The Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) provides licensing and certification issuance to businesses and individuals performing design, installation, testing, and maintenance on all aspects of fire sprinkler systems. The SFMO processes applications for all fire sprinkler business entities and their requisite certificate of competency holders. In this section you will find information on the licensing and certification process as well as links to fire sprinkler training.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office has a residential fire sprinkler demonstration trailer that is available for use at events upon request.
To reserve the trailer, complete the Fire Sprinkler Trailer Reservation Form and email to firesprinkler@wsp.wa.gov.
Fire Sprinkler Trainings
Levels of Fire Sprinkler
Contractor Licensing
To learn how you can become a fire sprinkler contractor in Washington State, please see our guide here.
LEVEL 1: A Level 1 Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractor is licensed to work on the installation of sprinkler systems falling under the purview of the National Fire Protection Association N.F.P.A. 13 – D. This means any single or dual family occupied residential structure and its dedicated underground fire service mains. Each Level 1 contractor must have at least one employee certified as their Certificate of Competency Holder.
LEVEL 2 : A Level 2 Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractor is licensed to work on the installation of sprinkler systems falling under the purview of N.F.P.A. 13 – D and 13 – R. This means any single or dual family occupied residential structure up to and including a four-story structure and their dedicated underground fire service mains. Each Level 2 contractor must have at least one employee certified as their Certificate of Competency Holder.
LEVEL 3: A Level 3 Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractor is licensed to work on the installation of sprinkler systems falling under the purview of N.F.P.A. 13 – D, 13 – R, 13 and/or 24. This means any kind of work on any kind of structure including the dedicated underground fire service mains of such structures. Each Level 3 contractor must have at least one employee certified as their Certificate of Competency Holder.
LEVEL U: A Level U Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractor is licensed to work only on the underground installation of the dedicated fire protection sprinkler system supply main falling under the purview of N.F.P.A. 24. This means any installation of underground work of any kind for any type of structure. Each Level U contractor must have at least one employee certified as their Certificate of Competency Holder.
LEVEL I & T: A Level I and T Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractors are allowed to contract for the inspection and testing work of a wet and dry pipe fire protection sprinkler system under the purview of N.F.P.A. 25. Each individual who physically performs such inspection and testing work must be certified by this office as competent.
• Basic Renewal Process – Sprinkler Licensing and Certification
• Basic Renewal Process – Fitter Certification
• Common Renewal Errors
• Renewal Notes – Certificate of Competency Holders
• Renewal Notes – Contractors
• Renewal Notes – Fitters
• Renewal Terms – Fitter Certification (RCW 18.270)
• Renewal Terms – Sprinkler Licensing and Certification (RCW 18.160)
• Administrative Licensing and Certification Fee Schedule
• Contractors Materials and Test for Private Fire Service Mains Report
• Licensee Record Update
• Sprinkler Contractor License – Legal Name Change
• Sprinkler Contractor License Reinstatement Application
• Contractors Materials and Test for Above Ground Sprinkler Systems Report
Levels of Certification
LEVEL 1: A level 1 Certificate of Competency Holder is an employee of a Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractor. The Certificate allows the employee to do work on the design of sprinkler systems falling under National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A.) 13 – D. [Single or dual family occupancy residential structure and its dedicated underground fire service main]. To qualify for this level you will need to take the certification examination offered by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, possess National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies [N.I.C.E.T.] Level 2 in Water Based Sprinkler Layout Systems, or equivalency.
LEVEL 2: A level 2 Certificate of Competency Holder is an employee of a Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractor. The Certificate allows the employee to work on the design of sprinkler systems falling under the purview of N.F.P.A. 13 – D and 13 – R. [Single or dual family occupancy residential structure up to and including a four-story structure and their dedicated underground fire service main]. This level of design requires the Certificate of Competency Holder to have at least a N.I.C.E.T. level 2 certification in Water Based Sprinkler System Layout, or equivalency.
LEVEL 3: A level 3 Certificate of Competency Holder is an employee of a Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractor. The Certificate allows the employee to work on the design of sprinkler systems falling under the purview of N.F.P.A. 13 – D, 13 – R, 13 and/or 24. [This means any kind of work on any kind of structure including the dedicated underground fire service main of such structures]. This level of design requires the Certificate of Competency Holder to have at least a N.I.C.E.T. Level 3 Certification in Water Based Sprinkler System Layout, or equivalency.
