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    Title: Fireworks Operator (Public Display) Certification
    Alternate Title:
    Description: Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) - State Fire Marshal
    Subject: Fireworks
    Creation Date: 9/11/2008 2:13:12 PM
    Modification Date: 11/18/2024 4:29:21 PM
    Agency Name: Public Safety (DPS), Minnesota Department of
    Agency URL: https://dps.mn.gov
    Agency Description: The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), Emergency Communication Networks, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Office of Justice Programs, State Fire Marshal, Pipeline Safety, State Highway Patrol, Capitol Security and Traffic Safety.
    Agency Phone: 651-201-7000
    Agency Fax: Agency URL: https://dps.mn.gov
    Agency Address: Public Safety (DPS), Minnesota Dept. of
    445 Minnesota Street

    St. Paul
    MN
    55101
    Division Name: State Fire Marshal
    Division URL: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/sfm/Pages/default.aspx
    Division Description:
    Division Phone: 651-201-7200
    651-282-6555
    Division Fax: 651-215-0525
    Division URL: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/sfm/Pages/default.aspx
    Division Address:
    445 Minnesota Street, Suite 145

    St. Paul
    MN 55101-5145

    Unit Name: Fireworks / Explosives
    Unit URL:
    Unit Description:
    Unit Phone: Unit Fax: Contact person(s): fire.marshal.fireworks.explosives.dps@state.mn.us
    Unit URL:
    Audience: Hold Application URL: https://form.jotform.com/242765653245058
    Renewal URL: https://form.jotform.com/242765441596062
    Versa URL:
    Requirements:

    Review:

    Fireworks

    Fireworks licensing and permitting
    The State Fire Marshal is responsible for fireworks licensing and permitting in Minnesota. 

    The information below is for fireworks operators as well as city and county officials. 

    The sale, possession and use of certain non-explosive and non-aerial consumer fireworks is permitted in Minnesota.

    For Operators
    All fireworks displays must have a supervising operator conducting the display. The operator may have assistants, but they must be at least 18 years old. Operators must be at least 21 years of age.

    To be certified:

    Step 1: Pass the State of Minnesota fireworks operators’ examination

    Step 2: Provide evidence of experience Complete this application.

    Step 3: Pay a $100 certification fee      Card issuance will be delayed by 10 days if paying with personal check.

    More details on how to get certified

    Read these guidelines on fireworks display safety. Operators are required to comply with these guidelines and must submit a report to us regarding fireworks displays that are conducted. The guidelines, applications and report forms may be viewed and printed from this site or are available at our offices in St. Paul at 445 Minnesota St., Suite 145. 

    Complete your fireworks operator certification exam

    Exams are conducted in the BCA offices in St. Paul at 445 Minnesota St. once this application is completed.

    What to do I do after passing the certification exam

    Do not complete the certification application or submit any fees to us until you have successfully passed the certification exam.​

    Reports you must submit to BCA

    You are required as fireworks display operator to report displays to us within 30 days of the display. Click here to fill out the form. The form includes instructions on how to return it by mail or online. ​

    Fireworks operator certification renewal requirements ​

    Steps to renew your fireworks display operator permit: 

    • Apply for renewal of certification in advance of the expiration date of the certification. 
    • Submit evidence of experience that must include, as a minimum, the dates, locations, and authorities issuing the permits for at least three safely conducted fireworks displays within the last four years. ​
    • Pay the $100 renewal fee. 

    For applicants requesting certification renewal that have acted only as assistants, evidence of experience will be verified by cross-referencing display reports filed by the fireworks operator of record for each display the applicant has claimed on their renewal form to have been an assistant. These applicants must provide the name or certification number of the operator of record for each display that the applicant was listed as an assistant.

    Other resources and helpful information

    View the application for a permit to display indoor fireworks or pyrotechnic special effects. 

    Once an application for a permit has been approved, we will inspect the facility to determine its suitability for the conduct of an indoor pyrotechnics display. Check out these inspection guidelines.  

    The American Pyrotechnics Association has developed a Proximate Pyrotechnics Checklist for use by pyro technicians when planning for and conducting a proximate audience display.  You may use it as guidance. 


    Rules:
    Statutes: 624.22

    Forms:

    Firework operator initial application

    Fireworks operator renewal application

    Fireworks operator display report

    Public Fireworks Display Permit Application


    Fees:

    Certification fee - $100

    Renewal fee - $100


    Period of Issuance:

    4 Years.


    Length of Determination: Up to 30 days following test.
    Other Info:
    Activity: Fireworks
    License Detail URL:

    Fireworks

    Search a list currently certified Minnesota fireworks operators

    MN Dept. of Public Safety (DPS)   MN State Fire Marshal

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