Texas fire sprinkler and fire alarm licenses
Texas licenses fire protection work through the State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) at the Texas Department of Insurance. Companies register; the people doing the work hold individual licenses.
As of Nov 4, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency before you apply. Numbers in brackets link to the official source for each fact.
Sprinkler licenses
The Responsible Managing Employee – General (RME-G) license covers planning, installing, maintaining, servicing and certifying every type of sprinkler system. It calls for the NICET Water-Based Systems Layout Level III exams (waived for a current Professional Engineer) plus the state Fire Sprinkler Statutes and Rules test. [1]
The RME – General Inspector (RME-I) is the inspection-side license. TDI ties it to NICET's Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems Level II exam plus the statutes and rules test. [1]
There are also dwelling (RME-D, built on the NICET Layout Level II test) and underground licenses. [1]
TDI won't issue an individual license until you're employed by a registered sprinkler company, and it requires a fingerprint background check on file. [1]
Fire alarm licenses
A Fire Alarm Technician license needs the Fire Alarm Statutes and Rules test and the technician test. TDI waives the technician test if you hold a current ESA Level II Fire Alarm Technician certification or pass the NICET Level II test. [2]
The Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent needs ESA Level III, NICET Level III Fire Alarm Systems, or a Texas PE license, plus the statutes and rules test. [2]
A company can't get an Alarm Certificate of Registration without a designated employee who holds a technician, planning superintendent or residential superintendent license. [2]
Testing rules
State tests are closed book, 50 questions, and need 70% to pass. You can take each type of test only once a week and no more than three times in 12 months. [1][2]
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Sources
- TDI: Fire sprinkler registration, license and test information
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/fire/information-fire-sprinkler-registration-license-test.html - TDI: Fire alarm registration, license and test information
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/fire/information-fire-alarm-registration-license-test.html
Each source was opened on Nov 4, 2026. This guide is our own summary, not legal advice, and isn't endorsed by any agency.
Questions
Do I need NICET to get a Texas sprinkler license?
For the RME-G and RME-I, TDI ties the technical requirement to NICET exams: Water-Based Systems Layout Level III for the RME-G and Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems Level II for the RME-I. A current Professional Engineer license can waive the RME-G technical exams.
Can I get licensed before I have a job?
You can take the tests, but TDI says it can't issue an individual license until you're employed by a registered company.
Does NICET count for the Texas fire alarm technician test?
Yes. TDI waives the technician test for a current ESA Level II Fire Alarm Technician certification or a passed NICET Level II test. You still take the statutes and rules test.