NICET Fire Alarm Systems Certification Program Receives ANAB Accreditation

NICET’s most widely held certification now meets the international standard for personnel certification bodies

The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) Fire Alarm Systems (FAS) Certification Program has received accreditation from the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), confirming that the program meets ISO/IEC 17024, the international standard for organizations that certify individuals.

FAS is NICET’s most widely held certification, with nearly 20,000 technicians in the fire alarm industry certified in the United States across four levels. The ANAB accreditation represents an important affirmation of NICET's commitment to maintaining rigorous, credible, and internationally recognized certification programs.

The NICET Board of Governors is proud of this achievement and recognizes the dedication and expertise of the NICET team for this accomplishment. “Accreditation strengthens confidence in the Fire Alarm Systems certification program and reinforces NICET's role in advancing professional competence and promoting public safety. NICET looks forward to building on this accreditation accomplishment and furthering program excellence as we continue to serve the industry and the professionals who depend on our important NICET credentials,” says Dr. Paul D. Flannigan, EdD, SET, CFPS, CWBSP, NICET Chair.

“This accomplishment reflects the collective efforts of our staff, whose expertise, commitment, and attention to detail ensure that our certification programs meet the highest standards of quality and integrity,” says Chip Hollis, CAE, NICET Vice President, Credentials. “I am incredibly proud of their work and grateful for the teamwork and shared commitment that made this achievement possible. It reinforces our responsibility to the industry and the professionals we serve.”

Updated FAS certification exams are scheduled for release in April 2027.

What Accreditation Means

The ANSI National Accreditation Board was the first U.S. personnel certification accreditation body to achieve recognition under the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC) Multilateral Arrangement. The ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation achieved by the FAS Certification Program is a widely accepted and internationally recognized for personnel certification bodies.

Accreditation formally recognizes an organization’s competence. It helps regulators and industry identify reliable products and services that meet their needs, reduces costs, redundancy, and trade barriers, and assures industry and government decision-makers that accredited programs deliver trustworthy results.

Who the Program Serves

The FAS Certification Program is designed for engineering technicians in the fire alarm industry whose work includes a combination of system layout (plan preparation), equipment selection, installation, acceptance testing, troubleshooting, servicing, and technical sales.

Technical areas covered include applicable codes and standards, types of detectors and signaling systems, supervision and power requirements, building/space structure and occupancy considerations, and basic electricity and electronics.

How to Maintain Certificaiton

The Fire Alarm Systems certification is a comprehensive credential covering the interrelated elements of system design, installation, maintenance, and inspection. FAS offers four levels of certification and a career pathway for fire alarm professionals. To earn FAS certification, candidates must pass an exam, submit a work history that documents the required industry experience, successfully perform key role-specific activities, and, for Levels III and IV, obtain a personal recommendation. Certified technicians maintain their credential through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and recertify every three years.

Four Levels of Certification

Level I: Trainees and entry-level technicians with at least six (6) months of FAS experience who perform limited tasks under supervision. Much like apprentices, they are learning about FAS components, installation methods, basic tools, worksite safety, and testing and inspection.

Level II: Technicians with at least two (2) years of FAS experience who perform routine tasks under limited supervision. They interpret drawings, specifications, codes, and standards, and may conduct basic installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and system inspections or prepare basic technical or sales documents.

Level III: Technicians with at least five (5) years of FAS experience who install and maintain systems and interpret codes, standards, and specifications to produce fire alarm shop drawings. They perform fire alarm layout activities, prepare submittal packets, and supervise Level I and II technicians.

Level IV: Senior technicians with at least ten (10) years of experience whose work includes installing and maintaining complex and specialized systems. They manage multiple projects at once, serve as liaison among authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), owners, engineers, and contractors, interpret codes, supervise Level I–III technicians, and oversee programs and training.