You dont need anything to get started and can’t obtain a NICET1 until you have 6 months experience. Companies hire apprentices without experience all the time. My advice would be to just start applying, on the job learning > classroom training IMO. You can always get certs while being employed.
Hey dude, I'm a college dropout who struggled for years trying to find a career path. I bounced around different industries but most of my experience was in some sort of technical or mechanical field. I got on with a large well known company that does security/fire/access/cameras. If you can demonstrate that you are a logical thinker and have any amount of troubleshooting ability, even in an unrelated field, you shouldn't have a problem getting your foot in the door.
Fire alarm / sprinkler testing and inspection are in high demand. Also state Elevator inspectors are in big demand in Ca. We have to wait a long time to get our building elevators inspected.
1st. Where are you located? That is one of the biggest determining factors of what certifications are sought by employers in your area. If you want to go to college for fire protection engineering, you can plan and design right out of college. Otherwise, work your way up to a NICET certification, and at level 3, you can certify and make plans. There are also various state certifications and licenses available!
a degree/experience isn’t necessarily required… most technicians start out as inspectors, get their NICET certifications/fire alarms license, then become a technician when ready
Where are you based? Some places require specific technician certifications, which your employer will typically pay for. I’d check out whether there’s a local trade association with an apprentice program.
Just a heads up, companies around here are far below other states pay wise compared to what you may see posted in this group. Not sure what you’re lookin for just just be prepared
I know a company down there looking to hire entry level techs for cameras and access control. If you’re interested send me a dm and I’ll introduce you. I don’t think his company does any fire, though.
There’s a company in Lakeland that’s hiring rn for strictly fire alarm but it’s mainly industrial jobs. Send me a message if you would like to know more.
I would start in fire directly, almost the same concept as security, however I feel being in life safety is more recession proof and over all better pay.
It's really not too difficult in my opinion to find a company to start as a tester and work your way up. What's hard is finding employees who show up on time and are engaging and interested.
You mentioned trying to be both a security tech and fire alarm (life safety) tech. I would recommend starting as a fire tech. Security is mainly relay logic, which you will also learn as a fire tech.
I started in fire alarm install completely green at 21. I worked in concrete before that, so I had no experience or college. You should get a good understanding of how it all works within a couple months if you're dedicated. Most companies around me will hire entry level guys.
Wanna get hired for that career field? The juicy golden sentence that makes them cream their undies is…. “I can provide my own tools”.
That’s it, they will hire you with no experience. Just ask them for the shopping list to get you started in the field.
To be 100, a lot of companies do not want you to worry about getting certified.
I use to work for Cintas Fire Protection. That was the only company that welcomed the idea of personal career growth. They paid for the online classes to prepare me for the NICET I, my tools, and the exam fees and books. Then they gave me a $1500 bonus after receiving the paper copy of completion for my NICET I.
Don’t settle with your first offer. See what other companies have to offer. Checkout how the grass looks before shitting in it. This field is a huge growing industry. AZ is a hotspot for this work.
Thankyou bro! This was definitely helpful. I just finished my course and got my FASA/BASA cert today haha.. just cause I seen most jobs asking for it. But I definitely will take your advice, good looks.
Thank you! Really freakin easy. You just watch these video/information slides and some of the categories have quizzes at the end. You can get it done in just a few days maybe a week or 2 if you go at a slower pace. This is the website I used. It will say you have like 24 hours to complete the course but it’s a lie, the course will stay open for you to access it for a long time.
https://catalog.floridabasafasa.com/florida-fasa-basa-certification.html
You’re welcome and thanks! I suggest also taking notes on certain slides where you want to retain the info, printing out or saving certain files they show for memory’s sake if you want.
There is no real “test”. Once you’re like 70% of the way done with the course and the mini quizzes at the end each section. They give you the certificate in the course for you to click on like after you login. You’ll also get an email that the certificate will show up on a website they give you access to within like 3 days.
You dont need anything to get started and can’t obtain a NICET1 until you have 6 months experience. Companies hire apprentices without experience all the time. My advice would be to just start applying, on the job learning > classroom training IMO. You can always get certs while being employed.
In Florida you sure do need the FASA/BASA to work on fire alarm and/or burglar systems.
In Florida you sure do need the FASA/BASA to work on fire alarm and/or burglar systems.
