Licensing Exams by Trade Name - Home Link

South Carolina

Commercial Fire Alarm Contractor

Apply for the License
South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board
Synergy Business Park - Kingstree Building
110 Centerview Dr.
Columbia, SC  29210
Phone: (803) 896-4686
Exam Provider
PSI Services LLC
3210 E. Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, NV  89121
Phone:  (855)  340-3701
Exam Type
OPEN  BOOK
Exam Content
Content Areas# of
Questions
General Electrical Knowledge15
Low Voltage15
Fire Detection & Alarm Systems20
Total number of test questions:
50
Time allowed (hours):
3.0

All Burglar and Fire Alarm Contractors are required to pass the Alarm Code of Laws Exam and the technical alarm examination of the specific license category in which they are applying.

Books Allowed in the Exam
1.
National Electrical Code (NFPA-70), [or] National Electrical Code Handbook, 2017, NFPA
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2.
NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 2016, NFPA
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3.
Fire Alarm Signaling Systems Handbook, 3rd Edition, Bukowski & O'Laughlin, NFPA
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NOTICE:  The bulletin calls out an NEC version with "SC modifications" that can be found on the NFPA web site.  This is false.  NFPA does not provide localized versions of the code.

If you want to see the exact code modifications to the NEC (only effects two sections: 90 & 210), you'll have to start on this web page: South Carolina Building Codes Council and work your way up from the 2005 version which is where they started.  Where it says "Continued", go to the previous version to find the change.

QUESTION:  "What is the difference between the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the Handbook version?".  As far as the actual NEC code quoted in the text... it's the same.

The NEC Handbook has additional diagrams, graphics and explanations inserted into the text (adding more pages and raising the price).  It was designed for engineers and inspectors.  The typical exam candidate should not use it as a preferred reference.

The books listed below are NOT allowed at the exam location

1a.
Ferm's Fast Finder Index, 2017, IAEI
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1b.
Tom Henry's Key Word Index, 2017, Tom Henry
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We recommend that you purchase one of the reference books above to study for your exam.  Each book is a comprehensive subject index to the NEC.  They provide an even faster way to look up answers in the code and are far more detailed than the index at the end of the code book.

2.
Ugly's Electrical References, 2017, Jones & Bartlett Learning
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3.
Practical Calculations for Electricians, 2017, Ray Holder
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Ugly's References contain practical applications of the NEC such as Ohm‘s Law, series/parallel circuits, voltage drop, load calculations, motor phases, impediance, inductance and math formulas you are expected to know.  The "Basic Knowledge" covered in the exam is assumed and sometimes not listed as a subject. This book also covers subjects listed as "Calculations and Theory".

A practice exam is currently NOT AVAILABLE

This page is being provided for research and links to books sources only.  We do not have an expected date for availability.  This page may have changed since your last visit.  Please refresh to see current info (F5 on your keyboard).

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