Insurance Requirements for Fire Sprinkler Installers Per State
Note: Insurance requirements and licensing requirements can vary by project type (private vs. public works), city/county “Authority Having Jurisdiction” (AHJ), and adopted fire/building codes. Where a statewide licensing statute/rule is confirmed below, it is listed. Where statewide licensing could not be confirmed from public sources in this pass, the Authority/Law line is marked as needing verification.
Alabama
State Fire Marshal regulations and local licensing rules apply in this state. Contractors will need to have a general liability policy with $1 mil in occurrence limits. If you have employees, you will need to carry workers’ compensation coverage by law. If you have a fleet of work vans, you will have to have commercial auto insurance to protect these vehicles. For businesses that take on large and complex projects, professional liability coverage is always recommended.
- Governing Body: Alabama State Fire Marshal
- Website: https://firemarshal.alabama.gov
- Law: Alabama Administrative Code § 482-2 (Fire Marshal Regulations)
Alaska
This is one of the states in the US where general liability insurance is actually mandatory. You need this policy to have a limit of $1 mil. If your company works in remote locations, which is quite common in this state, you might need additional protections dictated by the counties or cities you are operating in. Be sure to have workers’ comp coverage if you have anyone on staff, and protect your cars or other work vehicles and trucks with commercial auto insurance.
- Governing Body: Alaska Division of Fire and Life Safety
- Website: https://dps.alaska.gov/fire
- Law: Alaska Statutes Title 18, Ch. 70
Arkansas
As with other states in the US, Fire Marshal laws apply in Arkansas, and you will be required to have a general liability policy. The limits for this policy will usually be required to be set at $1 mil. This is another state where workers’ comp is mandatory. Make sure that public projects are protected with E&O coverage and take out commercial auto insurance for your work vehicles.
- Governing Body: Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing)
- Website: https://labor.arkansas.gov/licensing/fire-protection-licensing-board/
- Law: Arkansas Code Annotated (A.C.A.) § 20-22-601 et seq. (Fire Protection Licensing Board; sprinkler system firms and personnel licensing/registration)
California
California makes things far more complex than other states, but this should be no surprise to those who are used to navigating California’s complex insurance landscape. You will need to have a C-16 Fire Protection license that is granted by the CSLB if you install fire sprinklers in any kind of building. Your general liability coverage needs limits of $2 mil in most cases. You will want to have commercial auto insurance for your work cars and trucks, and you should take out E&O coverage with high limits. E&O should almost always be set at $1 mil. Don’t forget your workers’ comp, and be sure that you seek guidance if you are confused about the rules and regulations associated with these policies in the state of California.
- Governing Body: California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
- Website: https://www.cslb.ca.gov
- Law: 16 CCR § 832.16 (C-16 Fire Protection Contractor classification) and Business & Professions Code sections cited by CSLB for licensing authority
Colorado
Colorado is a little different than other states. They don’t have a statewide contracting license that you have to get, and instead have a division of fire prevention and control (DFPC) that regulates licensing of various kinds. This department also dictates what kind of insurance policies you have to have if you are operating in the state. You should still consider it likely that your liability policy will need to have between $1 and $2 mil limits in this state. As with other states, E&O is required for county projects, and you will have to take out workers’ comp insurance and commercial auto coverage if these apply to your situation.
- Governing Body: Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) (state fire authority); local AHJs often control permitting
- Website: https://dfpc.colorado.gov
Connecticut
This is another state with specific restrictions for fire sprinkler installers. You will need to have a license to be certified to provide this service in Connecticut. Make sure to get a good general liability policy with $1-2 mil in coverage limits, and you will, of course, need workers’ comp coverage. If you have fleet vehicles, get commercial auto.
- Governing Body: Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), Occupational & Professional Licensing (Fire Protection)
- Website: https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/occupational-and-professional-division/occupational--profess/fire-protection-licenses-and-scope-of-work
- Law: Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) § 20-330 (defines fire sprinkler work for licensing scope), with related licensing provisions in CGS Chapter 393
Delaware
The State Fire Marshal requires local licensing in this state. You should have $1 mil limits on all your insurance policies as well. Take out general liability, workers’ comp, and commercial auto for your business in this state.
