Texas Fire Alarm License Renewal (State Fire Marshal)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 8 min read

In Texas, a company that plans, certifies, leases, sells, installs, services, monitors or maintains fire alarm or fire detection systems needs an Alarm Certificate of Registration (ACR) from the State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO), part of the Texas Department of Insurance, unless the Insurance Code exempts the work, and its fire alarm technicians and superintendents hold individual licenses. Both renew every two years and expire at midnight on the date printed on them. A company's renewal isn't approved until a current certificate of liability insurance is on file with the SFMO. Renewing late costs a late fee, and a registration or license expired for two years or longer can't be renewed: you apply again as new.

At a glance

Who needs it: An individual or organization may not engage in the business of planning, certifying, leasing, selling, installing, servicing, monitoring or maintaining fire alarm or fire detection devices or systems without a registration certificate from the department. Each separate office location of a registered firm needs its own branch office registration, unless the firm works exclusively with single station devices. Licenses are issued to individuals; registrations are issued to companies
Exemptions: Insurance Code 6002.155 lists work the licensing provisions don't apply to. Among them: an electrician licensed by a municipality who installs fire or smoke detection and alarm devices only in single-family or multifamily residences, if the devices are single station detectors, or interconnected multiple station detectors that aren't connected to a control panel or an outside alarm, don't transmit a signal off the premises and use no more than 120 volts, and every installation complies with the adopted edition of NFPA 72; a building contractor whose wiring includes part of a fire alarm or detection system, if its contract has a registered firm's licensed employee or agent directly supervise and certify the installation and the registered firm assume full responsibility for it, and the contractor doesn't plan, certify, lease, sell, service or maintain fire alarms; and an employee of a registered firm working under the direct on-site supervision of a license holder. Read the full section before relying on an exemption
Company registrations: Alarm Certificate of Registration (ACR), ACR Branch Office and ACR Single-Station (ACR-SS). Every registered firm must employ at least one fire alarm technician, residential fire alarm superintendent or fire alarm planning superintendent: a Residential Fire Alarm Technician license alone isn't enough
Individual licenses: Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent (APS), Fire Alarm Technician (FAL), Fire Alarm Monitoring Technician (AMT), Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent (RAS), Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent Single-Station (RAS-SS) and Residential Fire Alarm Technician (RAL)
Renews every: 2 years. A registration or license expires at midnight on the date printed on it
Renewal notice: The SFMO says it sends a renewal notice 90 days before your license expires (the Insurance Code requires written notice at least 30 days before). Licenses and registrations are now sent only by email to the email address on file: no more paper licenses or pocket cards
Renew: Online through Sircon ("Renew or Reinstate a License"), or by mail with form SF094 for individual licenses or SF084 for company registrations, paid by cashier's check or money order payable to the Texas Department of Insurance and sent to State Fire Marshal's Office, PO Box 12107, Austin, Texas 78711-2107. The Insurance Code and SF084 say a renewal must be postmarked on or before the expiration date; SF094 says before it, so don't wait for the last day
Renewal fees: For 2 years: $1,000 for an ACR main office, $300 for each branch office and $500 for a single-station only registration (ACR-SS); $200 for an APS, FAL, AMT, RAS or RAS-SS license and $100 for an RAL. SF094 adds $20 if you're employed with a new company or transferred to another company
Late renewal: Expired 90 days or less: the renewal fee plus a late fee of $125 (ACR), $37.50 (branch office), $62.50 (ACR-SS), $30 (APS, FAL, AMT, RAS or RAS-SS) or $12.50 (RAL). Expired more than 90 days but less than two years: all unpaid renewal fees plus a late fee of $500, $150, $250, $120 or $50 respectively. An incomplete renewal whose missing information isn't sent by the expiration date, or within the 30-day notice period the fire alarm rules allow, also costs a late fee
Expired two years or longer: It can't be renewed. You get a new registration or license by meeting the requirements for a first one (a company files form SF031, the Fire Alarm Certificate of Registration Application)
Insurance (companies): A general liability policy that includes products and completed operations coverage, with at least $100,000 combined single limits per occurrence and $300,000 in total for the policy year, filed as a certificate of insurance signed by a general lines or surplus lines agent licensed in Texas, with the State Fire Marshal's Office as certificate holder. Each new certificate's policy effective date must show no lapse in coverage since the last one filed. The SFMO won't approve renewals until all insurance requirements are met, and a registered company with an expired insurance certificate is in violation and drops off the SFMO's search page
Company renewal documents: SF084 asks for the general liability insurance certificate, an active franchise tax account status with the Texas Comptroller, an Assumed Name Certificate from the Secretary of State if you use a DBA, a current UL Certificate if you provide monitoring at your business address, and the name of your designated licensed full-time employee, who can't hold only an RAL. Companies with active branch offices contact the SFMO at FMLicensing@tdi.texas.gov before renewing
Continuing education: The Insurance Code makes participation in the continuing education programs the SFMO certifies voluntary, and the individual renewal form (SF094) asks nothing about CE
Not working for a registered company: You may still renew an unexpired license, but you may not do any of the work it allows until you're employed by a registered firm
Convictions: SF094 asks whether you've had any convictions since your last renewal, or any you haven't reported before. If yes, send a Criminal History Information Supplemental Form (SF261) for each one
Fingerprints: Required to renew or reinstate a license or permit that has already expired, if you have no other active SFMO license or permit on file. They must be taken within 30 days of submitting the renewal or reinstatement

