South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board

All qualifying parties must be certified as a NICET Level III of IV technician in “Fire Protection Engineering Technology Automatic Sprinkler System Layout” or “Fire Protection Engineering Technology Water-Based Systems Layout.”

NICET (National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies): www.nicet.org  or (888) 476-4238

Licensure Qualifications

To qualify for licensure, applicant shall file a written application on forms approved by the Board (available on this website) and include the following:

1. Fee
2. Certificate of Liability Insurance listing the SC Contractors' Licensing Board as Certificate Holder
3. Proof of current NICET level III or IV Technician Certificate in "Fire Protection Engineering Technology Automatic Sprinkler System Layout."
4. Completed Document 145 (Application)

Each fire sprinkler contractor's main office or branch office must be separately licensed and have a primary qualifying party employed full time and assigned exclusively to that location.  The name of the branch office must be the same name that appears on the licensee's license.

Any change that varies from the applicant's original application must be reported to the department within fifteen days from the date of the change.

SECTION 40-10-40. Primary qualifying party; qualifications; transfer of certification; notice of loss of certain certifications.

(A) A fire sprinkler contractor may not engage in fire sprinkler system work unless the entity has in its employment a primary qualifying party who meets the requirements of this chapter and has been designated by the licensee as the principle individual responsible for directing or reviewing fire sprinkler contractor work.

(B) Upon meeting all requirements of this chapter, the qualifying party may be issued a qualifying party certificate and may qualify a fire sprinkler contractor to engage in fire sprinkler system work as the primary qualifying party. The primary qualifying party, along with the licensee, may be held responsible by the board for improper work or violations of this chapter. The degree of responsibility upon the primary qualifying party may be based upon his participation in the work or violation.

Primary Qualifying Party - a full-time employee of a fire protection sprinkler systems contractor who holds a valid NICET Level III or IV Technician Certificate in "Fire Protection Engineering Technology Automatic Sprinkler System Layout" and who has been issued a qualifying party certificate by the board to qualify an entity as a fire sprinkler contractor. The individual has been designated by the licensee as the principle individual responsible for directing or reviewing fire sprinkler contractor work.

Qualifying Party - an individual who has received a NICET Level III or IV Technician Certification in "Fire Protection Engineering Technology Automatic Sprinkler System Layout" and who is an employee of a fire sprinkler contractor who has been issued a qualifying party certificate.