Obtain a: Class A, B or C Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor License

STEP 1: Applying & Scheduling Your Exam 

Candidates must pass the written exam before submitting a background application to become a licensed Master Fire Suppression.

Payments must be made through the License Exam Application/Payment function on the DOB NOW Public Portal. A DOB NOW account is not required, this option is available to all users.

To apply, open the License Exam Application/Payment, select New Payment. Choose Master Fire Suppression as the license type and complete the required information. Once you have fully completed the form, click Create. The system will prompt you to pay the $585.00 fee via eCheck or Credit Card.

After submitting the exam application, if it is accepted, candidate will receive an email from the exam administrator within one (1) to two (2) weeks with instructions on how to schedule the exam. Exams are offered at several locations throughout the tri-state area.

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and assesses the candidate’s knowledge of the rules that ensure the safety of the public and property at New York City work sites. Reference materials are not permitted during the exam.

The passing score is seventy percent (70%). If you pass the written exam, you will be notified at the testing location on the day of the exam.

If you have questions about your exam application or about the exam application process, please direct your inquiry to LicenseExams@buildings.nyc.gov

If you are experiencing technical difficulty with the DOB NOW Portal, please direct your inquiry at DOB NOW Help Form.

STEP 2: License Qualifications

To obtain a Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor license, you must meet the following qualifications prior to submitting your background application:

1. Be at least eighteen (18) years old
2. Be able to read and write the English language
3. Be fit to perform the work authorized by the license
4. Have good moral character so as not to adversely impact your ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor, and
5. Meet one (1) of the following experience qualification:

• • Has at least seven (7) years total experience, within the ten (10) years prior to application, in the performance of fire suppression piping work, including the planning or design of fire suppression piping systems under the direct and continuing supervision of a licensed Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor in the United States with the class of license for which application is made, with at least two (2) years of such experience as a registered journeyman fire suppression piping installer in accordance with the provision of article 411
  • Has received a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, fire protection engineering or appropriate engineering technology from an accredited college or university registered by the New York State Department of Education and has at least five (5) years total experience, within seven (7) years prior to application, in the performance of  fire suppression piping work, including the planning or design of fire suppression piping systems under the direct and continuing supervision of a licensed Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor in the United States with the class of license for which application is made, at least two (2) years of were in New York City
  • Is a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect with at least three (3) years of experience, within the five (5) years prior to application, in the performance of fire suppression piping work, including the planning or design of fire suppression piping systems. All required experience must be under the direct and continuing supervision of a Licensed Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor in the United States with the class of license for which application is made, and at least one (1) year of such experience must be in New York City
  • Has at least seven (7) years total experience, within ten (10) years prior to application, with at least two (2) years of such experience in the performance of fire suppression piping work, including the planning or design of fire suppression piping systems under the direct and continuing supervision of a Licensed Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor in the United States with the class of license for which application is made. The balance of such required experience may be obtained by performing maintenance, replacement and repair of fire suppression piping work on existing buildings while in the employment of a City agency under the direct and continuing supervision of a Licensed Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor Supervisor employed by the city agency with the class of license for which application is made. The two (2) years of experience in the planning or design of fire suppression piping systems set forth above may only be satisfied by working as a registered journeyman fire suppression piping installer; or
  • Has experience as an employee of a government agency, or a private inspection agency or other entity, as specified in Department rules, whose duties primarily involve the inspection of fire suppression systems for compliance with the New York City Plumbing Code and/or other laws relating to the installation, alteration or repair of fire suppression piping systems that shall be credited for fifty percent (50%) of the number of years that he or she has been satisfactorily employed in such duties within the ten (10) year period prior to application, which, however, in no event, shall exceed two and one-half (2 ½) years credit of satisfactory experience. The balance of the required seven (7) years must have been obtained in the performance of fire suppression piping work and in the planning or design of fire suppression systems under the direct and continuing supervision of a Licensed Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor in the United States with the class of license for which application is made except that the requirement of paragraph 1 of this section that an applicant’s working experience must have been within ten (10) prior to application shall not apply to such balance of the work experience required pursuant to this paragraph.

STEP 3: Background Application Investigation

To be eligible for Master Fire Suppression license, applicants are required to successfully pass both the written and practical master/special electrician and undergo a background investigation. Applicants must upload PDF copies of the required documents to the designated slot.

Applicants have one (1) year from the date of their practical examination notification to submit their application to the Department via DOB NOW: Licensing. All documents must be signed and notarized within the last 90 days from the date of submission.

The following documentations are required:

• Examination Score Report with a passing score
• LIC62 Physical Exam Form: form must be fully completed by the physician within 90 days prior to submitting the background application. Form must have the physician’s stamp.
• Experience Verification Forms (EVF): form must be fully completed, signed and notarized by all supervisors for the years the applicant is claiming as experience

*NOTE: EVF filled out by Human Resources or the applicant will not be accepted.

