Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements by State
Installs data, security, and low-voltage systems. This page currently compares 49 of 51 jurisdictions published jurisdictions for low-voltage technician while the remaining states are still being researched and drafted. Every row links to the verified state page with statute citations, fees, exam scope, insurance, and renewal rules.
- Published guides
- 49
- Require trade exam
- 48
- Require surety bond
- 14
- Local / municipal
- 20
- Avg published experience
- 3.4 yr
Comparison table — 49 of 51 jurisdictions
Scroll horizontally on smaller screens. Use the sort control to compare low-fee states, high-bond states, or the jurisdictions with the heaviest published experience requirements. Click any state to open the verified license page.
20 of these published jurisdictions rely on local or municipal licensing instead of a single statewide credential.
| State | License | Exam | Experience | Bond | Initial fee | Renewal | NASCLA | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Local / municipal | Alabama Electrical Contractor (Limited / Restricted) and AESBL Alarm Company License | Yes | 2 yr | — | $300 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days for AECB; AESBL adds 60 – 90 days for fingerprint clearance |
| Alaska | Alaska Specialty Electrical Administrator and Limited Contractor (Low-Voltage Endorsement) | Yes | 4 yr | $10,000 | $250 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from administrator exam to contractor registration |
| Arizona | Arizona ROC L-67 / CR-67 Low Voltage Communication Systems Contractor (and DPS Alarm Agent for security work) | Yes | 4 yr | $4,250 | $480 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to wallet card |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Limited Electrical License (Low Voltage) and Department of Public Safety Alarm Systems License | Yes | 2 yr | — | $100 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days for the Limited Electrical; DPS adds 60 – 90 days |
| California | California C-7 Low Voltage Systems Contractor (and BSIS Alarm Company Operator for security work) | Yes | 4 yr | $25,000 | $200 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days from application to wallet card |
| Colorado Local / municipal | Colorado DORA State Electrical Board Residential / Journeyman Wireman Plus Local Low-Voltage Registrations | Yes | — | — | $0 | — | — | 30 – 60 days per local jurisdiction |
| Connecticut | Connecticut L-5 / L-6 Limited Electrical Contractor and C-5 / C-6 Journeyperson | Yes | 4 yr | — | $150 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from passing the contractor exam to license issuance |
| Delaware Local / municipal | Delaware Limited Electrician — Low Voltage Specialty (Board of Electrical Examiners) | Yes | 2 yr | — | $147 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to wallet card |
| District of Columbia | DC Department of Buildings Master Electrician (with Low-Voltage Endorsement) and DC Security Officer Management Branch Alarm Dealer | Yes | 7 yr | — | $300 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days for Master Electrician; SOMB adds 60 – 90 days |
| Florida Local / municipal | Florida Certified Specialty Contractor — Limited Energy Systems Specialty (ES) / Burglar Alarm System (EF) / Fire Alarm System (EG) | Yes | 3 yr | — | $295 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days from application to wallet card |
| Georgia | Georgia Low-Voltage Contractor License — LVU (Unrestricted) and LVT (Telecommunications), with Alarm and General classifications | Yes | 4 yr | — | $75 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days from application to wallet card |
| Hawaii Local / municipal | Hawaii C-13 Electrical Contractor (and C-13d Limited Energy Subspecialty) | Yes | 4 yr | — | $480 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to wallet card |
| Idaho | Idaho Limited Energy Electrical Contractor (Idaho DOPL Electrical Board) | Yes | 2 yr | — | $150 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to wallet card |
| Indiana Local / municipal | Indiana Local Electrical Contractor Registration and State Fire Marshal Fire Alarm Permit | Yes | 4 yr | $5,000 | $250 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to local license |
| Iowa | Iowa Class A or Class B Special Electrician (Sound and Communication / Fire Alarm) and Electrical Contractor License | Yes | 4 yr | — | $125 | 3 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to license issuance |
| Kansas Local / municipal | Kansas Local Electrical Contractor Registration and State Fire Marshal Fire Alarm License | Yes | 4 yr | — | $200 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to license issuance |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Electrical Contractor License (Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction) and Alarm System Installer Permit | Yes | 6 yr | — | $250 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to license issuance |
