Licensing & Certification Guide

You need a certificate of authorization to operate an engineering firm.

You or any staff providing engineering services will need an engineer license.

You must have a fire permit to do certain activities at your carnival or circus. You need to apply for the permit(s) and pass an inspection each time you do the activity.

Contact the Local Enforcing Agency (LEA) in the town where your carnival or circus will be to see which fire permits you need to get and how to apply. Your LEA can be your local fire department or the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety.

You must register with the State Division of Fire Safety to own and/or operate a traveling carnival or circus in New Jersey. You must register at least 30 days before your opening day.

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.