- Governing Body: Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
- Website: https://statefiremarshal.delaware.gov
Florida
Another strict state when it comes to regulations, Florida requires licensing if you install fire sprinkler systems. You should have general liability with high limits, and you will need workers’ comp if you have a construction company with any employees. There are different rules for other industries, such as agriculture. Make sure that you have E&O if you make judgment calls for your business and have commercial auto coverage for any work vehicles.
- Governing Body: Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), Division of State Fire Marshal (Bureau of Fire Prevention – Regulatory Licensing)
- Website:
- Law: Florida Statutes § 633.318 (Fire protection system contractor certification process)
Georgia
You will need $1 mil minimum of liability coverage in this state, alongside workers’ comp and commercial auto insurance. Make sure to have a license from the State Fire Marshal’s office if you install sprinkler systems. If you work in design or advertising, E&O is recommended.
- Governing Body: Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
- Website:
- Law: O.C.G.A. Title 25, Chapter 11 (Georgia Fire Sprinkler Act), including O.C.G.A. § 25-11-5 (licensing/insurance requirements)
Hawaii
Contractors in Hawaii have to have their own liability policies and their own workers’ compensation coverage. They might also be required to have commercial auto. Projects of all kinds are very expensive to complete in this state, so high policy limits are the name of the game. You should make sure that you have licensing for any of the various fire codes that govern projects in Hawaii.
- Governing Body: Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional & Vocational Licensing (contractor licensing); local fire departments/AHJs for permitting
- Website: https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/
Idaho
This is a state where standard liability, workers’ comp, and commercial auto should cover you. If you do install fire sprinkler systems, you will need local licensing in most cases.
- Governing Body: Idaho Division of Building Safety (state building safety authority); local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://dbs.idaho.gov
Illinois
The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM) and municipal rules and regulations often apply to fire sprinkler installation in this state. Contractors have to have general liability coverage in excess of $1 mil, and workers’ comp is mandatory. Commercial auto insurance should be taken out to cover your fleet vehicles. You will need E&O if you work on commercial, public, or union jobs.
- Governing Body: Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
- Website: https://sfm.illinois.gov
- Law: 225 ILCS 317/ (Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act) and implementing rules at 41 Ill. Adm. Code 109
Iowa
This state is pretty straightforward. You need the usual liability coverage, workers’ compensation as dictated by state law for your industry, and commercial auto coverage. Public projects might require additional coverage. You should be sure to check on any regulations related to fire sprinkler installation if you take on these jobs.
- Governing Body: State Fire Marshal Division (Iowa Department of Public Safety); local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://dps.iowa.gov/divisions/state-fire-marshal
Kansas
Kansas requires the same coverage as Iowa. Make sure that you have E&O if you work on design jobs.
- Governing Body: Kansas State Fire Marshal; local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://firemarshal.ks.gov
Kentucky
Kentucky also requires the same standard coverage as Iowa or Kansas. You might want to have $1 mil in coverage for specific jobs that are large in size.
- Governing Body: Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC); local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://dhbc.ky.gov
Louisiana
Louisiana does have flood risks, so be sure that you are covered for problems with flood waters. You will otherwise need all the standard coverages without specific limits.
- Governing Body: Louisiana State Fire Marshal; local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://sfm.dps.louisiana.gov
Maine
Another basic and simple state to secure coverage in, Maine doesn’t require anything special for standard jobs. Make sure to read the fine print for larger or county/ union jobs.
- Governing Body: Maine Office of State Fire Marshal; local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://www.maine.gov/dps/fmo
Maryland
You will want to have $1 mil in coverage limits in this state. Make sure to get E&O for state and county jobs. Check with your local jurisdiction and the State Fire Marshal for coverage requirements if you do install sprinkler systems.
- Governing Body: Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal; local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://fmsp.maryland.gov
Massachusetts
Make sure that you have a liability policy, workers’ compensation coverage, and commercial auto coverage in this state. You will also want to have professional liability for some projects. Check on State Fire Marshall requirements for installation of fire sprinkler systems.
