Massachusetts has recently added an additional license for those installing
security systems, called an S-License. [2007]

The state's uniform electrical permit has been updated to include the
applicants s-license number.

A link to the S-License home page is below, where one can download the
applications, and procedures.

A brief description of the s-license and the MGL sections are provided for
your alarm license requirements by state page.

Thanks for the great work.

Regards,

John Houlihan

Link:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eopssubtopic&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Consumer+Protection+&+Business+Licensing&L2=License+Type+by+Business+Area&L3=S-License&sid=Eeops



Brief Description of S-License
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Anyone who wishes to engage in the business of installing, repairing, or
maintaining security systems must obtain an S-license from the Department of
Public Safety. The S-license was formerly known as the “Security Systems Contractor
’s License.” The name was recently changed so as to avoid confusion with a
wholly different license of a similar name issued by the Board of State
Examiners of Electricians. “Security systems” include any electrical device that
is set up to survey or detect intrusion. In order to obtain an S-license, a
person must hold a valid electrician’s license of any grade and complete the
Department’s application process.

Anyone who holds an S-license may employ as many workers as they deem
necessary. However, every individual employed by an S-license holder must obtain a
Certificate of Clearance prior to engaging in any work for them. In order to
obtain a Certificate of Clearance for his or her employees, the S-licensed
employer must perform a criminal background check on each prospective worker. The
S-licensed employer must then submit an attestation including the results of
the background check to the Department.

The laws pertaining to S-licenses and Certificates of Clearance may be found
in the Massachusetts General Laws chapter 147, sections 57 through 61.

Supporting Mass General Law******************************************

Chapter 147: Section 57. Installation, repair or maintenance of security
systems; licensure; exceptions

Section 57. The words “security system”, as used in sections fifty-seven to
sixty-one, inclusive, shall mean wires, conduits, apparatus, devices,
fixtures, or other appliances installed and interconnected electrically or
electronically to permit access control, proprietary signalling, surveillance and the
detection of burglary, intrusion, holdup, or other conditions requiring response
or the transmission of signals or audible alarms.
No person, firm or corporation shall engage in, advertise, or hold himself or
itself out as being engaged in the business of installing, repairing, or
offering maintenance for security systems, notwithstanding the name or title used
in describing such business, unless licensed for such purpose as provided in
sections fifty-eight and fifty-nine of this chapter and section three of
chapter one hundred and forty-one. Whoever violates any provision of this section
shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred nor more than one
thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
Nothing in this section shall apply either to the work of companies subject
to regulation by the department of telecommunications and energy and
incorporated for the transmission of intelligence by electricity in installing,
maintaining or repairing wires, apparatus, fixtures, or other appliances used by such
companies and necessary for, or incident to, their business, whether or not
such wires, conduits, apparatus, fixtures or other appliances are on its own
premises; or the work in connection with the installation, construction,
maintenance, repair and renovation of telephone equipment or computer systems by a
person, firm or corporation primarily engaged in the telecommunications or
information systems industry.
Chapter 147: Section 58. Application for license; filing; contents; proof of
qualifications
Section 58. An application for a license to engage in the security systems
business shall be filed with the commissioner on forms furnished by him, and
statements of fact therein shall be under oath of the applicant. Such application
shall include a certification by each of three reputable citizens of the
commonwealth residing in the community in which the applicant resides or has a
place of business, or the community in which the applicant proposes to conduct
his business, that he has personally known the applicant for at least three
years, that he has read the application and believes each of the statements
contained therein to be true, that he is not related to the applicant by blood or
marriage, and that the applicant is honest and of good moral character.
An applicant for a license to engage in the security systems business shall
provide proof to the commissioner that he has successfully qualified for
electrical licensure under the provisions of section three of chapter one hundred
and forty-one.
Chapter 147: Section 59. Issuance of license; effect of felony conviction;
term; contents; renewal
Section 59. The commissioner may issue to an applicant complying with the
provisions of section fifty-eight a license to engage in the security systems
business; provided, however, that no such license shall be issued to any person
who has been convicted in any state of the United States of a felony, unless a
hearing is held and the commissioner, at his or her discretion, determines a
license is appropriate. Any person who has been convicted of a violation of
section ninety-nine or ninety-nine A of chapter two hundred and seventy-two shall
not be issued a license, unless a hearing is held and the commissioner, at
his or her discretion, determines a license is appropriate. If any license has
been previously issued to such person, it shall be revoked.
Such license shall be valid for two years, shall state the name under which
the licensed business is to be conducted, and the address of its principal
office, and shall be posted by the licensee in a conspicuous place in such office.
The name of the business, so licensed, shall not contain any words which
denote or imply any association with agencies of the United States, the
commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions. Failure to comply with the provisions
of this paragraph shall constitute cause for revocation of such license.
The commissioner may biennially renew and may at anytime for cause, after
notice and hearing, revoke any such license. An application for renewal shall be
on a form furnished by the commissioner.
Chapter 147: Section 60. Employee statements; filing; security check; false
statements by licensee or employee; penalties
Section 60. A person, firm or corporation licensed under the provisions of
sections fifty-eight and fifty-nine may employ in his security systems business
as many persons as he may deem necessary, but no person shall be employed by
any licensee until he shall have executed and furnished to such licensee a
statement under oath setting forth his full name, date of birth and residence, his
parents names and places of birth, the business or occupation in which he has
been engaged for the three years immediately preceding the date the statement
is furnished and that he has or has not been convicted of a felony or of any
offense involving moral turpitude. Such statements shall be kept on file by
the licensee and furnished to the commissioner who shall have a security check
performed on said employment applicant. Upon completion of the security check,
the commissioner, at his or her own discretion, shall furnish to the qualified
applicant a certificate of clearance which shall be valid for two years.
If a licensee falsely states or represents that a person was or is in his
employ, such false statement or representation shall be cause for revocation or
suspension of his license and shall be subject to the penalties set forth in
section fifty-seven. Whoever falsely states or represents that he is employed or
has been employed by a licensee shall be punished by a fine of not less than
fifty nor more than five hundred dollars.
Chapter 147: Section 61. Fees
Section 61. The fee for the filing of an original security systems license
and for the filing of a renewal of such license shall be determined annually by
the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of
chapter seven. Said fees shall not exceed two hundred and fifty dollars for an
original license and one hundred and twenty-five dollars for a renewal
thereof.
The fee for a certificate of clearance shall be determined in a like manner,
but shall not exceed fifty dollars for an original or renewal of said
certificate.