Nevada Low Voltage Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Nevada licenses low-voltage work through the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) under NRS Chapter 624. The C-2 Electrical classification is divided into multiple subclassifications: C-2d Sound, Communication and Television Equipment covers structured cabling, intercom, paging, and audio/video; C-2g Fire-Detection, Notification and Suppression covers fire alarm; C-2h covers signs; and C-2i covers traffic signals. Burglar alarm, CCTV, and access-control monitoring services additionally require an Electronic Security and Safety Systems license from the Nevada Private Investigator's Licensing Board (PILB) under NRS 648. Any contract over $1,000 (or any contract requiring a building permit) requires an NSCB license under NRS 624.020.

Governing Authority

This license is issued and enforced by Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 624; Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) Chapter 624. NSCB licenses all contractors performing work in Nevada under NRS 624, sets monetary limits tied to financial capacity, administers trade and business-and-law examinations through PSI, investigates complaints, and conducts disciplinary proceedings statewide.

Official portal: https://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/
Address: 2310 Corporate Circle, Suite 200, Henderson, NV 89074 (Southern office); 5390 Kietzke Lane, Suite 102, Reno, NV 89511 (Northern office)
Phone: (702) 486-1100 (Southern); (775) 688-1141 (Northern)

Eligibility Requirements

At a minimum the applicant has to be 18 years old and supply a valid Social Security Number. No Nevada residency requirement.

Good moral character

NSCB conducts a fitness review on every applicant under NRS 624.263. Felony convictions are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application. PILB additionally requires fingerprint-based DPS and FBI background screening for the qualifying individual and every alarm employee.

Experience & Education Matrix

The applicant must document and verify at least four years of journey-level experience in the C-2d or C-2g subclassification within the prior ten years, verified by a qualified individual familiar with the work. Keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records to support the claim, as the board can request proof for any period within its lookback window.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

NSCB Reference and Experience Verification forms signed by four references familiar with the work
W-2 statements, pay stubs, or 1099 records covering the qualifying period
Trade school or apprenticeship completion certificates
NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level II / III for the C-2g subclassification

Education substitution

NSCB credits accredited college coursework and completed apprenticeships toward up to two of the four years of experience.

Examination Structure

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

PSI Nevada C-2 Trade examination (subclassification specific — C-2d or C-2g) — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%
PSI Nevada Business and Law examination — 60 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $110 trade exam + $90 business and law exam paid to PSI on registration.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be re-taken by paying a new exam fee. Each application remains active for one year.

Insurance & Financial Security

A contractor license surety bond of $15,000, on the NSCB's prescribed form, is a precondition to issuance.

General liability

NSCB does not impose a state minimum general liability. Most commercial owners contractually require $1,000,000 / $2,000,000. PILB requires $1,000,000 liability for electronic security companies.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under NRS 616B for any Nevada employer.

Additional financial requirements

NSCB requires a financial statement matching the requested monetary limit on the license. The C-2 subclassifications typically begin at the $50,000 monetary limit, scaling upward.

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$300
Examination	$200
Initial license	$600
Renewal (every 2 years)	$600

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the Nevada NSCB C-2 Electrical Subclassifications (C-2d Sound/Communication, C-2g Fire Alarm) and PILB Electronic Security License every 2 years. Renewal currently costs $600. NSCB licenses renew every two years. PILB Electronic Security licenses renew annually on the licensee's anniversary date.

Continuing education: NSCB does not require continuing education for C-2 subclassifications. PILB Electronic Security renewal requires twelve hours of approved CE annually.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

Nevada does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
California	C-2d / C-7 trade waiver	NSCB and CSLB bilateral reciprocity for the trade exam; the Nevada Business and Law exam is still required.
Arizona	C-2 trade waiver	NSCB and Arizona ROC bilateral reciprocity.
Utah	Trade waiver	NSCB and Utah DOPL bilateral reciprocity for active classifications.

NSCB reciprocity covers the trade exam only. The Nevada Business and Law exam and the financial statement are always required.

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.