- Governing Body: Massachusetts Department of Fire Services; local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-fire-services
Michigan
The Bureau of Fire Service regulates fire sprinkler installation licensing in this state. You will also need a liability policy and commercial auto insurance. Make sure that you understand the workers’ compensation requirements for your industry and get E&O for public projects.
- Governing Body: Michigan Bureau of Fire Services (state fire authority); local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bfs
Minnesota
Contractors in this state need their own liability coverage as well as their own workers’ compensation protection, and possibly commercial auto insurance. You will need to verify that you are meeting State Fire Marshal guidelines for sprinkler jobs.
- Governing Body: Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division (Minnesota Department of Public Safety); local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/sfm
Mississippi
There are local codes and licensing on nearly every job in this state, so be sure that you are familiar with these requirements before you tackle any project. The usual basic coverages are also recommended.
- Governing Body: Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office; local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://www.dps.ms.gov/divisions/state-fire-marshal
Missouri
This is another state where all the usual standard policies apply. You will likely need extended coverage limits up to $1 mil for your policies.
- Governing Body: Missouri Division of Fire Safety; local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://dfs.dps.mo.gov/divisions/fire-safety
Montana
In Montana, you need to register with the state to work as a contractor. You will need to comply with fire safety codes and have the usual standard insurance protections.
- Governing Body: Montana Department of Labor & Industry (contractor registration); local AHJs for fire/building permits
- Website: https://dli.mt.gov
Nebraska
This is another state where standard coverage with standard policy limits should be sufficient.
- Governing Body: Nebraska State Fire Marshal; local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://sfm.nebraska.gov
Nevada
You need to get a license to operate in this state with the State Contractors’ Board. Have coverage limits on your standard policies up to $1 mil.
- Governing Body: Nevada State Fire Marshal – Fire Protection Licensing (industry licensing) and/or Nevada State Contractors Board (contractor licensing classifications)
- Website:
- Law: Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) Chapter 624 (contractor classifications; fire protection contracting classifications) and related NRS Chapter 624 framework
New Hampshire
New Hampshire also follows the basic insurance model. No special coverage requirements should apply in this state.
- Governing Body: New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office; local AHJs for permits
- Website:
New Jersey
This is a state where E&O can be a good idea. You will otherwise just need to have the usual policies to be able to operate legally in the state.
- Governing Body: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Division of Fire Safety; local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dfs/
New Mexico
The Construction Industries Division and Fire Marshal rules apply in this state for nearly every aspect of the work that you will do. Be sure to have standard policies otherwise.
- Governing Body: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD), Construction Industries Division (CID)
- Website:
- Law: Construction Industries Licensing Act, NMSA 1978 § 60-13-1 et seq.
New York
New York is highly regulated in nearly every industry. You need to be familiar with and meet New York State Fire Codes for sprinkler installations, and you will have to have local licenses for most jobs. Insurance requirements are very strict here, so verification of what you need for each job should be part of your process of bidding on and covering the risks of the work that you do. You should probably have coverage of up to $2 mil for any policy that you take out. Check on your industry’s workers’ compensation guidelines and follow them. You will need E&O coverage for many jobs in this state as well, even if they are just large commercial jobs and not public works jobs.
- Governing Body: New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control (code guidance) + local AHJs/municipal licensing (e.g., NYC)
- Website:
North Carolina
The office of the State Fire Marshal will govern most of what you do in this state. Have policy limits for your coverage set at $1 mil and verify that you understand the workers’ compensation requirements for your industry. Get commercial auto insurance and E&O for your company as well. Most contracts will require liability as well as all of these other policies.
- Governing Body: North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors
- Website: https://nclicensing.org
- Law: North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 87, Article 2 (Board authority and licensing), with implementing rules in 21 NCAC Chapter 50
North Dakota
This is a standard insurance state. Nothing excessive will be required in this state unless your specific job dictates added coverage.
- Governing Body: North Dakota State Fire Marshal; local AHJs for permits
- Website: https://www.nd.gov/ndsfm
Ohio
Ohio is also a state where there are no special requirements for sprinkler installations. Just be sure that you have the standard coverages, and you should be covered.
