Texas Low Voltage Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Texas does not have a single "low-voltage contractor" license. Work is split among three regulators. The Department of Public Safety Private Security Bureau (DPS PSB) licenses burglar alarm, monitored CCTV, access control, locksmith, and electronic access control companies under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702 — these need a Class B Security Company License plus individual installer registrations. The Texas State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO), inside TDI, separately licenses fire alarm planning, installation, and inspection under Insurance Code Chapter 6002, requiring a Fire Alarm Certificate of Registration (ACR) for the firm and individual fire alarm planning superintendents and installers. Pure structured cabling, telecom, intercom, sound, and audio/video work below 50 volts is generally exempt from TDLR electrical licensure under Tex. Occ. Code §1305.003 — but tying into a 120 V power source still requires a TDLR electrician.

Governing Authority

Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702 (Private Security Act); Insurance Code Chapter 6002 (Fire Detection and Alarm Devices); Tex. Occ. Code Chapter 1305 (Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act), Texas Department of Public Safety — Private Security Bureau (DPS PSB) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. DPS PSB licenses alarm/security/CCTV/access-control companies (Class B) and registers individual alarm installers under Chapter 1702. The Texas State Fire Marshal's Office (TDI) separately licenses fire alarm contractors under Insurance Code Chapter 6002. TDLR licenses electricians; structured cabling under 50 V is exempt from TDLR licensure.

Official portal: https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/private-security
Address: P.O. Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773-0001
Phone: (512) 424-7710

Eligibility Requirements

An applicant qualifies only after meeting the age floor of 18 and producing a valid Social Security Number. No Texas residency requirement; out-of-state companies must register with the Texas Secretary of State.

Good moral character

DPS PSB disqualifies applicants with felony or Class A misdemeanor convictions in the prior ten years, especially convictions involving theft, fraud, deceptive practices, or violence. Each application is reviewed by the PSB.

Background investigation

DPS PSB requires fingerprint-based DPS and FBI background checks for the company manager and every registered installer under §1702.113. Fire alarm applicants are similarly fingerprinted by the SFMO.

Experience & Education Matrix

The applicant must document and verify at least 2 years of Class B Security Company manager must demonstrate two consecutive years of experience as a manager, supervisor, or administrator of an alarm or security company within the prior five years under §1702.119. Fire alarm planning superintendents must hold NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level III or higher under TDI rules.. 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

DPS PSB experience verification letters from prior alarm-company employers
NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level III certificate (fire alarm superintendent)
Burglar alarm Level I, II, or III training course completion certificates from DPS-approved providers
IRS or payroll records covering the qualifying period

Education substitution

DPS PSB does not accept education in lieu of the manager experience requirement. NICET certification is required for fire alarm superintendents and is the de facto experience credential for that role.

Examination Structure

The licensing examination is delivered by DPS PSB does not administer a written exam for the Class B Security Company License — qualification is based on the manager's prior experience and the criminal background check. Individual installers must complete a Level I, II, or III training course at a DPS-approved school. Fire alarm superintendents take the NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level III exam through NICET (Pearson VUE).. All of the following parts must be cleared prior to issuance:

NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level III examination (fire alarm planning superintendent) — 100 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: DPS Level I course $150 – $300 depending on provider. NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level III exam $355.

Retake policy: NICET allows re-tests after a 30-day waiting period. DPS Level I training may be re-taken at any time by re-enrolling.

Insurance & Financial Security

The cited materials impose no contractor license bond for this credential. Bear in mind that specific contracts, permits, or public works can still require their own bonds.

General liability

DPS PSB requires a Class B Security Company to maintain a minimum $1,000,000 commercial general liability policy under §1702.118. Fire alarm contractors must carry minimum $100,000/$300,000/$50,000 combined liability under TDI rules.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is not legally mandatory for private employers in Texas, but most commercial general contractors require subcontractor coverage.

Additional financial requirements

DPS PSB does not require a financial statement. SFMO does not require a financial statement.

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$400
Examination	$355
Initial license	$400
Renewal (every 2 years)	$400

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the Texas DPS Private Security Bureau Class B Security Company License (Alarm / CCTV / Access Control) and TDLR Electrical Sign / Low-Voltage Endorsements every 2 years. Renewal currently costs $400. Class B renews every two years. SFMO Fire Alarm ACR renews annually. Letting either lapse exposes the company to administrative penalties under §1702.381.

