The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Rules
BILL: CS/CS/SB 1140
INTRODUCER: Banking and Insurance Committee; Regulated Industries Committee and Senator Perry
SUBJECT: Alarm Systems
DATE: February 8, 2022 REVISED:
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Kraemer Imhof RI Fav/CS
2. Arnold Knudson BI Fav/CS
3. Kraemer Phelps RC Favorable
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/CS/SB 1140 reduces the initial training and continuing education requirements for fire alarm
system agents with certain specialized certifications or training relating to fire alarm systems.
Eligible agents need only meet a requirement for two hours of training in false alarms prevention
required by s. 489.5185(1)(b), F.S.
The bill amends the definition of a low-voltage alarm system project to include video cameras
and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems used to signal or detect a burglary, fire, robbery, or
medical emergency. Such systems use a closed circuit for the signal rather than the typical open
transmission used in broadcast television.
The bill establishes an expedited permitting process for fire alarm system alterations, requiring
the issuance, in person or electronically, of permits in specified circumstances.
The bill is effective July 1, 2022.
II. Present Situation:
Licensed Alarm System Contractors
Part II of ch. 489, F.S., dealing with electrical and alarm system contracting, sets forth
requirements for qualified persons to be licensed if they have sufficient technical expertise in the
BILL: CS/CS/SB 1140 Page 2
applicable trade, and have been tested on technical and business matters.1 The Electrical
Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB) within the Department of Business and Professional
Regulation (DBPR) is responsible for licensing and regulating electrical and alarm system
contractors in Florida under part II of ch. 489, F.S.2
An electrical contractor is a person whose business includes the electrical trade field and who has
the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, repair, alter, add to, or design, in compliance with
law, electrical wiring, fixtures, and appliances, and any related part, which generates, transmits,
or uses electrical energy, in compliance with applicable plans, specifications, codes, laws, and
regulations.3 The term “electrical contractor” also includes any person, firm, or corporation that
engages in the business of electrical contracting under an expressed or implied contract or that
undertakes, offers to undertake, or submits a bid to engage in the business of alarm contracting. 4
An alarm system is any electrical device, signaling device, or combination of electrical devices
used to signal or detect a burglary, fire, robbery, or medical emergency.5 Licensure of electrical
and alarm systems contractors is required, and applicants must have sufficient technical
experience and be tested on technical and business matters.
An alarm system contractor is a person whose business includes the execution of contracts
requiring the ability, experience, science, knowledge, and skill to conduct all alarm services for
compensation, for all types of alarm systems for all purposes.6 The term “alarm system
contractor” also includes any person, firm, or corporation that engages in the business of alarm
contracting under an expressed or implied contract, or that undertakes, offers to undertake, or
submits a bid to engage in the business of alarm contracting.7
An alarm system contractor whose business includes all types of alarm systems for all purposes
is designated as an “alarm system contractor I, including fire alarm systems;” the practice area of
an “alarm system contractor II” is identical except that it does not include fire alarm systems. 8
The terms “registered alarm system contractor,” and “registered electrical contractor” mean those
contractors who have registered with the DBPR and met competency requirements for their trade
category in the particular jurisdiction for which the registration is issued. Registered contractors
may contract only in the jurisdiction for which the registration is issued.9
The term “certification” means the act by a contractor obtaining or holding a geographically
unlimited certificate of competency from the DBPR.10 When an alarm system contractor is
certified, the contractor possesses a certificate of competency, with some limitations as to the
1
See s. 489.501, F.S.
2
Section 489.507, F.S.
3
See s. 489.505(12), F.S.
4
Id.
5
Section 489.505(1), F.S.
6
See s. 489.505(2), F.S.
7
Id.
8
Id.
9
See ss. 489.505(16), (21), and (22), F.S.
10
See ss. 489.505(4), (5), and (6), F.S.
