In order to apply for certification as a Washington State Fire Sprinkler Inspection and Testing Technician, an interested individual will need to submit to this office an Inspection and Testing Technician Application and Affidavit form.

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

As a new Inspection and Testing Technician, there is a one-time application fee of $ 50.00. There is also an annual certification fee of $50.00 which is prorated for the first year of certification based upon the month of certification. Thereafter, the full annual certification fee of $ 50.00 will be necessary to renew. Specifics on the fees can be found on the Sprinkler Licensing Program Fee Schedule.

The application form asks for the name of the company the Inspection and Testing Technician will be working for. Such an individual must be employed by either a licensed level 3 Fire Protection Sprinkler Contractor or an Inspection and Testing Contractor.

Should an individual wish to be certified by this office as an Inspection and Testing Technician who falls under the exemptions to licensing and certification found in R.C.W. 18.160.020 or W.A.C. 212-80-015 , they can choose to be certified as QUALIFIED EXEMPT. Simply indicate this as your employer on your application.

To qualify under W.A.C. 212-80-175 (1) as an Inspection and Testing Technician, the applicant will need to submit to this office proof of possessing certification through the National Institute for Certification of Engineering Technologies [N.I.C.E.T.] of level 2 in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Fire Protection Sprinkler Systems.

In order to become a state certified Inspection and Testing Technician under W.A.C. 212-80-175 (2) , the individual must successfully pass the following 32 elements from N.I.C.E.T. in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Fire Protection Sprinkler Systems:

Either means will qualify an individual for state certification as an Inspection and Testing Technician, allowing the individual to perform inspection and testing work on water-based fire protection sprinkler systems. This work excludes systems such as pre-action, deluge, foam, or fire pump and maintenance of any type of sprinkler system. Such work can only be performed by contracting companies who are also licensed and certified to design and install that type of system.

Once the completed application documents are submitted to this office, the application is reviewed by the Deputy State Fire Marshal in charge of the Sprinkler Licensing Program. When approved, the Inspection and Testing Technician will receive their certificate by mail to the address on file.

This certification is valid from the date of issue until December 31 of the same year. This is an annual certification program.