Fireworks licenses, permits, and test information

Instructions

• You must include a fingerprint receipt with your application for an operator’s license unless you already have fingerprints on file with the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO).
• We will send a renewal notice 90 days before your license expires. After your initial renewal, we will send the notice every two years.
  
  

  SFMO address

  Mailing address:	Delivery address:
  State Fire Marshal’s Office PO Box 12107 Austin, Texas 78711-2107	State Fire Marshal’s Office Texas Department of Insurance 1601 Congress Avenue, Ste. 6.900 Austin, Texas 78701

Types of licenses

Manufacturer’s license

A manufacturer’s license is required for a person or company that manufactures, stores, possesses, and sells fireworks constructed by that person or company.

A manufacturer may sell:

• Fireworks 1.3G to a licensed distributor or pyrotechnic operator or to a fireworks public display permit holder for use in public fireworks displays in this state.
• Fireworks 1.4G to a licensed distributor or jobber.

To obtain a manufacturer’s license:

1. Submit a Fireworks License and/or Permit application (PDF).
2. Submit the applications, forms, and fees at the same time.

Note: Please send one payment to cover all fees. Combine fee payments for other applications.

Distributor’s License

A distributor’s license is required for a person or company that imports into this state or stores, possesses, and sells:

• Fireworks 1.3G to a licensed pyrotechnic operator or distributor or to a single public display, multiple public display, or agricultural, industrial, and wildlife control fireworks permit holder.
• Fireworks 1.4G to a licensed jobber, retailer, or distributor in this state.

To obtain a distributor’s license:

1. Submit a Fireworks License and/or Permit application (PDF).
2. Submit the applications, forms, and fees at the same time.

Note: Please send one payment to cover all fees. Combine fee payments for other applications.

Jobber’s License

A jobber’s license is required for a person or company that stores, possesses, and sells fireworks 1.4G to a person holding a retail fireworks permit.

To obtain a jobber’s license:

1. Submit a Fireworks License and/or Permit application (PDF).
2. Submit the applications, forms, and fees at the same time.

Note: Please send one payment to cover all fees. Combine fee payments for other applications.

Pyrotechnic Operator’s License

Prerequisite: Assisted in conducting 5 permitted public displays in the state of Texas, using Fireworks 1.3G, and provide written verification from the pyrotechnic operator licensed in Texas.

A person who assembles, conducts, and supervises public fireworks displays using Fireworks 1.3G is required to obtain a pyrotechnic operator’s license.

To obtain a pyrotechnic operator’s license:

1. Pass the Fireworks Pyrotechnic Operator test.
2. Have a fingerprint background check done if you don’t have one on file with SFMO.
3. Submit a Pyrotechnic, Special Effects, and Flame Effects Operator’s License Application (PDF).
4. Submit the applications, forms, and fees at the same time.

Note: Please send one payment to cover all fees. Combine fee payments for other applications.

Pyrotechnic Special Effects Operator’s License

An individual who assembles, conducts, and supervises proximate displays using Fireworks 1.3G or Fireworks 1.4G as defined in NFPA 1126 “Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics Before a Proximate Audience” is required to obtain a pyrotechnic special effects operator’s license. This permit is not required for the use of Fireworks 1.4G by a retail customer for private or personal amusement.

To obtain a special effects operator’s license:

1. Pass the Fireworks Special Effects Operator test.
2. Have a fingerprint background check done if you don’t have one on file with SFMO.
3. Submit a Pyrotechnic, Special Effects, and Flame Effects Operator’s License Application (PDF).
4. Submit the applications, forms, and fees at the same time.

Note: Please send one payment to cover all fees. Combine fee payments for other applications.

Flame Effects Operator’s License

An individual who assembles, conducts, and supervises flame effects as defined in NFPA 160 “Standard for the Use of Flame Effects Before an Audience” before an assembly of 50 people or more, is required to obtain a flame effects operator’s license. This does not apply to traditional, nontheatrical public displays such as: use of lighted candles in restaurants or during religious services; fireplaces in areas open to the public; or restaurant cooking visible to the public.

To obtain a flame effects operator’s license:

1. Pass the Fireworks Flame Effects Operator test.
2. Have a fingerprint background check done if you don’t have one on file with SFMO.
3. Submit a Pyrotechnic, Special Effects, and Flame Effects Operator’s License Application (PDF).
4. Submit the applications, forms, and fees at the same time.

Note: Please send one payment to cover all fees. Combine fee payments for other applications.

Types of Permits

Public Display Permit

1. A single public display permit is required when igniting fireworks 1.3G for public or private amusement. This permit is valid for only one public fireworks display to be held during the hours and on the date or alternate date, if provided, stated on the permit and is not renewable.
2. A multiple public display permit may be issued when conducting multiple fireworks displays using fireworks 1.3G, at a single location. This permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance and is not renewable.

To obtain a single or multiple display permit:

1. Submit a Class B Fireworks (Fireworks 1.3G) Singular or Multiple Display Permit (PDF).
2. Submit a Certificate of Liability Insurance for bodily injury and property damage.
3. Submit the application, forms, site plan, and fees at the same time.

Note: Please send one payment to cover all fees. Combine fee payments for other applications.

Agricultural, Industrial, and Wildlife Control Permit

An individual who uses fireworks 1.3G for agricultural, industrial, or wildlife control purposes must obtain this permit. This permit expires one year from the date of issuance and is not renewable.

To obtain agricultural, industrial, and wildlife control permit:

1. Submit a Application for Fireworks License and/or Permit (PDF).
2. Submit the application, forms, site plan, and fees at the same time.

Note: Please send one payment to cover all fees. Combine fee payments for other applications.

Retail Fireworks Permit

An individual who sells fireworks 1.4G directly to the public must obtain a nonrenewable permit for each retail location. The fireworks may only be sold from June 24 to midnight July 4; December 20 to midnight January 1.

Restrictions and exceptions for selling fireworks see Fireworks Statutes and Rules (PDF).

The permit is only valid for one year and expires on January 31 each year.

Tests

¹ Using Fireworks 1.3G or Fireworks 1.4G where audiences are closer to pyrotechnic devices than permitted by NFPA 1123 “Code of Fireworks Display.”

² Permits for flame effects or pyrotechnics 1.4G before an audience of 50 or more people must be obtained through the local authority having jurisdiction according to the Texas Occupations Code Section 2154.253(b)(7).

³ For fireworks 1.4G devices only.

Scheduling a test

Test are registered through PSI Exams Online. You may schedule your test either:

• Online at www.psiexams.com/txfire.
• By phone: 800-733-9267.
• By email: examschedule@psionline.com.

Test description

• All tests are closed book.
• Tests have 50 questions that are true/false or multiple choice.
• Questions may refer to a drawing, chart, or figure that is included with the test.
• Technical test questions are based on the adopted standards.
• No questions are based on specific manufacturer’s equipment other than those generally referenced by an NFPA standard.

Test scores

• You must have a passing score of 70% or better.
• PSI will send a copy of your test scores to SFMO.

Test restrictions

You may schedule each type of test only once a week and no more than three times every 12 months.

Test references

Fire Pyrotechnic Operator TFM05 test

Questions on this test are based on:

1. Sections of the Fireworks Regulations and Rules (PDF) that pertain to a pyrotechnic operator.
2. Information contained in the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 11231 “Code for Fireworks Display” 1995 edition.

Fireworks Special Effects Operator TFM06 test

Questions on this test are based on:

1. Sections of Fireworks Regulations and Rules (PDF) that pertain to a special effects operator.
2. Information contained in the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 11261 “Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics Before a Proximate Audience” 1996 edition.
3. General pyrotechnic knowledge and basic principles of electronic circuitry.

Fireworks Flame Effects Operator TFM07 test

Questions on this test are based on:

1. Sections of Fireworks Regulations and Rules (PDF) that pertain to a flame effects operator.
2. Information contained in the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 1601 “Standard for the Use of Flame Effects Before an Audience.”
3. Practical knowledge of flammable liquids and gasses used in flame effects.

Fees

• The license fee and renewal fee for a Manufacturer’s, Distributor’s, and Jobber’s license includes an additional $250 fee for the Fireworks Safety and Education Program, as required by the 76th Legislature.
• To get a duplicate license or to revise your license, send a letter and a fee of $20 to SFMO.
• Send one payment to cover all fees. Combine multiple fee payments into one.
• All fees are nonrefundable, except for overpayments from mistakes of law or fact.
• We will charge a late fee, as required by statute and rules.

• The retail fireworks permit fee includes an additional $10 fee for the Fireworks Safety and Education Program, as required by the 76th Legislature.
• Send one payment to cover all fees. Combine multiple fee payments into one.
• All fees are nonrefundable, except for overpayments from mistakes of law or fact.