Fire Alarm Technician Checklist

Step 1:
Applications are available online, or by visiting the office:

City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department
Electrical Inspection Division
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave., Fourth Floor, Room 408
Detroit, MI 48226

Between the hours of 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, ALL FIRE ALARM APPRENTICES ARE REQUIRED TO BE PARTICIPATING IN AN ELECTRICAL TRAINING PROGRAM APPROVED BY THE ELECTRICAL ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD AS STIPULATED IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN SKILLED TRADES REGULATION ACT (PA 407 of 2016). FAILURE TO DO SO INVALIDATES THE REGISTRATION. ANY HOURS ACCUMULATED ON AN INVALID REGISTRATION WILL NOT BE CREDITED TOWARDS THE FIRE ALARM TECHNICIAN EXAMINATION.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: A MASTER ELECTRICIAN AND/OR FIRE ALARM SPECIALTY TECHNICIAN SHALL NOT REPRESENT NOT MORE THAN ONE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, FIRM, OR CORPORATION AT THE SAME TIME.

Qualifications for Fire Alarm Technician's License:

Must be 20 years of age.
Must be a Detroit resident and show proof of residency.
Have a current Fire Alarm Apprentice Registration form on file.
Applicants shall show proof of valid Fire Alarm Apprentice Registration coinciding with the required 8,000 hours of practical experience obtained over a 4 year period.

Documentation Required:

One completed Fire Alarm Technician License Application.
Current and valid Driver's License or Michigan State ID. Passports are NOT accepted.
One Passport-sized photo of the applicant.
Applicant must be certified by the National Institute for Engineering Technology (NICET) as an Associate of Engineering Technician, Level II, or the equivalent, as determined by the Board, in the field of Fire Alarm Systems Technology.

Original and notarized letter(s) on company letterhead from your employer(s), attesting to not less than 8,000 hours of practical experience obtained over a period of not less than four years related to electrical construction, maintenance of buildings, or electrical wiring or equipment under the direct supervision of a person licensed by the City of Detroit, City of Grand Rapids, or the State of Michigan.

Note: Letters should have start and end dates of employment, number of hours worked, a brief description of your experience or duties, the Fire Alarm Technician's License number, and the city in which the Fire Alarm Technician holds their license. Paycheck stubs are NOT considered valid documents.

All fields are REQUIRED on the application except where noted.

Step 2:
Submit application with documentation to the Electrical Division in Room 408 for approval from the Board of Electrical Examiners. The Board's written decision will be sent via postal mail to the applicant.

Step 3:
If Denied: Applicant must provide requested documentation as written from the Board of Electrical Examiners, and re-submit for Board approval.

If Approved: Applicant will need to come down to the Electrical Division to pay for the Fire Alarm Technician's Exam ($63.00). Once the exam is paid for, the applicant may schedule an exam date. The examination is taken in Room 408.

Step 4:
Take the exam on the scheduled date and time (9:30 a.m.). Applicants will receive their test results in writing. TEST RESULTS WILL NOT BE GIVEN OVER THE TELEPHONE.

Step 5:
If the applicant fails the exam: Applicant must re-pay the exam fee and re-schedule for the next available exam date.

If the examination is failed twice within a two-year period there will be a one-year wait from the date of the second examination. In addition, successful completion of a course on code, electrical fundamentals, or electrical theory approved by the Board of Electrical Examiners, is required for the applicant to become eligible again to sit for the exam.

If the applicant passes the exam: The applicant must come to Room 408 for a Licensing Invoice to pay for the Fire Alarm Technician's License ($55.00).

Step 6:
Applicant must take the invoice and pay appropriate fees to the Licenses & Permits Division cashier in Room 402.

Step 7:
Fire Alarm Technician's License is issued to the applicant by the cashier.