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Confirm scope and subclassification. C-2d = sound, communication, audio/video, intercom. C-2g = fire alarm. PILB Electronic Security = burglar alarm and monitored CCTV. Pick the subclassifications matching your scope.
Document four years of journey-level experience. Compile NSCB Reference and Experience Verification forms signed by four references familiar with the work in the requested subclassification.
Submit the NSCB application with financial statement. File the application with the $300 fee, financial statement matching the requested monetary limit, and qualifying individual designation.
Pass the PSI Trade and Business and Law examinations. Score 70% or better on each. The C-2g subclassification accepts NICET Fire Alarm Level III in lieu of the trade exam.
Post the NSCB license bond. NSCB sets the bond between $1,000 and $500,000 based on the requested monetary limit. C-2 contractors typically post $5,000 – $50,000.
File workers compensation and industrial insurance. Submit Nevada workers compensation and industrial insurance certificates for any business with employees.
Apply for the PILB Electronic Security license (if doing burglar alarm). File the PILB application with $750 fee, fingerprints, $1,000,000 liability, and qualified manager designation.
Receive licenses and renew on the NSCB biennial cycle. NSCB issues the C-2 within 60 – 120 days. NSCB licenses renew every two years.

Study and Reference Materials

These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.

NSCB Contractors Reference Manual — NSCB. Required reference for the Business and Law exam.
PSI C-2 Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI / NSCB. Official content outline for the trade exam.
NEC Articles 725, 760, 770, 800 — NFPA. Technical reference covered on the trade exam.
NFPA 72 — National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code — NFPA. Required reference for the C-2g subclassification.

Common Filing Mistakes

Drawn from the board instructions and sources cited on this page, the pitfalls below are the ones most likely to slow down or sink a Nevada Low Voltage application.

Picking the wrong subclassification

C-2d covers cabling and audio/video; C-2g covers fire alarm. Holding C-2d does not authorize fire alarm installation. Many applicants discover this after being cited at inspection.

Skipping the PILB Electronic Security license

The NSCB C-2d does not authorize monitored burglar alarm or CCTV. PILB licensure under NRS 648 is mandatory and unlicensed alarm work is a gross misdemeanor.

Underestimating the financial statement

NSCB ties the monetary limit on the license to the financial statement. A weak statement caps the contract value the licensee can bid on.

Forgetting Nevada industrial insurance

Nevada requires both workers compensation and a separate industrial insurance program for any business with employees. Missing either suspends the license.

Letting the bond lapse

A lapsed NSCB bond automatically suspends the license. Renew the bond before its anniversary date to avoid a stop-work order.

Pre-Submission Checklist

These are the pieces to lock down before filing with NSCB:

☐ Four years of journey-level C-2d or C-2g experience
☐ Four NSCB Reference and Experience Verification forms
☐ NSCB application with $300 fee and financial statement
☐ PSI C-2 Trade exam pass at 70%+
☐ PSI Nevada Business and Law exam pass at 70%+
☐ NSCB license bond ($5,000 – $50,000 typical)
☐ Workers compensation and industrial insurance
☐ PILB Electronic Security application (if doing burglar alarm)

Other Nevada Trade Licenses

If the Low Voltage license is not the right fit, the following published Nevada trade guides are also covered by CLR:

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Nevada subclassification covers structured cabling and audio/video?

C-2d Sound, Communication and Television Equipment. It covers structured cabling, intercom, paging, audio/video, and public address but excludes burglar alarm and fire alarm.

Do I need a separate license for burglar alarm work?

Yes. The Nevada Private Investigator's Licensing Board (PILB) issues the Electronic Security and Safety Systems license under NRS 648. The PILB license is required in addition to the NSCB C-2d for any monitored burglar alarm or CCTV work.

Does NICET waive the C-2g fire alarm exam?

NSCB accepts NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level III in lieu of the C-2g trade exam, but the Nevada Business and Law exam is still required.

How much is the NSCB license bond?

NSCB sets the bond between $1,000 and $500,000 based on the requested monetary limit. C-2 low-voltage contractors typically post a $5,000 – $50,000 bond.

How often does the Nevada NSCB license renew?

Every two years. The renewal fee is $600 and there is no continuing education requirement at the NSCB level. PILB Electronic Security renews annually.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-17 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-15