Every registration and license expires on the date printed on it, so a company with several licensed employees can have several fire alarm renewal dates to keep track of besides its own.

The certificate of insurance on file lists your policy's expiration date, and a company with an expired insurance certificate is in violation: when the policy renews, file the new certificate, with an effective date that shows no lapse since the last one.

This guide covers fire alarm licenses and registrations. The SFMO's other licenses, such as fire extinguisher registrations, aren't covered here.

How to renew

Watch for the SFMO's renewal notice (TDI says it sends one 90 days before your license expires), and keep your email address on file current: licenses and registrations now arrive only by email.
Companies: make sure a current certificate of liability insurance is on file with the SFMO (the SFMO as certificate holder, no lapse since the last one), your franchise tax status is active, and your designated licensed full-time employee is still on staff.
Renew online through Sircon ("Renew or Reinstate a License"), or mail SF094 (individuals) or SF084 (companies) with a cashier's check or money order, postmarked before the expiration date.
Answer the conviction question honestly, and send an SF261 for each conviction since your last renewal, or any you haven't reported before.
Missed it? Renew within 90 days for the smaller late fee, or within two years for the larger one. Expired two years or longer, you apply again as new.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outWatch for the SFMO's renewal notice. Companies: check the certificate of liability insurance on file covers the renewal with no lapse.
60 days outCompanies: confirm your franchise tax status is active and your designated licensed full-time employee is still on staff. Branch offices: email FMLicensing@tdi.texas.gov before renewing.
30 days outRenew through Sircon, or mail SF094 or SF084 with the fee: $200 for most individual licenses ($100 for an RAL), $1,000 for an ACR main office.
Expiration dateIt expires at midnight. The Insurance Code accepts a renewal postmarked today, but the individual form (SF094) asks for a postmark before it: mail it earlier if you can.
After it expiresRenew within 90 days for the smaller late fee, or within two years for the larger one. Expired two years or longer, apply again as new.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your company's certificate of liability insurance on file with the SFMO: renewals aren't approved without a current one
Each technician's and superintendent's own fire alarm license, on the date printed on it
Your ACR branch office registrations
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do Texas fire alarm licenses renew?

Every 2 years. A registration or license expires at midnight on the date printed on it, and the SFMO says it sends a renewal notice 90 days before your license expires.

How much does it cost to renew a Texas fire alarm license?

For 2 years: $200 for an APS, FAL, AMT, RAS or RAS-SS license and $100 for an RAL. Companies pay $1,000 for an ACR main office, $300 for each branch office and $500 for a single-station only registration (ACR-SS).

Do Texas fire alarm technicians need continuing education to renew?

The Insurance Code makes participation in the continuing education programs the SFMO certifies voluntary, and the individual renewal form (SF094) asks nothing about CE.

What happens if my Texas fire alarm license expired?