BILL: CS/CS/SB 1140 Page 3
scope of work that may be undertaken, without any mandatory licensure requirement.11 The term
“certified electrical contractor” means an electrical contractor who possesses a certificate of
competency. To be certified a person must be 18 years of age, pass the certification examination,
be of good moral character, and meet the eligibility requirements of s. 489.511(1)(b)3., F.S.12
Unless an exemption applies, the term “contracting” means engaging in business as a contractor
or performing electrical or alarm work for compensation and includes, but is not limited to,
performance of the work that may be performed by electrical or alarm system contractors.13 The
attempted sale of contracting services and the negotiation or bid for a contract on these services
also constitutes contracting. If the services offered require licensure or agent qualification, the
offering, negotiation for a bid, or attempted sale of these services requires the corresponding
licensure.14
The term “specialty contractor” means a contractor whose scope of practice is limited to a
specific category of electrical or alarm system contracting, such as residential electrical
contracting, maintenance of electrical fixtures, and fabrication, erection, installation, and
maintenance of electrical advertising signs.15
Section 489.514, F.S., authorizes the ECLB to grandfather certain applicants for registered
contract status, but only if application was made before November 1, 2021; under this provision,
which now appears obsolete, the ECLB is required to certify an electrical, electrical specialty, or
alarm system contractor to engage in the specified trade category throughout the state, upon:
Receipt of a completed application;
Payment of the appropriate fee;16 and
Evidence that he or she qualifies for the certification in a trade category based on:
o Having a valid registered local license;
o Passing an approved written examination;
o Having a minimum of five years’ contracting experience in the applicable trade category
(with an active license and excluding probationary periods);
11
See s. 489.505(7), F.S., which describes the limitations on the scope of a certificate of competency as those circuits
originating in alarm control panels, equipment governed by the Articles 725, 760, 770, 800, and 810 of the National
Electrical Code, Current Edition, and National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, Current Edition, as well as the
installation, repair, fabrication, erection, alteration, addition, or design of electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, thermostats,
apparatus, raceways, and conduit, or any part thereof not to exceed 98 volts (RMS), when those items are for the purpose of
transmitting data or proprietary video (satellite systems that are not part of a community antenna television or radio
distribution system) or providing central vacuum capability or electric locks. RMS is an acronym for “root mean square,”
a statistical term defined as the square root of mean square, or effective voltage. See
http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com/Articles/RMS-voltage-and-current-
explained.php#:~:text=RMS%20Voltage%20and%20Current-
%20Explained.%20RMS,%20or%20root,power%20dissipation,%20in%20circuit,%20as%20this%20AC%20voltage.
(last visited January 27, 2022).
12
Section 489.511(1(b)3., F.S., provides experience requirements for certification.
13
See s. 489.505(9), F.S.; see also, ss. 489.505(2) and (12), F.S., for the various services that may be performed, and
ss. 489.503(1) through (24), F.S., for the persons and types of work that are exempted from the term “contracting.”
14
See s. 489.505(9), F.S.
15
See s. 489.505(19), F.S.
16
The ECLB has established a $196 fee for applications for registered contractor certification. See s. 489.109, F.S., and Fla.
Admin. Code R. ch. 61G6-8.
BILL: CS/CS/SB 1140 Page 4
o Never having had a contractor’s license revoked, and during the last five years, not
having had a suspended license or been assessed a fine in excess of $500; and
o Meeting all required insurance and financial responsibility requirements.17
Mandatory Disclosure of Contractor Registration or Certification Numbers
Under s. 489.521(7), F.S., each registered or certified contractor must state the appropriate
registration or certification number on each building permit application and each issued and
recorded building permit. All city and county building departments must require, as a condition
for building permit issuance, that the contractor applying for the permit verify his or her
registration or certification as an electrical or alarm system contractor in the state.18
A contractor’s registration or certification number must also be stated in each offer of services,
business proposal, or advertisement, regardless of medium, used by that contractor; however, the
term “advertisement” does not include business stationery or promotional novelties such as
balloons, pencils, trinkets, or articles of clothing; this requirement does not apply to a newspaper,
magazine, flyer, billboard, phone book, Internet, or broadcast advertisement for alarm system
contracting as long as the contractor maintains a website that includes the number and the
advertisement directs consumers to the website.19
The ECLB must assess a fine of not less than $100 or issue a citation to any contractor who fails
to include that contractor’s certification or registration number when submitting an
advertisement for publication, broadcast, or printing.20 In addition, a person who claims in any
advertisement to be a certified or registered contractor, but who does not hold a valid state
certification or registration, commits a misdemeanor of the second degree.21
Fire Alarm Systems Agents; Licensing; Continuing Education Requirements
Section 489.505(28), F.S., defines “fire alarm system agent” as a person:
Who is employed by a licensed fire alarm contractor or certified unlimited electrical
contractor;
Who is performing duties that are part of fire alarm system contracting requiring
certification; and
Whose specific duties include any of the following: altering, installing, maintaining, moving,
repairing, replacing, servicing, selling, or monitoring a fire alarm system for compensation.
