Michigan fire alarm technician license: Complete 2026 Guide

Official-source review: August 27, 2026

Michigan fire alarm technician license: Michigan licenses Fire Alarm Specialty Technicians and the contracting businesses they supervise. A FAST applicant needs NICET Level II or higher in installation and repair, or ESA CFAT Level II or higher, and must pass the Michigan examination. State-regulated facilities can also require Bureau of Fire Services firm certification.

Fast answer: Obtain the accepted NICET or ESA Level II credential, apply and pass the FAST examination with at least 75%, associate the FAST holder with one Fire Alarm Contractor, and obtain project permits. For state-regulated facilities, confirm BFS firm certification and qualifying-person requirements before submitting plans or performing regulated work.

Michigan fire alarm technician license authority education experience exams fees insurance renewal — Michigan requirements summarized from the responsible agencies. Local permits, employers and certifying bodies may impose additional conditions.

What the Michigan fire alarm technician license covers

Michigan licenses Fire Alarm Specialty Technicians and the contracting businesses they supervise. A FAST applicant needs NICET Level II or higher in installation and repair, or ESA CFAT Level II or higher, and must pass the Michigan examination. State-regulated facilities can also require Bureau of Fire Services firm certification.

Installation and repair of fire-alarm wiring and equipment under the FAST and contractor licenses held.
Work only within the issued classification.
Obtain all local permits and inspections.

Compare related occupations and states in the License Finder.

Michigan fire alarm technician license requirements at a glance

Requirement	Current rule or route
Route	Fire Alarm Specialty Technician and associated Fire Alarm Contractor licenses, with BFS-certified firm requirements in state-regulated facilities
Eligibility	Hold NICET Level II or higher in installation and repair, or ESA CFAT Level II or higher, before the FAST examination.
Exam	Pass the Michigan FAST examination with at least 75%; no separate Fire Alarm Contractor examination is currently required.
Fees	FAST application, PSI and annual license fees apply. Fire Alarm Contractor renewal is currently $300 per three-year cycle; BFS firm certification is $150 for three years.
Bond or insurance	Maintain contractor and BFS firm insurance, workers compensation and project documentation.
Renewal	FAST renews annually by December 31; Fire Alarm Contractor licenses renew every three years by December 31; BFS firm certification is valid three years.

Do not treat this table as an approval notice. The agency, certification organization or local jurisdiction makes the final eligibility decision and may request additional evidence.

How to complete the Michigan fire alarm technician license process

Identify the exact individual and business credential.
Complete the published education and experience.
Pass each required examination.
Submit applications, verification and fees.
Obtain insurance and project permits.
Renew on time and retain required records.

Keep copies of every experience certificate, examination result, bond or insurance filing and payment receipt. Names and business entities should match across the application and supporting documents.

Important Michigan rules and boundaries

FAST and Fire Alarm Contractor are separate licenses.
A FAST holder may associate with only one Fire Alarm Contractor.
BFS certification can apply in state-regulated facilities.
Local plan review, permits and acceptance testing remain separate.

Michigan may separate the credential held by a worker from the contractor license held by the business, while preserving local authority over permits and inspections. Confirm every applicable layer before bidding, advertising or beginning regulated work.

Michigan fire alarm technician license cost and renewal

Budget separately for applications, examinations, education, insurance and project permits.

Renew each individual, business and local credential separately and verify current charges before filing.

Government charges are only part of the expected cost. Training, examination preparation, fingerprints, surety premiums, insurance, equipment calibration and local permits can add to the total.

Michigan fire alarm technician license checklist

Confirm that this credential matches the exact work you will perform.
Check whether the applicant is an individual, sole owner or separate business entity.
Collect experience and training records before submitting the application.
Use the current official form and fee schedule.
Complete every required examination or approved certification route.
File bonds, insurance and fingerprints when applicable.
Check county, city, water supplier and building-permit rules.
Save the expiration date and renewal requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is this credential statewide?

It depends on the occupation. Michigan licenses several skilled trades statewide while home inspection and septic installation rely on business, professional or local requirements.

Is an exam required?

Pass the Michigan FAST examination with at least 75%; no separate Fire Alarm Contractor examination is currently required.

When does it renew?

FAST renews annually by December 31; Fire Alarm Contractor licenses renew every three years by December 31; BFS firm certification is valid three years.

Are project permits separate?

Yes.

Official sources used

Verified licensing details

Licensing authority: Michigan LARA Bureau of Construction Codes and Bureau of Fire Services
Fees: FAST application, PSI and annual license fees apply. Fire Alarm Contractor renewal is currently $300 per three-year cycle; BFS firm certification is $150 for three years.
Experience: Hold NICET Level II or higher in installation and repair, or ESA CFAT Level II or higher, before the FAST examination.
Exams: Pass the Michigan FAST examination with at least 75%; no separate Fire Alarm Contractor examination is currently required.
Insurance or bond: Maintain contractor and BFS firm insurance, workers compensation and project documentation.
Continuing education: Complete a code-update course when Michigan requires it after adoption of a new code and maintain the qualifying national credential.
Renewal period: FAST renews annually by December 31; Fire Alarm Contractor licenses renew every three years by December 31; BFS firm certification is valid three years.

Official sources

Official sources last checked August 26, 2026.

Requirements can change and local rules may apply. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority before paying a fee or beginning work.