Q&A - no reciprocity for alarm licenses state to state

QUESTION:

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Dear Ken,

A good customer has asked me to install a burglar alarm system in CT for them. I have a NY License.

What would I need to do, to be able to do this job legally?  Get a license in CT?  If so, would I have to take classes in CT to get their license, like I did here in NY, or would I be able to just take their alarm license test.

I realize you may not know the answers to these questions, but maybe you can point me in the right direction for finding the answers.

Thanks.

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ANSWER:

    The is no reciprocity for alarm licenses state to state, and no federal license that over rides state licenses.  Before doing any alarm work make sure you are licensed in the jurisdiction you are doing the work.  You can get a head start on licensing requirements on my web site at http://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/alarmlicreqstate.htm.

    In addition to complying with state and local license or permit requirements, make sure your contracts are suitable for the state you are working in.  Commercial contracts are fairly similar, but consumer contracts, those used for residences, are typically different and require modification state by state.  My standard alarm contracts are customized state by state, and if you do business in more than one state it's likely that you need different contracts for each state.  If nothing else, the 3 day notice of cancellation is usually different in each state, and there may be other requirements peculiar.  Get the updated contracts at www.alarmcontracts.com.

    So to answer the question, a New York alarm installer, if licensed in NY, cannot install an alarm in Connecticut, where licensing is required.                   

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