New York Burglar Alarm License Requirements: NYS DOS & Local Permit Guide

New York requires a statewide Security or Fire Alarm Installer license from the Department of State (DOS) to install burglar alarm systems. Additionally, most jurisdictions require end users to obtain local alarm permits. Here's the complete guide for contractors.

Quick Answer

You need a Security or Fire Alarm Installer license from the NYS Department of State to install burglar alarms in New York. This requires 60-81 hours of approved training plus 3 years of experience. Additionally, your customers must obtain local alarm permits—Nassau County charges $100-$200, Suffolk County $50-$100, with significant false alarm penalties for unregistered systems.

NYS Security Alarm Installer License

The New York State Department of State regulates alarm installers statewide through the Division of Licensing Services.

Who Needs This License

Per NYS law, a license is required for anyone who "holds himself out directly or indirectly, as being able, or who offers or undertakes, by any means or method, to install, service or maintain a security or fire alarm system."

Systems covered include:

Intrusion detection systems
Break-in detection
Movement sensors
Sound detection
Burglar alarms
CCTV (when integrated with alarm)
Access control (when part of security system)

License Requirements

Requirement	Details
Education	60-81 classroom hours of approved training
Experience	Minimum 3 years of relevant industry experience
Training Location	Must complete training in New York State
License Term	2 years
Background Check	Required

Training Curriculum

Approved training covers:

Installation standards and best practices
Electrical codes (NEC, local codes)
Control panel programming
Alarm transmission and monitoring
Security system design
Fire alarm technology (if pursuing that endorsement)

Approved Training Providers

Electrical Training Center Inc. - Copiague, NY
Metropolitan Burglar & Fire Alarm Association - Brooklyn, NY
New York Low Voltage Contractor's Association - Brooklyn, NY
ESA National Training School - Various locations

Application Process

Complete approved training program (60-81 hours)
Document 3 years of relevant experience
Submit application to NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
Pass background check
Receive license (valid 2 years)

Contact: (518) 474-4429, Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

What the NYS License Does NOT Cover

Important clarifications:

Monitoring: New York does not license alarm monitoring companies. The license applies to sales, installation, and service of equipment only.
Non-alarm low voltage: Standalone intercom, data cabling, and telephone systems may have different (local) requirements
Local licensing: Some jurisdictions require additional local licenses (especially Suffolk County)

Local Alarm Permit Requirements

Beyond contractor licensing, most New York jurisdictions require the alarm system USER (homeowner or business) to register their alarm with local police. As the installer, you should inform customers about these requirements.

Nassau County

The Nassau County Police Department requires alarm registration:

Permit Type	Initial Fee	Renewal
Residential Burglar	$100	Every 2 years
Commercial Burglar	$200	Every 2 years
Residential Fire	$90	Every 3 years

False Alarm Penalties:

Unregistered alarms are fined for the first false alarm PLUS registration fee
Registered locations get 2 false alarms before fines apply
Continued violations can result in "No Response Mode" (police won't respond)

Contact: (516) 573-7862 or (516) 573-7298

Suffolk County

Suffolk County Police District requires alarm permits:

Permit Type	Initial Fee	Renewal (Biennial)
Residential	$50	$50 every 2 years
Commercial	$100	$100 every 2 years
Senior Residential (70+)	$50	$25 every 2 years

Key Rules:

Each alarm system gets a unique permit number
Permits are non-transferable
Permits expire 2 years from issuance
Unregistered systems subject to immediate fines

Contact: (631) 852-5276

Westchester County

Currently, Westchester County does NOT require county-wide alarm permits for residential systems. However, individual municipalities may have requirements. Always check with the local jurisdiction.

New York City

NYC does not have a centralized NYPD alarm permit system like Nassau and Suffolk. However, certain building types and commercial installations may have requirements through the Fire Department (FDNY) for fire alarm integration. Check with local precinct for current policies.

Suffolk County: Additional Contractor License

Suffolk County has unique requirements beyond the NYS license:

If your alarm work includes CCTV, intercom, or network components that are NOT part of a monitored security system, you may also need a Low Voltage Restricted License from Suffolk County Consumer Affairs.

Application Fee: $400
Exam: Restricted electrical test required
Processing Time: ~6 months

This is in ADDITION to the NYS Security Alarm Installer license.

Building Permits for Alarm Installation

Building permits (separate from alarm permits) are generally NOT required for burglar alarm installation in New York:

Typically Permit-Exempt

Wireless alarm systems
Low voltage hardwired systems
Residential burglar alarm installation
Retrofit installations in existing buildings

May Require Building Permit

New construction (part of overall building permit)
Commercial installations in some jurisdictions
Systems with fire alarm integration (especially NYC)
Access control with door hardware modifications

Commercial vs Residential

Residential Burglar Alarm

Contractor License: NYS Security Alarm Installer (required)
Building Permit: Usually not required
Alarm Permit: Customer obtains from local PD (Nassau: $100, Suffolk: $50)
Monitoring: Monitoring company doesn't need NY license

Commercial Burglar Alarm

Contractor License: NYS Security Alarm Installer (required)
Building Permit: May be required in some jurisdictions
Alarm Permit: Customer obtains from local PD (higher fees)
Additional: May need UL certification for certain applications

Installation Best Practices

Maintain NYS license: Renew every 2 years—don't let it lapse
Know your jurisdiction: Nassau, Suffolk, and NYC all have different local requirements
Provide permit info: Give customers the local alarm permit application as part of your installation package
Reduce false alarms: Proper entry/exit delays and user training prevent permit issues for your customers
Suffolk County: Get the Low Voltage Restricted License if doing any non-alarm low voltage work
Document everything: Keep training certificates and experience records for license renewal

Related Permits and Licenses

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install alarms with just a general contractor license?

No. New York specifically requires the Security or Fire Alarm Installer license from the Department of State for any alarm installation work. General contractor licensing doesn't cover security systems.

Do monitoring companies need a New York license?

No. New York does not license alarm monitoring. The state license applies only to sales, installation, and service of alarm equipment—not central station monitoring.

What happens if my customer doesn't get an alarm permit?

In Nassau and Suffolk Counties, unregistered alarms are subject to fines on the first false alarm. After multiple violations, police may place the location in "No Response Mode"—meaning they won't respond to alarm activations.

Is the NYS license valid throughout the entire state?

Yes, the NYS Security or Fire Alarm Installer license is valid statewide. However, some localities (especially Suffolk County) require additional local licensing for certain work types.

How long does it take to get the NYS license?

After completing the required 60-81 hours of training and documenting 3 years of experience, the application process typically takes several weeks. Plan ahead—don't wait until you have a job lined up.

Find Burglar Alarm Projects in New York

Looking for security system installation opportunities in New York? LVN Signal tracks construction permits and bids across the state, alerting you to projects the moment they're filed.

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Last updated: February 2026. Requirements may change. Always verify with the NYS Department of State and your local jurisdiction before beginning work.

New York Burglar Alarm License Requirements: NYS DOS & Local Permits