AV licenses vs. certifications: what's required and what's proof of skill
A license is permission from a government to do the work. A certification is proof someone learned a body of knowledge. You usually need both, and they're checked differently.
Published November 5, 2026. 2 minute read.
Owners often treat "licensed" and "certified" as the same thing. They aren't, and mixing them up is how unlicensed crews end up pulling cable on public projects.
Licenses: permission to do the work
A license is issued by a state, county or city. It says an entity (and often a named qualifying person) may legally perform a type of work in that jurisdiction. Working without one can mean failed inspections, stop-work orders, unenforceable contracts and insurance problems.
Low-voltage and AV licensing varies widely:
- Some states have a dedicated license. Minnesota is a clear example. Technology circuits, including Class 2 and Class 3 circuits for audio signals, control and signaling, must be installed by employees of a licensed Technology Systems Contractor or electrical contractor. Each Technology Systems Contractor must designate a responsible Power Limited Technician, who needs 36 months of experience or a four-year electrical degree and 16 hours of continuing education every two years.
- Some fold low-voltage work into the electrical license or require a limited electrical license.
- Some don't license low-voltage work at the state level, but cities or counties may.
Because the rules differ by place and by system type (fire alarm and security often have their own licenses), check with the licensing board where the project is, and confirm the license belongs to the entity you're contracting with.
Certifications: proof of knowledge or skill
Certifications are issued by industry associations (AVIXA's CTS family, BICSI) and manufacturers (Crestron, Q-SYS, Extron, Audinate's Dante). They show that a person passed an exam or training on a body of knowledge or a platform. They don't give legal permission to do anything. See AV certifications explained.
Side by side
| License | Certification | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Government | Association or manufacturer |
| Held by | Usually the company, sometimes with a named qualifier | Usually an individual |
| Required? | By law, where it applies | By your contract, if you require it |
| How to check | State or city licensing board lookup | Issuer lookup or digital badge |
| Expires | Yes, with renewal and often continuing education | Usually, with renewal requirements |
What to put in your contract
Require both: the license the jurisdiction requires, held by the contracting entity, and the certifications your project needs, held by named people. Then check both against the source.
On AVCleared, license status is checked against state records and re-checked on a schedule, and certifications are tied to named people. Search verified AV contractors.