- Governing Body: Ohio Department of Commerce, State Fire Marshal (code enforcement) + local AHJs
- Website: https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/state-fire-marshal
Oklahoma
The State Fire Marshall governs determinations of licensing in this state. Have commercial auto, liability, and workers’ comp coverage for your business as well.
- Governing Body: Oklahoma State Fire Marshal (Oklahoma Department of Health / state fire authority) + local AHJs
- Website:
Oregon
The Construction Contractors’ Board handles fire sprinkler licensing in the state of Oregon. You will need liability insurance to get a license to install these systems. You might need coverage from $500,000 to $2mil, depending on the jobs that you were hired to work on. This state requires workers’ comp, liability coverage, and commercial auto insurance. Be sure to take out E&O if you are doing design or technical work.
- Governing Body: Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) (trade licensing); Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) (contractor registration)
- Website:
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania doesn’t have specific requirements for fire sprinkler work beyond the standard policies.
- Governing Body: Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) + local AHJs
- Website: https://www.osfc.pa.gov
Rhode Island
As with Pennsylvania, this state doesn’t require anything beyond the usual policy coverage.
- Governing Body: Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office + local AHJs
- Website:
South Carolina
South Carolina will require higher coverage limits on some jobs. Otherwise, standard policies apply here.
- Governing Body: South Carolina State Fire Marshal (SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) + local AHJs
- Website: https://llr.sc.gov/fm
South Dakota
South Dakota also doesn’t require any special licensing or permitting. Have your standard business policies, and you should be fine to handle these jobs.
- Governing Body: South Dakota State Fire Marshal + local AHJs
- Website:
Tennessee
Like South Carolina and South Dakota, no special requirements exist for these jobs in this state. If you have the basic insurance in place for your business, you should be able to bid for fire sprinkler jobs.
- Governing Body: Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (Department of Commerce & Insurance) + local AHJs
- Website: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/fire
Texas
This is a high coverage limit state. You should have $1 to $2mil in coverage. Workers’ compensation is not required unless your contract specifies that you need to have it. Large projects necessitate E&O. Know your licensing rules and regulations as set out by the Texas State Fire Marshal before taking sprinkler jobs.
- Governing Body: Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO)
- Website:
- Law: Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 6001 (Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractors) (licensing/registration framework)
Utah
You will just need standard policies in this state. Sprinkler jobs have to comply with the requirements of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
- Governing Body: Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL)
- Website: https://dopl.utah.gov
Vermont
Vermont is another state where basic insurance is all that is required.
- Governing Body: Vermont Division of Fire Safety + local AHJs
- Website: https://firesafety.vermont.gov
Virginia
Virginia also doesn’t require special insurance coverage for this kind of work.
- Governing Body: Virginia Department of Fire Programs + local AHJs
- Website: https://www.vafire.com
Washington
Make sure that you have the right amount of coverage, up to $1 mil for most jobs. Workers’ comp is mandatory and run by the state. You will also need to have professional liability coverage and commercial auto insurance. Be sure that you are registered with Labor & Industries for sprinkler jobs.
- Governing Body: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) (workers’ comp and contractor compliance) and the state framework for sprinkler contractors
- Website: https://www.lni.wa.gov
- Law: RCW 18.160 (Fire Sprinkler System Contractors)
West Virginia
West Virginia is a place where all you need is liability coverage, workers’ comp, and possibly commercial auto insurance.
- Governing Body: West Virginia State Fire Marshal + local AHJs
- Website: https://firemarshal.wv.gov
Wisconsin
Wisconsin, just like West Virginia, doesn’t require any special coverages.
- Governing Body: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) + local AHJs
- Website: https://dsps.wi.gov
Wyoming
Wyoming is another standard coverage state without special regulations or requirements.
- Governing Body: Wyoming State Fire Marshal + local AHJs
- Website: https://firemarshal.wyo.gov
Be sure that you understand the guidelines for your state, county, or city before you take on sprinkler jobs. These jobs have to be up to code and completed properly, or you could run into costly legal wrangling and damage to your business reputation. There is no exchange for the peace of mind of doing business the right way, and this guide will help you get off on the right foot.
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