What Is a Low Voltage Qualifying Agent?

What does a low voltage contractor license cover?

"Low voltage" has no single legal definition. It usually means wiring and equipment that run on limited power instead of standard line voltage. States define it either by a voltage ceiling, which differs from state to state, or by the National Electrical Code's categories of power-limited, signaling and communications circuits. Either way, it typically covers structured and data cabling including fiber, telephone and intercom systems, audio/video and sound systems, video surveillance, access control, intrusion alarms, home automation, and control wiring for things like HVAC and lighting. The line voltage power that feeds this equipment belongs to an electrician. Fire alarm is the biggest variable: some states include it in their low voltage license, some exclude it, and some license it separately (learn more about your state here).

What does a qualifying agent do in low voltage work?

Where a state licenses low voltage work, the qualifier is the licensed individual responsible for the low voltage work the business does. In some states that person must hold an individual credential at the master or administrator level and be assigned to the business, and in others the qualifier passes an exam as the company's designated representative. Their supervision covers permits and inspections where they apply, making sure low voltage cabling is installed to the adopted electrical code and kept separate from power wiring, and the jobs themselves, from office network cabling and security camera installs to access control, sound and AV systems and home automation. On cabling jobs the finished work is often tested and documented against industry standards, frequently so the manufacturer will warranty the system. Cabling technicians, security installers, AV technicians and system programmers do most of the work, and in some states those technicians need their own individual license or certification tied to a licensed company.

A qualifier who only lends a name isn't supervising, and that's a license rental. See our guides on how the qualifying agent relationship actually works and renting or leasing a contracting license.

Is low voltage licensed, and can another license cover it?

It depends on the state, and there's no single pattern. Some states issue a limited or specialty class under electrical licensing, some have a separate low voltage classification within the general contractor licensing system, and some exempt most low voltage work from licensing altogether, though cities may still license it. Security work is the common exception. In some states, burglar alarm, access control and sometimes surveillance installation is licensed by a public safety or private security agency, not by a contractor or electrical board, and a business doing both may need licenses from two agencies. In many states an unlimited electrical contractor license covers low voltage work, but a low voltage license never covers line voltage power wiring. A general contractor license generally doesn't authorize low voltage work directly, so the GC subcontracts it to the appropriately licensed contractor where a license is required (learn more about your state here).

What does it take to get licensed in low voltage?

Where low voltage work is licensed, each state sets its own requirements, and the license may come from an electrical board, a contractor board or a public safety agency, depending on the state and the kind of work. See our guides on what experience is required, how to gain experience, and what education is required.

What standards and credentials are specific to low voltage work?

The work follows the National Electrical Code's rules for power-limited, signaling and communications circuits, as adopted locally, and cabling performance and installation follow industry standards such as ANSI/TIA-568. BICSI certifies cabling installers and technicians, and BICSI and manufacturer certifications may be required by project specifications or for system warranties, but they aren't state licenses.

What else should you know?

Most of what applies to any trade is covered in our guides. See starting a contracting business without a license and how long you have to replace a qualifying agent for when a business needs a qualifier, renting or leasing a contracting license for why renting isn't an option, and the state-by-state directory for how requirements differ. See all ten trades on our trades page, and the full list of guides on our guides page.

How do you find a low voltage qualifier or a business hiring one?

findQualifier.com is a public, searchable board of licensed professionals advertising their availability to work as a qualifier, by state and trade. Browse available qualifiers, browse businesses looking to hire, or post a listing.