ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• North Carolina Law Prohibits any “On-Site” certified personnel from handling pyrotechnic materials. All Pyrotechnic businesses desiring to have assistants handle pyrotechnics should contact the Rob Roegner at rob.roegner@ncdoi.net or Natalie Pollard natalie.pollard@ncdoi.net at the Office of State Fire Marshal as soon as possible. An approved application and fee of 30 dollars will be required prior to being allowed to test, and a testing fee of 10 dollars will be required each time the test is taken. For out of state operator license holders, all valid out of state Pyrotechnic and/or Proximate license holders will automatically qualify for a North Carolina Operator’s Assistant License without examination. An Assistant’s application and all of the supporting documentation, as well as a $30 application fee will be required prior to the issuance of an Assistant’s License.

• Beginner Pyrotechnicians
  Inexperienced individuals seeking to become part of the pyrotechnic industry must first begin at the Assistant level. Similar to other professional training programs, entering the industry as an assistant provides an environment for the assistant to learn about pyrotechnics and assures a level of competency prior to moving to the operator level. The only way to become a North Carolina Licensed Operator is to have documented experience on a minimum of three shoots acting as the lead Pyrotechnic operator. Documentation is acceptable in several forms.

  1. Copies of three pyrotechnic permits issued by the county in which the show occurred. The permits must list the applicant as the operator.
  2. A signed and notarized affidavit from the ATF license holder under which you worked for a minimum of three shows as lead operator.

  Additional paperwork including an application and reference letter are required to qualify to take the pyrotechnic exam.

  Individuals pursuing licensure in outdoor pyrotechnics that do not have an ATF license or letter of clearance can only apply for a 1.4g pyrotechnic license. All 1.3g pyrotechnic certifications require an ATF license or letter of clearance to be in possession of any 1.3g explosive. Possession of a 1.3g explosive by anyone without an ATF license or letter of clearance is guilty of a federal felony.

• All State Owned Properties Require An Event Permit Issued By The Office Of State Fire Marshal
  The North Carolina General Assembly amended the General Statutes to include a new requirement for a state display operator’s license (NCGS 14-410), effective February 1, 2010. Previous fireworks displays have been permitted only through the county commissioners or city council depending upon the agreement between the entities. Buildings owned by the University of North Carolina and located in Orange County are exempt from NCGS 14-413, which only requires the permission from the county commissioners or city council. NCGS 14-413 remains in effect and has not changed as a result of the revised legislation. The revisions to NCGS 14-410 do not exempt any state agency or properties from compliance with the pyrotechnic operator law. As a result all state agencies hosting any type of pyrotechnic display (indoor or outdoor) are required to have a licensed operator and licensed or certified assistants. In addition, all state agencies hosting a pyrotechnic event must apply for a pyrotechnic event permit through the Office of State Fire Marshal. Regardless of who sponsors the event, an event permit must have been obtained for any event to occur on state property.

• NC Operator’s Assistant Permit without examination All valid out of state Pyrotechnic and/or Proximate license holders will automatically qualify for a North Carolina Operator’s Assistant Permit without examination. An Assistant’s application and all of the supporting documentation, as well as a $30 application fee will be required prior to the issuance of an Assistant’s Permit.