Continuing education: DPS PSB requires installers to complete Level II training within their first renewal cycle. Fire alarm superintendents must maintain NICET certification with continuing education credits per NICET rules.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

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

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

Texas DPS PSB has no reciprocity for the Class B Security Company License. SFMO fire alarm credentials are not reciprocal. NICET certification is portable across states but does not waive state licensure.

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

Identify your scope. Burglar alarm/CCTV/access control = DPS PSB Class B; Fire alarm = SFMO ACR; Pure cabling under 50 V = exempt; Tying into 120 V = TDLR electrician.
Designate the Class B manager. The manager must have two consecutive years of alarm/security supervisor experience within the prior five years and clear the DPS / FBI fingerprint check.
File the DPS PSB Class B Security Company application. Submit the application packet with the $400 application fee, $1,000,000 general liability certificate, manager experience letters, and fingerprint cards.
Register every installer with DPS PSB. Each technician installing burglar alarm, CCTV, or access control must complete a DPS-approved Level I course within 12 months and submit fingerprints. Level II or III training is required for advanced installers.
Apply for SFMO Fire Alarm Certificate of Registration (if doing fire alarm). File the TDI ACR application with the NICET Level III superintendent on file, $250 firm fee, and $90 per individual license.
Verify TDLR exemption or get an electrical license (if tying into line voltage). Pure low-voltage cabling is exempt; any work that powers the system from a 120 V circuit requires a TDLR Master, Journeyman, or Electrical Contractor.
Receive the credentials and begin work. DPS PSB issues the company license within 60 – 90 days; SFMO ACR takes 30 – 60 days. Renew Class B every two years; SFMO renews annually.

Pre-Submission Checklist

These are the pieces to lock down before filing with DPS PSB:

☐ Designated Class B manager with two years supervisory experience
☐ DPS PSB Class B Security Company application with $400 fee
☐ $1,000,000 general liability certificate
☐ DPS / FBI fingerprint cards for manager and every installer
☐ DPS-approved Level I training within 12 months for each installer
☐ SFMO Fire Alarm Certificate of Registration (if doing fire alarm)
☐ NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level III superintendent (fire alarm)

Study and Reference Materials

What follows are the regulator-cited and commonly used preparation references for this trade. They appear here for convenience only; CLR takes no compensation for them.

Texas Private Security Act (Tex. Occ. Code Chapter 1702) and DPS PSB Administrative Rules (37 TAC §35) — Texas DPS. Required statute and rule reference for the Class B application and Level I course.
NFPA 72 — National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code — NFPA. Required reference for SFMO fire alarm work and the NICET Level III exam.
NICET Fire Alarm Systems Program Detail — NICET. Official Level II/III content outline used for fire alarm planning superintendent qualification.

Common Filing Mistakes

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

Assuming one license covers everything

Texas splits low-voltage work three ways. A Class B Security Company cannot install fire alarm without a separate SFMO ACR, and an SFMO ACR holder cannot install burglar alarm without a Class B.

Skipping the manager experience requirement

DPS PSB rejects Class B applications when the designated manager cannot document two consecutive years of supervisory alarm/security experience within the prior five years.

Missing the Level I training deadline

New installers must complete a DPS-approved Level I training course within 12 months of registration. Missing the deadline cancels the registration and stops the technician from working.

Forgetting NICET for fire alarm

SFMO will not issue a Fire Alarm Certificate of Registration without a NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level III planning superintendent on file.

Cabling that crosses into line voltage

The structured cabling exemption under §1305.003 ends as soon as the installer wires into a 120 V power source. From that moment a TDLR electrician must perform the work.

Other Texas Trade Licenses

CLR covers other Texas trades as well — the published guides below may be more relevant:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Texas have a single low-voltage contractor license?

No. Burglar alarm, CCTV, and access control are licensed by DPS PSB under Chapter 1702. Fire alarm is licensed by the State Fire Marshal under Insurance Code Chapter 6002. Structured cabling under 50 volts is generally exempt from TDLR electrical licensure.

What experience does the Class B manager need?

Two consecutive years as a manager, supervisor, or administrator of an alarm or security company within the prior five years under §1702.119. Pure installer experience does not qualify.

Does Texas require NICET for fire alarm work?

Yes. Texas SFMO requires a fire alarm planning superintendent to hold NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level III or higher to qualify a Fire Alarm Certificate of Registration.

Is structured cabling exempt from TDLR?

Yes for systems operating at 50 volts or less and not connected to building line voltage. Once the installer terminates a 120 V circuit, a TDLR electrician is required.

How often does the DPS PSB Class B renew?

Every two years. Each registered installer must also re-register and complete continuing training on the DPS schedule.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-27 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-25