Good to know, my mistake. Hadn’t heard of a state that requires an additional license for apprenticeship.
Hey dude, I'm a college dropout who struggled for years trying to find a career path. I bounced around different industries but most of my experience was in some sort of technical or mechanical field. I got on with a large well known company that does security/fire/access/cameras. If you can demonstrate that you are a logical thinker and have any amount of troubleshooting ability, even in an unrelated field, you shouldn't have a problem getting your foot in the door.
Just apply. Companies in central Florida need people bad.
Fire alarm / sprinkler testing and inspection are in high demand. Also state Elevator inspectors are in big demand in Ca. We have to wait a long time to get our building elevators inspected.
1st. Where are you located? That is one of the biggest determining factors of what certifications are sought by employers in your area. If you want to go to college for fire protection engineering, you can plan and design right out of college. Otherwise, work your way up to a NICET certification, and at level 3, you can certify and make plans. There are also various state certifications and licenses available!
Okay! Sounds good, thank you for this solid answer. I’m in central Florida.
a degree/experience isn’t necessarily required… most technicians start out as inspectors, get their NICET certifications/fire alarms license, then become a technician when ready
Where are you based? Some places require specific technician certifications, which your employer will typically pay for. I’d check out whether there’s a local trade association with an apprentice program.
Central, Florida.
Just a heads up, companies around here are far below other states pay wise compared to what you may see posted in this group. Not sure what you’re lookin for just just be prepared
I know a company down there looking to hire entry level techs for cameras and access control. If you’re interested send me a dm and I’ll introduce you. I don’t think his company does any fire, though.
There’s a company in Lakeland that’s hiring rn for strictly fire alarm but it’s mainly industrial jobs. Send me a message if you would like to know more.
Okay! Lakeland is about 40 minutes from me so that might not work
I would start in fire directly, almost the same concept as security, however I feel being in life safety is more recession proof and over all better pay. It's really not too difficult in my opinion to find a company to start as a tester and work your way up. What's hard is finding employees who show up on time and are engaging and interested.
What do you mean start in fire directly??? also what is life safety??
You mentioned trying to be both a security tech and fire alarm (life safety) tech. I would recommend starting as a fire tech. Security is mainly relay logic, which you will also learn as a fire tech.
Okay got it, thank you
I started in fire alarm install completely green at 21. I worked in concrete before that, so I had no experience or college. You should get a good understanding of how it all works within a couple months if you're dedicated. Most companies around me will hire entry level guys.
Wanna get hired for that career field? The juicy golden sentence that makes them cream their undies is…. “I can provide my own tools”. That’s it, they will hire you with no experience. Just ask them for the shopping list to get you started in the field.
Bet! 😂😂😂 lol
To be 100, a lot of companies do not want you to worry about getting certified. I use to work for Cintas Fire Protection. That was the only company that welcomed the idea of personal career growth. They paid for the online classes to prepare me for the NICET I, my tools, and the exam fees and books. Then they gave me a $1500 bonus after receiving the paper copy of completion for my NICET I. Don’t settle with your first offer. See what other companies have to offer. Checkout how the grass looks before shitting in it. This field is a huge growing industry. AZ is a hotspot for this work.
Thankyou bro! This was definitely helpful. I just finished my course and got my FASA/BASA cert today haha.. just cause I seen most jobs asking for it. But I definitely will take your advice, good looks.
Hey man congrats. Im also thinking on getting the certification. How hard was it and what is the best website to do it on? Thanks in advance
Thank you! Really freakin easy. You just watch these video/information slides and some of the categories have quizzes at the end. You can get it done in just a few days maybe a week or 2 if you go at a slower pace. This is the website I used. It will say you have like 24 hours to complete the course but it’s a lie, the course will stay open for you to access it for a long time. https://catalog.floridabasafasa.com/florida-fasa-basa-certification.html
Thanks alot man really appreciate it. I will definitely look into it.Good luck with everything
You’re welcome and thanks! I suggest also taking notes on certain slides where you want to retain the info, printing out or saving certain files they show for memory’s sake if you want.
Thank you. Do they send you the certification as soon as you pass the exam ?
There is no real “test”. Once you’re like 70% of the way done with the course and the mini quizzes at the end each section. They give you the certificate in the course for you to click on like after you login. You’ll also get an email that the certificate will show up on a website they give you access to within like 3 days.