Licensing & Certification Guide

You must have a license to work as a locksmith and install, service, or maintain burglar alarms, fire alarms, or electronic security systems in New Jersey.

If your business is not home-based, it must be inspected regularly after opening to make sure it stays compliant with State and local fire safety regulations. Contact your Local Enforcing Agency (LEA) to find out how often your property needs to be inspected and the steps to get routine fire inspections.

Your commercial or manufacturing space must have a key box if it’s required by your town. A key box holds building keys for firefighters, police, and other emergency personnel to use when needed. Contact your Local Enforcing Agency (LEA) to see if you need to get a key box and how to get one.

Life Hazard Use (LHU) is a label assigned to businesses with a commercial or manufacturing space that present a higher risk to human life during fires and other emergencies. Contact your Local Enforcing Agency (LEA) to learn if your business is an LHU.

If your business is an LHU, you must register with the State and pay the associated fee to operate your business.

Non-Life Hazard Use (NLHU) is a label assigned to businesses with a commercial or manufacturing space that do not present a higher risk to human life during fires and other emergencies. If your business is an NLHU, you may need to register with your LEA and pay the associated fee to operate your business.

Contact your Local Enforcing Agency (LEA) to learn if your business is an NLHU and how to register, if required.

You need a fire permit to cook in a mobile canteen or cooking trailer, such as a food truck. You must apply for a permit and pass the required inspection each time you set up at an event or specific location.

To apply for the permit or to get more information, contact your town's Local Enforcing Agency (LEA) . The LEA can be the local fire department or the state Division of Fire Safety.