In Washington State, any company offering to contract to design, install, test, and/or maintain fire sprinkler systems must be licensed by the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office. All contracting companies who wish to be licensed to design and install fire protection sprinkler systems must have in their full-time employ at least one individual certified by this office as a Certificate of Competency Holder.

Contracting companies who wish to contract for only inspection and testing of fire protection sprinkler systems can do so, and such a license does not require a certified designer on staff.

However, regardless of the licensing level, any of a licensed fire protection sprinkler contracting company performing the physical work of inspection and testing of water-based fire protection systems must be certified by this office as an Inspection and Testing Technician.

This license is in addition to the business license issued by the Department of Labor and Industries. A sprinkler contractor’s license cannot be issued until the company has a currently certified Certificate Of Competency Holder [COC] in their full-time employ. Both the company and the COC must remain licensed/certified at the same level.

To become a licensed Fire Protection Sprinkler System Contracting Company under R.C.W. 18.160, submit an application to the Washington State Patrol, Fire Protection Bureau. To do this you will need the Sprinkler Contracting Company Application, Affidavit, Terms of License, and a bond which is separate and unique from any other bonding requirements through the Department of Labor and Industries.

The bonding forms exist based upon levels, $6, 000.00 for Levels 1, 2 and I&T and
$10, 000.00 for Levels 3 and U. Should your company need another option, an Assignment Of Account or Time Deposit form can be used in lieu of the bond.

Interested parties may also choose to contact the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 570-3134 and ask that the application packet be sent electronically or to a mailing address.

There is an initial application fee based upon the level of licensing and the initial annual licensing fee for newly licensed sprinkler contractors is prorated based upon the month of the year the company becomes licensed. Thereafter, it will be the annual licensing fee for the level at which the company is licensed. Specifics on the amount of the annual licensing fee can be found on the Sprinkler Licensing Program Fee Schedule.

Once the application documents are completed and the appropriate fees are submitted to and approved by the Deputy State Fire Marshal in charge of the Sprinkler Licensing Program, the company will receive their license and their certified individual(s) will receive their certificate(s) from our office by mail.

Any license and/or certificate issued by this office in this program are only valid from the date of issue until December 31 of the same year. This is an annual licensing program.

Relevant Web Page Links

Sprinkler Licensing Program:

• Sprinkler Licensing Program Main Page
• Certificate of Competency Holder Certification Program
• Inspection and Testing Technician Certification Program
• Temporary Certificate of Competency Program
• Levels of Licensing
• Forms and Reports Page

Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Laws and Rules:

• The Revised Code of Washington [R.C.W]. 18.160
• The Washington Administrative Code [W.A.C.] 212-80