The provisions of s. 489.5185, F.S., include the requirements for fire alarm system agents, who
may not be employed unless the person is at least 18 years of age, provides proof of a minimum
of 14 hours of initial training, has not been convicted of a crime within the last three years
17
See s. 489.515(1)(b), F.S., which provides that an applicant must submit satisfactory evidence of workers’ compensation
insurance or an acceptable exemption issued by the DBPR, public liability and property damage insurance in amounts
determined by the ECLB, and evidence of financial responsibility, credit, and business reputation of either the contractor or
the business sought to be qualified for certification.
18
See s. 553.521(7)(a), F.S.
19
See s. 553.521(7)(b), F.S.
20
Id.
21
As to a misdemeanor of the second degree, s. 775.082, F.S., provides such offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment
not to exceed 60 days, and s. 775.083, F.S., provides such offense is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.
BILL: CS/CS/SB 1140 Page 5
(related to the business of fire alarms), has a background check, and has not been convicted of a
crime for controlled substances within the last three years.
The initial training for a fire alarm system agent must include basic fire alarm system technology
in addition to related training in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and
standards and access control training, with at least 2 hours of training in the prevention of false
alarms.
A certified electrical contractor, a certified fire alarm system contractor, a registered fire alarm
system contractor, a journeyman electrician licensed by any local jurisdiction, or an alarm
technician licensed by a local jurisdiction that requires an examination and experience or training
as licensure qualifications, is not required to complete the training required for fire alarm system
agents, and a registered electrical contractor is not required to complete that training, provided he
or she is only doing electrical work up to the alarm panel.22
Section 489.5185(2)(c), F.S., provides that a nonsupervising employee working as a helper or
apprentice under the direct, onsite, continuous supervision of a certified or registered electrical
contractor, a certified or registered fire alarm system contractor, a journeyman electrician
licensed by any local jurisdiction, an alarm technician licensed by a local jurisdiction that
requires an examination and experience or training as licensure qualifications, or a qualified fire
alarm system agent, is not required to complete any fire alarm system training and is not required
to be 18 years of age or older. Persons who perform only monitoring23 are not required to
complete the training required for fire alarm system agents.
Each fire alarm system agent must receive six hours of continuing education on fire alarm
system installation and repair and false alarm prevention every two years, from a board-approved
sponsor of training and through a board-approved training course.24 Failure to comply with any
of the provisions of s. 489.5185, F.S., is grounds for disciplinary action against the contractor as
set forth in s. 489.533, F.S.25
Alarm system contractors may also hold certificates of competency from the DBPR, which are
geographically unlimited.26 Holders of those certificates are certified alarm system contractors,
and the scope of certification is limited to specific alarm circuits and equipment.27 There is no
mandatory licensure requirement created by the availability of certification. 28
22
See Section 489.5185(2), F.S.
23
See supra note 15.
24
See Section 489.5185(5), F.S.
25
See Section 489.5185(6), F.S.
26
Sections 489.505(4) and 489.505(5), F.S.,
27
Section 489.505(7), F.S., describes the limitations as those circuits originating in alarm control panels, equipment governed
by the Articles 725, 760, 770, 800, and 810 of the National Electrical Code, Current Edition, and National Fire Protection
Association Standard 72, Current Edition, as well as the installation, repair, fabrication, erection, alteration, addition, or
design of electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, thermostats, apparatus, raceways, and conduit, or any part thereof not to
exceed 98 volts (RMS), when those items are for the purpose of transmitting data or proprietary video (satellite systems that
are not part of a community antenna television or radio distribution system) or providing central vacuum capability or electric
locks.
28
Id.
BILL: CS/CS/SB 1140 Page 6
National Institute of Certification in Engineering Technologies
The National Institute of Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), established in
1961, certifies engineering technicians and technologists, and more than 148,000 technicians and
technologists have received NICET certification since then.29 Certification programs include
those for:30
Fire Alarm Systems;
Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems;
Inspection and Testing of Water-based Syst