Trade examination. Score 70% on the 100-question, four-hour LVU or LVT exam covering the NEC, NFPA 72, Georgia rules, and the requested subclass.
Pass the PSI Georgia Business and Law examination. Score 70% on the 50-question, two-hour business and law exam.
Submit fingerprints and clear the background check. GBI/FBI fingerprint card submitted with the application; clearance returns to DLVC in 30 – 60 days.
Receive the LVU or LVT license and begin work. DLVC issues the license at the next quarterly board meeting after exam clearance. Renews every two years on June 30 of even-numbered years.

Pre-Application Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to GA CILB:

☐ Four years of DLVC-documented low-voltage experience (two supervisory)
☐ DLVC application with $30 fee and three reference letters
☐ PSI Trade exam pass at 70%
☐ PSI Business and Law exam pass at 70%
☐ GBI / FBI fingerprint card
☐ $500,000 commercial general liability certificate
☐ Workers comp coverage certificate (3+ employees)

Where Applications Stall

The errors below are the ones that most frequently cost Georgia Low Voltage applicants time, drawn from the cited board guidance.

Confusing LVT with LVU

LVT does not authorize alarm, fire alarm, or sound work — only telecommunications cabling. Operating outside LVT scope is unlicensed contracting under §43-14-8.2.

Skipping the supervisory experience

Two of the four required years must be at a supervisory level. DLVC rejects applications where the qualifying agent cannot show supervisory time.

Missing the $500,000 liability minimum

DLVC requires $500,000 general liability coverage on every low-voltage contractor. Lower limits are not accepted under O.C.G.A. §43-14-12.

Misjudging the quarterly board meeting cycle

DLVC issues licenses only at quarterly board meetings. Applicants who miss the cutoff wait three additional months. Submit complete files at least 60 days before the meeting.

Ignoring NICET on fire alarm projects

Most Georgia AHJs require NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level II for fire alarm acceptance testing even though DLVC itself does not. Plan accordingly for commercial fire alarm projects.

Recommended Study Materials

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), Georgia-adopted edition — NFPA. Articles 725, 760, 770, and 800. Required reference for the LVU / LVT trade exam.
NFPA 72 — National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code — NFPA. Required reference for the LVU fire alarm content.
Georgia Low-Voltage Contractor PSI Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI / Georgia DLVC. Official content outline for the LVU and LVT trade exams.

Other Georgia Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these Georgia licensing guides:

Common Questions

What is the difference between LVU and LVT in Georgia?

LVU (Unrestricted) covers all low-voltage subfields including alarm, fire alarm, telecommunications, sound, intercom, and structured cabling. LVT is restricted to telecommunications cabling only.

Does Georgia have a separate alarm contractor license?

No. Burglar alarm, fire alarm, and CCTV all fall under the DLVC LVU license. Georgia is one of the few states that consolidates alarm work into the low-voltage credential rather than splitting it to a state police or fire marshal board.

How much experience does Georgia require?

Four years of primary, on-the-job experience in the requested subclass with at least two years at a supervisory level, documented on the DLVC Experience Verification Form.

Does Georgia require NICET for fire alarm?

NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level II is required by most Georgia AHJs for fire alarm plan review and acceptance testing on commercial projects, although DLVC itself does not require NICET as a license prerequisite.

How often does the Georgia low-voltage license renew?

Every two years on June 30 of even-numbered years, with continuing education requirements set by board rule.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-06-14 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-12