LEVEL U: A level U Certificate of Competency Holder is an employee of a Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractor. The Certificate allows the employee to work on only the underground installation of the dedicated fire protection sprinkler system supply main falling under the purview of N.F.P.A. 24. [Any installation of underground work of any kind for any kind of structure] To qualify for this level, you will need to take the certification examination offered by the State Fire Marshal’s Office
LEVEL ITT: A level ITT Certificate of Competency Holder is an employee of a Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contractor. This certification allows the COC inspection and testing work of a wet and dry pipe fire protection sprinkler system under the purview of N.F.P.A. 25. Each and every individual who physically performs such inspection and testing work must be certified by this office as competent. This specialized level requires the Certificate of Competency Holder to have at least a N.I.C.E.T. Level II Certification in Inspection and Testing of Water Based Systems. Allows an individual to perform only inspection and testing of water based fire protection systems, with the exception of preaction, deluge, or systems with fire pumps.
Other Levels of Certification:
The PE is exempt from the certification requirements of RCW 18.160 when acting solely in a professional capacity as an engineer.
A PE can apply for certification as a Level 1, 2, or 3 Certificate of Competency holder only if they directly work for a licensed fire sprinkler contractor.
There are three levels of certification for Fire Sprinkler Fitters who are certified under RCW 18.270 to engage in the trade of fire protection sprinkler fitting:
• Journey-Level Sprinkler Fitter – Can work on both residential and commercial sprinkler systems. – Journey Sprinkler Fitter Certification Information | Journey-Level Sprinkler Fitter Application
• Residential-Level Sprinkler Fitter – Can work only on residential (NFPA 13R and 13D) fire protection sprinkler systems. – Residential Sprinkler Fitter Certification Information | Residential-Level Sprinkler Fitter Application
• Trainee-Level Sprinkler Fitter – Works under the supervision of a Journey or Residential Level Sprinkler Fitter. – Trainee Sprinkler Fitter Certification Information | Trainee-Level Sprinkler Fitter Application
The work type (residential/commercial) determines the level of fitter certification required and a Residential Sprinkler Fitter is considered a Trainee Sprinkler Fitter when working on a commercial job and under the supervision of a Journey Sprinkler Fitter.
A person who is considered exempt from the certification requirements of RCW 18.160 may apply for a “Qualified Exempt” certificate. This certification is intended for those who are exempt from law (not contracting or a government employee) but must for logistical reasons retain their certification in the fire sprinkler trade under RCW 18.160.
Additional Information:
• Administrative, Licensing and Certification Fee Schedule
• Certificate Holder Legal Name Change
• Certificate Holder Record Update
• Certificate Holder Reinstatement Application
• Certificate Holder Transfer Certificate to Different Contractor
• Inactive Certificate Reinstatement Application
• Qualified Exempt Certificate Reinstatement Application
• Sprinkler Fitter Reinstatement Application
Complaints
The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) regulates fire protection sprinkler system contractors for statutory compliance. This includes any business entity licensed or not and any individual certified or not who engages in worked regulated by RCW 18.160, RCW 18.270, and WAC 212-80.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) regulates fire protection sprinkler system contractors for statutory compliance. This includes any business entity licensed or not and any individual certified or not who engages in worked regulated by RCW 18.160, RCW 18.270, and WAC 212-80.
The relevant statutes and rules authorize SFMO to deny fire sprinkler licenses, take administrative action against licensees, and impose civil penalties.
The SFMO initiates action when there has been a complaint (from the public or an Authority Having Jurisdiction), or when the SFMO has concerns about the licensee. Depending on the facts, the SFMO notifies the company or individual about the investigation and scope of the complaint in writing. If the violation involves unlicensed work by a company, the SFMO will also send a Cease and Desist Order.
Once the investigation is complete, the SFMO sends an Administrative Violation Notice (AVN) letter with a civil penalty notice. The letter explains the charges in detail and the results of the investigation. Once the recipient receives the letter and penalty notice, the recipient must either pay the fine or appeal the action.
Within the AVN will be instructions regarding the time frame in which a recipient has to appeal the action through both an informal conference (WAC 212-80-235) and formal hearing process (WAC 212-80-240).