Licensing & Certification Guide

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 Flashing Amber Light permit to use amber (yellow) warning lights on your vehicle for certain types of work. These lights warn others of potential hazards when you work on public roads.

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.

You need a Certificate of Registration to have and operate a funeral home or mortuary establishment in New Jersey. If you have a chapel, preparation room, or any other facility at a different address, it needs a separate Certificate of Registration.

If you are applying in an even-numbered year (for example, 2026 or 2028), use the first-year application. If you are applying in an odd-numbered year (for example, 2025 or 2027), use the second-year application.

If you practice mortuary science, embalming, or funeral directing, you need a mortuary practitioner license. If you are the manager or licensee-in-charge of a funeral home, you also need this license.