Expired 90 days or less, you pay the renewal fee plus a late fee ($30 for an APS, FAL, AMT, RAS or RAS-SS license, $12.50 for an RAL, $125 for an ACR). Expired more than 90 days but less than two years, you pay all unpaid renewal fees plus a larger late fee ($120 for an APS, FAL, AMT, RAS or RAS-SS license, $50 for an RAL, $500 for an ACR). Expired two years or longer, it can't be renewed and you apply again as new.

What insurance does a Texas fire alarm company need to renew?

A general liability policy that includes products and completed operations coverage, with at least $100,000 combined single limits per occurrence and $300,000 in total for the policy year, on a certificate of insurance with the State Fire Marshal's Office as certificate holder. The SFMO won't approve renewals until all insurance requirements are met.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Texas Department of Insurance, State Fire Marshal's Office, Fire Alarm Licensing

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Texas guides

All Texas guides on one page

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

Texas Fire Alarm License Renewal (State Fire Marshal)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 8 min read

At a glance

Who needs it: An individual or organization may not engage in the business of planning, certifying, leasing, selling, installing, servicing, monitoring or maintaining fire alarm or fire detection devices or systems without a registration certificate from the department. Each separate office location of a registered firm needs its own branch office registration, unless the firm works exclusively with single station devices. Licenses are issued to individuals; registrations are issued to companies
Exemptions: Insurance Code 6002.155 lists work the licensing provisions don't apply to. Among them: an electrician licensed by a municipality who installs fire or smoke detection and alarm devices only in single-family or multifamily residences, if the devices are single station detectors, or interconnected multiple station detectors that aren't connected to a control panel or an outside alarm, don't transmit a signal off the premises and use no more than 120 volts, and every installation complies with the adopted edition of NFPA 72; a building contractor whose wiring includes part of a fire alarm or detection system, if its contract has a registered firm's licensed employee or agent directly supervise and certify the installation and the registered firm assume full responsibility for it, and the contractor doesn't plan, certify, lease, sell, service or maintain fire alarms; and an employee of a registered firm working under the direct on-site supervision of a license holder. Read the full section before relying on an exemption
Company registrations: Alarm Certificate of Registration (ACR), ACR Branch Office and ACR Single-Station (ACR-SS). Every registered firm must employ at least one fire alarm technician, residential fire alarm superintendent or fire alarm planning superintendent: a Residential Fire Alarm Technician license alone isn't enough
Individual licenses: Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent (APS), Fire Alarm Technician (FAL), Fire Alarm Monitoring Technician (AMT), Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent (RAS), Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent Single-Station (RAS-SS) and Residential Fire Alarm Technician (RAL)
Renews every: 2 years. A registration or license expires at midnight on the date printed on it
Renewal notice: The SFMO says it sends a renewal notice 90 days before your license expires (the Insurance Code requires written notice at least 30 days before). Licenses and registrations are now sent only by email to the email address on file: no more paper licenses or pocket cards
Renew: Online through Sircon ("Renew or Reinstate a License"), or by mail with form SF094 for individual licenses or SF084 for company registrations, paid by cashier's check or money order payable to the Texas Department of Insurance and sent to State Fire Marshal's Office, PO Box 12107, Austin, Texas 78711-2107. The Insurance Code and SF084 say a renewal must be postmarked on or before the expiration date; SF094 says before it, so don't wait for the last day
Renewal fees: For 2 years: $1,000 for an ACR main office, $300 for each branch office and $500 for a single-station only registration (ACR-SS); $200 for an APS, FAL, AMT, RAS or RAS-SS license and $100 for an RAL. SF094 adds $20 if you're employed with a new company or transferred to another company
Late renewal: Expired 90 days or less: the renewal fee plus a late fee of $125 (ACR), $37.50 (branch office), $62.50 (ACR-SS), $30 (APS, FAL, AMT, RAS or RAS-SS) or $12.50 (RAL). Expired more than 90 days but less than two years: all unpaid renewal fees plus a late fee of $500, $150, $250, $120 or $50 respectively. An incomplete renewal whose missing information isn't sent by the expiration date, or within the 30-day notice period the fire alarm rules allow, also costs a late fee
Expired two years or longer: It can't be renewed. You get a new registration or license by meeting the requirements for a first one (a company files form SF031, the Fire Alarm Certificate of Registration Application)
Insurance (companies): A general liability policy that includes products and completed operations coverage, with at least $100,000 combined single limits per occurrence and $300,000 in total for the policy year, filed as a certificate of insurance signed by a general lines or surplus lines agent licensed in Texas, with the State Fire Marshal's Office as certificate holder. Each new certificate's policy effective date must show no lapse in coverage since the last one filed. The SFMO won't approve renewals until all insurance requirements are met, and a registered company with an expired insurance certificate is in violation and drops off the SFMO's search page
Company renewal documents: SF084 asks for the general liability insurance certificate, an active franchise tax account status with the Texas Comptroller, an Assumed Name Certificate from the Secretary of State if you use a DBA, a current UL Certificate if you provide monitoring at your business address, and the name of your designated licensed full-time employee, who can't hold only an RAL. Companies with active branch offices contact the SFMO at FMLicensing@tdi.texas.gov before renewing
Continuing education: The Insurance Code makes participation in the continuing education programs the SFMO certifies voluntary, and the individual renewal form (SF094) asks nothing about CE
Not working for a registered company: You may still renew an unexpired license, but you may not do any of the work it allows until you're employed by a registered firm
Convictions: SF094 asks whether you've had any convictions since your last renewal, or any you haven't reported before. If yes, send a Criminal History Information Supplemental Form (SF261) for each one
Fingerprints: Required to renew or reinstate a license or permit that has already expired, if you have no other active SFMO license or permit on file. They must be taken within 30 days of submitting the renewal or reinstatement