| Louisiana | Louisiana LSLBC Specialty Contractor (7-39 Telecommunications, 7-12 Sound and Video, 7-13 Fire Alarm) and Office of State Fire Marshal Life Safety License | Yes | 4 yr | — | $100 | 1 yr | — | 90 – 180 days from application to wallet card |
| Maine | Maine Limited Energy Technician License (Electricians' Examining Board) | Yes | 2 yr | — | $75 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to wallet card |
| Maryland | Maryland State Board of Master Electricians License and State Fire Marshal Alarm Systems License | Yes | 7 yr | — | $33 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 150 days from application to wallet card |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Class C Systems Contractor (SC) and Class D Systems Technician (SD) | Yes | 4 yr | — | $200 | 3 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from passing the SC exam to license issuance |
| Michigan Local / municipal | Michigan Fire Alarm Specialty Technician License (LARA Bureau of Construction Codes) and Electrical Contractor License | Yes | 4 yr | — | $100 | 3 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to license issuance |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Power Limited Technician (PLT) and Technology Systems Contractor License | Yes | 4 yr | $25,000 | $110 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to TSC issuance |
| Mississippi | Mississippi State Board of Contractors Specialty Classification (Communications, Sound, Fire Alarm) and State Fire Marshal Permit | Yes | 3 yr | — | $200 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to wallet card |
| Missouri Local / municipal | Missouri Local Electrical Contractor License (Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield) and State Fire Marshal Fire Alarm Permit | Yes | 4 yr | $5,000 | $250 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to local license |
| Montana Local / municipal | Montana Limited Energy Technician License (State Electrical Board) and Independent Contractor Registration | Yes | 2 yr | — | $200 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to wallet card |
| Nebraska Local / municipal | Nebraska Fire Alarm Installer License (State Electrical Division) and Electrical Contractor License | Yes | 4 yr | — | $200 | 3 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to license issuance |
| Nevada Local / municipal | Nevada NSCB C-2 Electrical Subclassifications (C-2d Sound/Communication, C-2g Fire Alarm) and PILB Electronic Security License | Yes | 4 yr | $15,000 | $600 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days from application to wallet card |
| New Hampshire Local / municipal | New Hampshire Electricians' Board Low Energy / Limited Energy Electrician License | Yes | 4 yr | — | $120 | 3 yr | — | 60 - 120 days from Master application to license issuance |
| New Jersey Local / municipal | New Jersey Electrical Contractor (Board of Examiners) and Burglar Alarm, Fire Alarm, and Locksmith Business License | Yes | 5 yr | $1,000 | $100 | 3 yr | — | 90 – 180 days for the Electrical Contractor |
| New Mexico | New Mexico EE-98 Electrical / ES-1 Low Voltage Specialty Contractor (CID) | Yes | 2 yr | $10,000 | $175 | 3 yr | — | 60 - 120 days from application to license issuance |
| New York Local / municipal | New York Licensed Security and Fire Alarm Installer (DOS Article 6-D) and NYC DOB Special Electrician (Sign Hanger / Low-Voltage) | No | 2 yr | — | $200 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days from completing the 81-hour course to wallet card |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Limited Electrical Contractor — SP-LV (Special Restricted, Low-Voltage) | Yes | 2 yr | — | $100 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from NCBEEC application to SP-LV issuance |
| North Dakota Local / municipal | North Dakota State Electrical Board Class B Electrical Contractor / Class L Low Energy Technician | Yes | 2 yr | $7,500 | $200 | 1 yr | — | 45 - 90 days from application to license issuance |
| Ohio Local / municipal | Ohio Fire Protection Contractor (Fire Alarm) and Department of Public Safety Private Investigator/Security Guard Services Alarm Contractor | Yes | 5 yr | $25,000 | $360 | 1 yr | — | 90 – 150 days from application to license issuance |
| Oklahoma Local / municipal | Oklahoma Construction Industries Board Limited Electrical Contractor and Alarm / Locksmith Industry License | Yes | 3 yr | $5,000 | $200 | 3 yr | — | 60 - 120 days from application to license issuance |
| Oregon | Oregon Limited Energy Electrical Contractor (Class A or B) and Limited Energy Technician (LEA / LEB) | Yes | 2 yr | $20,000 | $325 | 3 yr | — | — |
| Pennsylvania Local / municipal | Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration and Local Electrical License (no statewide low-voltage credential) | Yes | 4 yr | — | $400 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 150 days from application to municipal license |
| Rhode Island Local / municipal | Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training Electricians Board Limited Premises Wiring (BF) Burglar/Fire Alarm Installer | Yes | 4 yr | — | $120 | 2 yr | — | 60 - 120 days from Contractor application to license issuance |
| South Carolina | South Carolina SLED Alarm System Business License and LLR Contractor's Licensing Board ST-LV Specialty | Yes | 3 yr | — | $450 | 1 yr | — | 90 - 150 days from application to license issuance |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Electrical Commission Alarm System Contractor / Limited Electrical Contractor | Yes | 2 yr | — | $160 | 1 yr | — | 45 - 90 days from application to license issuance |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Contractor License with CE-C (Communication / Low Voltage) Classification, Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE), and Alarm Systems Contractor | Yes | — | — | $250 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days for TBLC CE-C; ASCB adds 60 – 90 days for fingerprint clearance |
| Texas | Texas DPS Private Security Bureau Class B Security Company License (Alarm / CCTV / Access Control) and TDLR Electrical Sign / Low-Voltage Endorsements | Yes | 2 yr | — | $400 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days for the DPS PSB Class B; SFMO ACR adds 30 – 60 days |
| Utah | Utah DOPL E100 Low-Voltage Electrician and S200 / S211 Low-Voltage Specialty Contractor | Yes | 2 yr | — | $225 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to wallet card |
| Vermont | Vermont Electricians' Licensing Board Type S Specialty Electrician (Low Voltage / Fire Alarm / Burglar Alarm) | Yes | 4 yr | — | $145 | 2 yr | — | 60 - 120 days from Master application to license issuance |
| Virginia | Virginia DPOR Tradesman Low-Voltage, ELE Specialty Contractor, and DCJS Electronic Security Business | Yes | 2 yr | — | $130 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to wallet card |
| Washington | Washington 06 Telecommunications / 06A Limited Energy / 06B Pump and Irrigation Specialty Electrical Contractor | Yes | 2 yr | $4,000 | $326 | 3 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from administrator exam to contractor license issuance |
| West Virginia | West Virginia State Fire Marshal Low Voltage Electrician and WV Contractor Licensing Board Electrical Specialty | Yes | 2 yr | — | $90 | 1 yr | — | 45 - 90 days from application to license issuance |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin DSPS Registered Electrical Contractor and Limited Energy / Fire Alarm Specialty Credentials | Yes | 2 yr | — | $200 | 4 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from application to credential |
National picture for low-voltage technician
Of the 49 jurisdictions currently published in this dataset, 48 require a trade examination administered by PSI, Prometric, NASCLA, Pearson VUE, ICC, or the state board directly. 14 require an explicit surety bond filed with the regulator before the license issues, and 0 accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination as a path toward reciprocal licensure for this line of work. Where the regulator publishes a numeric threshold, the average documented experience requirement is 3.4 years.
The comparison above is generated at build time directly from the state license entries on this site. Every value is traceable to the regulator's published rule. If you spot a discrepancy, the state page is the source of truth and will be re-verified against the official source set.
Choosing where to license first
- Lowest barrier to entry: sort by initial fee and look closely at rows where Exam = No or the state is marked Local / municipal.
- Strongest reciprocity downstream: states marked NASCLA Accepted, because the same exam can unlock multiple jurisdictions later.
- Lowest upfront cost: focus on combinations with the smallest initial fee and no bond requirement.
- Fastest path to wallet card: compare the Time column, but remember that municipal programs can still involve multiple city registrations.
Related reading
Original cross-state analyses from our dataset that add context to the low-voltage technician table above — who runs the exams, where the burden is heaviest, and what a criminal record means for eligibility.
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The Contractor Licensing Atlas
What mapping 586 licenses revealed about exam providers, bonds, and where a trade needs no state license at all.
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Contractor license difficulty index
Where each state ranks on exam, experience, and bond burden — hardest to easiest.
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License costs ranked by state
Cheapest to most expensive states once fees, bond, and first-year insurance are counted.
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Licensing with a criminal record
A 50-state look at background checks and which convictions actually block a license.
All data verified from the issuing state board's published rules. Last full pass: 2026-Q2.