Extinguisher-service license renews every 3 years
The Maryland extinguisher-service license renews every three (3) years from the date of issuance, and new or expired applicants must take a written exam based on NFPA 10.
Renewals
Kitchen hood and wet-chemical systems license: separate license, 3-year renewal
Kitchen hood, wet-chemical, and other non-water-based extinguishing systems require a separate Maryland license, with work performed to the adopted editions of NFPA 17 and NFPA 17A, also on a three (3) year renewal.
Fire sprinkler contractor licenses expire 2 years after issue
Maryland fire sprinkler contractor licenses expire 2 years after the date issued. Initial application is $300 and renewal is $200, with a $300 late fee if renewal is not submitted on or before expiration.
Cycles
Portable fire extinguishers: inspected monthly, maintenance annually
Under NFPA 10, portable fire extinguishers are inspected on a monthly basis and maintenance is performed annually, with periodic hydrostatic testing on top of that.
Kitchen hood fire-extinguishing systems inspected and serviced every 6 months
Kitchen hood fire-extinguishing systems must be inspected and serviced every six months by a person or company licensed by the Office of State Fire Marshal, with the report kept on premises and the system tagged. The State Fire Marshal's own checklist requires semi-annual maintenance of cooking suppression systems by an approved company, citing NFPA 17A (2021) ยง 8.3.2.
Hood and duct grease inspections: monthly to annually by cooking volume
Hood, plenum, filter, and duct grease inspections run monthly for solid-fuel systems, quarterly for high-volume cooking (24-hour, charbroiling, frying, wok), semi-annually for moderate-volume, and annually for low-volume operations such as churches and seasonal businesses.
Paperwork
Maryland State Fire Prevention Code adopts NFPA 1 (2024 Edition)
Maryland's State Fire Prevention Code, COMAR 29.06.01, incorporates NFPA 1 Fire Code (2024 Edition) by reference, adopted effective June 23, 2025. This adoption chain is what makes the NFPA standards in this trade Maryland law rather than voluntary guidance.
Maryland license required to service portable fire extinguishers commercially
In Maryland, a license must be obtained from the State Fire Marshal's Office by every individual, firm, or corporation commercially servicing, repairing, filling, or refilling portable fire extinguishers (fire departments excepted).
Fire sprinkler contractors must hold a State Fire Marshal license; renewal application due at least 30 days before expiry
Every fire sprinkler contractor who inspects, tests, maintains, installs, repairs, modifies, or lays out a sprinkler system in Maryland must hold a valid State Fire Marshal license of the appropriate class, and the renewal application is due at least 30 days before the license expires.