Every registration and license expires on the date printed on it, so a company with several licensed employees can have several fire alarm renewal dates to keep track of besides its own.

This guide covers fire alarm licenses and registrations. The SFMO's other licenses, such as fire extinguisher registrations, aren't covered here.

How to renew

Watch for the SFMO's renewal notice (TDI says it sends one 90 days before your license expires), and keep your email address on file current: licenses and registrations now arrive only by email.
Companies: make sure a current certificate of liability insurance is on file with the SFMO (the SFMO as certificate holder, no lapse since the last one), your franchise tax status is active, and your designated licensed full-time employee is still on staff.
Renew online through Sircon ("Renew or Reinstate a License"), or mail SF094 (individuals) or SF084 (companies) with a cashier's check or money order, postmarked before the expiration date.
Answer the conviction question honestly, and send an SF261 for each conviction since your last renewal, or any you haven't reported before.
Missed it? Renew within 90 days for the smaller late fee, or within two years for the larger one. Expired two years or longer, you apply again as new.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outWatch for the SFMO's renewal notice. Companies: check the certificate of liability insurance on file covers the renewal with no lapse.
60 days outCompanies: confirm your franchise tax status is active and your designated licensed full-time employee is still on staff. Branch offices: email FMLicensing@tdi.texas.gov before renewing.
30 days outRenew through Sircon, or mail SF094 or SF084 with the fee: $200 for most individual licenses ($100 for an RAL), $1,000 for an ACR main office.
Expiration dateIt expires at midnight. The Insurance Code accepts a renewal postmarked today, but the individual form (SF094) asks for a postmark before it: mail it earlier if you can.
After it expiresRenew within 90 days for the smaller late fee, or within two years for the larger one. Expired two years or longer, apply again as new.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your company's certificate of liability insurance on file with the SFMO: renewals aren't approved without a current one
Each technician's and superintendent's own fire alarm license, on the date printed on it
Your ACR branch office registrations
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do Texas fire alarm licenses renew?

Every 2 years. A registration or license expires at midnight on the date printed on it, and the SFMO says it sends a renewal notice 90 days before your license expires.

How much does it cost to renew a Texas fire alarm license?

Do Texas fire alarm technicians need continuing education to renew?

The Insurance Code makes participation in the continuing education programs the SFMO certifies voluntary, and the individual renewal form (SF094) asks nothing about CE.

What happens if my Texas fire alarm license expired?

What insurance does a Texas fire alarm company need to renew?

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Texas Department of Insurance, State Fire Marshal's Office, Fire Alarm Licensing

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Texas guides

All Texas guides on one page

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet