The mandatory 81-hour course can cost around $2,000. For $79, study the same material covered in that 81-hour course - from your phone, your computer, or any device - on your own schedule, before the course starts, during it, or right before exam day.
Becoming a licensed security and fire alarm installer in New York takes real time and money. Starting unprepared makes every part of it harder.
The mandatory course typically costs $1,500–$2,500, plus exam and license fees. That’s a lot to spend before you know what you’re getting into.
NEC articles, NFPA 72, Ohm’s Law, detector spacing, transmission formats — unfamiliar technical language hits fast in week one.
Most students enroll without ever seeing the topics, the question style, or the depth of material they’ll be tested on.
Each module ends in a graded test, and the state exam requires 70% to pass. Falling behind early is stressful and hard to recover from.
NYS Alarm Prep is an independent study and practice platform for the New York State Security & Fire Alarm Installer licensing process. It includes module-based study guides, alarm installer practice tests with answer explanations, and a final exam question bank — organized around the same five modules covered in the required 81-hour course. It is built for people who want to prepare before the course starts, reinforce the material during the course, and practice before test day. It is a preparation tool, not a replacement for the required training.
NYS Alarm Prep is built to help candidates study and practice. It does not issue a license, replace the required 81-hour course, or guarantee a passing score.
Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the NYS Department of State or any specific course provider.
Full access is $79/month. Cancel anytime; digital access payments are final once the subscription begins.
Questions about billing, access, or content can be sent to office.nyalarmprep@gmail.com.
Most prep tools only matter the week before the exam. NYS Alarm Prep is built to be useful before, during, and after the required course.
The required course can cost around $2,000. For a fraction of that, go in prepared — and get full value from the bigger investment.
Free Module 1 preview available — no payment required to start
Create a free account and see exactly how the platform works — no payment details required.
Walk into the 81-hour course already knowing the terminology, the codes, and the core concepts — instead of hearing them for the first time in class.
Five module-based question banks mirror the structure of the official course, so you can drill exactly what each stage covers.
See the topics, the question style, and the depth of material before you invest thousands — and decide if this career path is right for you.
Timed, exam-style practice reduces test anxiety. The format feels familiar before it ever counts.
Every practice question comes with a detailed explanation, so you understand why an answer is right — not just which one.
Results break down your weak topics and link you straight back to the study section that covers them.
Available 24/7 on any device. Review during the course, between classes, or on the job.
$79 is a fraction of the roughly $2,000 the mandatory course can cost. Preparation helps you get full value from that investment.
The New York State Security & Fire Alarm Installer license has specific requirements. Here's the full path.
Mirrors the structure of the official course. Study the guide, take the practice test, review your mistakes.
Covers industry standards, electrical codes, basic electronics, wiring rules, cable types, and circuit fundamentals required for alarm installation
Covers alarm control panels, zone supervision, EOLR, backup power, telephone line voltages, and alarm transmission technologies
Covers security detection technologies, access control, CCTV, NYS license requirements, and false alarm prevention standards
Covers fire science, NFPA 72 fire alarm standards, smoke and heat detector types and placement, notification appliances, and fire alarm system supervision
Covers tools, test equipment, testing procedures, maintenance schedules, RJ-31X wiring, digital communicators, and NEC requirements for alarm system servicing
A comprehensive mixed exam drawing from all 5 modules. Questions are scenario-based and reflect the depth and style of the NYS license exam
A few quick answers — see the full FAQ for more.
Dig into the licensing process, the course, and what's included.
In-depth guides to help you understand the NYS licensing process and study more effectively.
A practical study guide for the NYS Security & Fire Alarm Installer licensing exam — how the test is structured, common mistakes, and a realistic study plan.
Read Article →Licensing LawA plain-English overview of Article 6-D of NYS General Business Law — who needs a license, what the exam covers, and where to find current fees and deadlines.
Read Article →Course PrepWhat the mandatory 81-hour NYS alarm installer course covers, where it leaves gaps for the exam, and how to prepare before and during it.
Read Article →Quick ReferenceA quick-reference list of the topic areas that come up repeatedly on the NYS alarm installer exam, from Ohm’s Law to wiring classifications.
Read Article →LicensingA practical overview of New York Security and Fire Alarm Installer license requirements, including the 81-hour course, exam, background check, and application steps.
Read Article →Course PrepWhat the New York Security and Fire Alarm Installer course covers, how the five modules are organized, and how to prepare before class begins.
Read Article →Fire AlarmStudy guide for fire alarm topics on the NYS Security and Fire Alarm Installer exam, including NFPA 72 concepts, detectors, notification, wiring, and testing.
Read Article →Practice TestsHow to use security and fire alarm installer practice questions to prepare for module tests and the NYS licensing exam.
Read Article →Exam TopicsA module-by-module overview of NYS alarm installer exam topics, from licensing law and electronics to fire alarm systems and maintenance.
Read Article →LicensingUnderstand how fire alarm and security alarm topics fit into the New York Security and Fire Alarm Installer licensing process.
Read Article →Study StrategyA practical study strategy for the NYS alarm installer exam, including module sequencing, active recall, timed practice, and weak-topic review.
Read Article →Study GuideA study guide for the NYS Security and Fire Alarm Installer exam, covering the five modules, practice strategy, and what to review first.
Read Article →