House Bill 917 by Daryl Deshotel has passed the Louisiana House of Representatives and is now under consideration in the Senate. This legislation proposes one of the most significant updates in recent years to Louisiana’s licensing framework for life safety and property protection companies and personnel regulated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM). The bill is currently being monitored for the Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association (LLSSA) by Kevin Cunningham of Southern Strategy Group (SSG).

If enacted, HB 917 would modernize licensing timelines, adjust background-check requirements, clarify exemptions, and update administrative procedures affecting alarm, fire, locksmith, suppression, sprinkler, extinguisher, and related endorsement holders statewide.

A Shift to Three-Year Licenses

One of the most impactful provisions extends license validity from one year to three years for both firms and individuals. This change reduces renewal frequency and administrative workload for license holders while shifting fees into a multi-year structure rather than annual payments. 

According to the Legislative Fiscal Office, the adjustment may reduce yearly processing volume but consolidate payments into larger renewal cycles and slightly increase overall self-generated revenue for the OSFM. 

For contractors and technicians, this represents a meaningful administrative improvement—fewer renewal deadlines, fewer interruptions, and better long-term credential stability.

Background Check Requirements Narrowed

HB 917 limits mandatory criminal background checks to principals, officers, and designated qualifiers.

This change reduces regulatory burden and cost for licensed firms while maintaining screening requirements for those in positions of responsibility over compliance and operations.

The bill also establishes conditions under which out-of-state employees providing remote technical support may work without Louisiana licensure if background-check standards are met and reporting requirements are followed. 

Administrative Personnel Exempted from Licensure

The legislation formally exempts administrative personnel—defined as employees performing clerical, scheduling, or office support functions who do not visit protected premises—from licensing requirements. 

This clarification aligns regulatory expectations with actual job roles inside licensed firms and removes unnecessary licensing obligations for non-technical staff.

Provisional Licenses Eliminated

HB 917 repeals the State Fire Marshal’s authority to issue provisional licenses. 

While this removes a pathway previously used by some applicants entering the field, it also simplifies the licensing structure and aligns credential issuance more closely with completed qualification requirements.

Updated Renewal and Expiration Rules

The bill introduces clearer renewal timing and stricter expiration consequences:

• Licenses become invalid immediately if not renewed before expiration.
• A 15-day grace period is allowed without penalty.
• After that period, late fees of up to $125 may apply.
• Licenses expired more than one year require full reapplication and a new background check. 

These provisions emphasize proactive license management and reinforce compliance expectations across the industry.

Remote Technical Support Recognized

HB 917 acknowledges modern service delivery models by allowing certain out-of-state employees to provide remote technical support without Louisiana licensure, provided they pass background checks and meet reporting obligations. 

This change reflects how monitoring centers, programming teams, and technical specialists increasingly operate across state lines while supporting Louisiana-licensed firms.

Fee Structure and Classification Updates

The bill revises fee schedules for firm and employee endorsements and removes outdated classifications, including the definition of “door hardware specialist,” to better reflect current industry practice. 

It also allows licenses tied to certifications or credentials to expire automatically when those credentials lapse, strengthening alignment between qualification status and authorization to work. 

What This Means for LLSSA Members

HB 917 represents a modernization effort that touches nearly every licensed segment of Louisiana’s life safety and property protection industry. If enacted, members may see:

• fewer annual renewal cycles
• reduced background-check requirements for employees
• clearer exemptions for administrative staff
• recognition of remote technical support roles
• stricter expiration and reinstatement timelines
• updated licensing classifications and procedures

Taken together, these changes streamline compliance while preserving the structure of Louisiana’s nationally recognized licensing system.

The LLSSA Legislative Committee and Southern Strategy Group will continue tracking HB 917 as it moves through the Senate and will notify members if amendments are adopted that affect implementation timelines or licensing requirements.