• Social Security History of Earnings: applicant must request a detailed itemized earnings statement for the years the applicant is claiming experience.

NOTE: There is a fee charged by the Social Security Administration for this service. You must request the report to be run by 'company name.' You may request the information via their website or visiting your local social security office.  Please note, not all locations may offer this therefore we strongly recommend that you call in advance and confirm if they accept walk-ins.

• Valid government issued photo ID (driver’s license, learner’s permit, State ID, permanent resident card, or passport)
• Social Security Card
• Latest pay stub and/or W-2

If you have questions about your background application or would like to inquire the status, please direct your send inquiry to lbackgrounds@buildings.nyc.gov.

If you are experiencing technical difficulty with the DOB NOW Portal, please direct your inquiry at DOB NOW Help Form.

Additional Documents

Business Documents

As a licensee applicant, you are required to be an officer, partner or sole proprietor of a business/company, and the business must have a place of business in New York City that complies with all Zoning Code regulations (i.e., within a commercial zone).

Applicants will be required to submit the following business documentation:

• All Master Plumber businesses must have General Liability, Workers’ Compensation, and Disability Insurances. Please refer to the Insurance Guidelines section for more information about insurances
• All Master Plumber businesses provide a telephone bill in the business’s name for the approved business location. If the phone service is a non-traditional landline (i.e., VoIP or mobile service), the business must also provide one of the following documents in the business’s name for the approved location:
  • A current utility bill (water, electricity, or gas), or
  • A signed and notarized lease or rental agreement stating that all utilities are included as part of the agreement

Requirements for Corporation

• Copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, certified by the State
• Copy of Filing Receipt certified by the State
• Copy of the minutes stating the elected officers, including time, date, and location of meeting (applicant must be an officer)
• Copy of Articles of Agreement/By Laws. If there is none, an Affidavit on Corporation Stationery stating there are none, must be submitted
• Applicants must have at least 51% interest in the corporation, unless there are other Master Fire Suppression licensee with an ownership interest in the corporation, in which case the combined controlling interest of all Licensees must equal at least 51%
• Stock certificates for all issued shares

Requirements for Limited Liability Company (LLC)

• Copy of filing receipt or Certificate of Good Standing
• Copy of Article of Organization certified by the State
• Copy of Operating Agreement (if none, an affidavit on corporation stationery stating such)
• Copy of the minutes stating the elected officers, including time, date, and location of meeting (applicant must be an officer)

Requirements for a Partnership

• Copy of Partnership Agreement listing all Present Officers.
• Letter on official business stationery stating the names and addresses of all partners and the license number, if applicable; the letter must include a paragraph confirming that the licensed partner will notify the Department of Buildings of any changes in partnership, whether the partners are licensed or unlicensed

Requirements for Individual (Sole-Proprietorship)

• An affidavit stating that you will be operating as a sole proprietorship and acknowledging that you are personally liable for all violations and fines issued for the licensed work that you perform
• Additionally, if operating under a trade name, a copy of the Business Certificate is certified by the County Clerk

If you have questions pertaining to any business documents, please direct your inquiry to licensingdob@buildings.nyc.gov.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the DOB NOW Portal, please direct your inquiry to DOB NOW Help Form.

STEP 4: Obtaining the License Card

If the Department determines that you have met all qualifications and successfully pass the background investigation, you will receive a determination email generated through the DOB NOW Portal with instructions for your next steps. If you do not see an email from the DOB NOW Portal in your inbox, please check your spam or junk email. 

If your application is denied, you will receive a denial letter sent to the email address listed in your DOB NOW Portal explaining the reason for the denial.

You will have one (1) year from the date of approval in DOB NOW to pick up your license card. Failure to do so will result in the portal automatically closing your application as a denial, and you will be required to restart the entire application process. 

If you have any questions or concerns, you must contact the Licensing & Exams Unit at (212) 393-2259 or via email at licensingdob@buildings.nyc.gov, as all subsequent steps in the process are handled by that unit.

STEP 5: Reconsideration

An applicant who has been notified that they failed to meet the fitness and qualification requirements may request reconsideration if they have additional relevant information or documentation for the Department’s review. All supporting documentation must be submitted at the time the reconsideration request is filed.

The Department must receive the request for reconsideration no later than sixty (60) days from the date of the license denial notification. For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for and upload a reconsideration request, refer to the DOB NOW: Licensing Presentation (Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor).

NOTE: Failure to timely respond to the Department’s objection will result in automatic denial and closure of the application. Such denials are final and ineligible for reconsideration.

Helpful Links

• Printer version
• Licensing FAQs
• DOB NOW: Licensing Step-by-Step and Video Tutorials
• Chapter 4: Licensing and Registration of Businesses, Trades and Occupations Engaged In Building Work
• 1 RCNY §104-01 (License Qualifications)
• 1-RCNY §104-02 (Required Insurance)
• 1 RCNY §104-26 (Deactivation of License)