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NICET Special Hazards Systems 2026 update: allowed NFPA references and a Level II mismatch

Alarm Ladder editorial teamUpdated 4 min read

NICET says its Special Hazards Systems (SHS) exams for Levels I, II, III and IV were updated and available from 2 November 2026. Alarm Ladder has no SHS course or practice bank, and its fire alarm products are not SHS preparation. This page is informational only. The facts below come from NICET's public pages and PDFs as retrieved on 5 November 2026, and each is paraphrased from those sources.

Unresolved for Level II. On 5 November 2026 NICET's central allowed-reference page lists NFPA 25 (2020) for SHS Level II, while the Level II reference PDF it links lists NFPA 70 (2020) in that place. We do not know which one governs and do not assume both are allowed. Confirm your exact level and testing date with NICET before you rely on either list.

What changed and what did not

NICET's SHS program page says all four SHS levels are updated and available as of 2 November 2026. The October 2026 newsletter announced the date in advance. It also describes a separate Fire Alarm Systems (FAS) update expected in 2027, so this SHS update is not a change to FAS or to Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm.

SHS is the track for special hazards suppression systems. It is a separate certification program from FAS and from Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm.

How references work

The program page says NFPA references are available onscreen as view-only PDFs. Which physical books you may bring depends on the allowed-reference list for your level. The page also mentions new NICET practice tests. The program notice we checked does not mention onscreen search or other tools, so do not count on any.

NICET's central allowed-reference page says questions are based on the listed editions and that NFPA handbooks are not substitutes. It also says older or newer editions may be brought at the candidate's own risk, and that binding, tab and note restrictions apply. Listing an edition here is not a promise that it is the only one you may bring. Check the restrictions before test day.

Allowed NFPA documents by level

Numbers are NFPA document numbers and years are publication editions, not levels or effective dates. The level PDFs show the document dates below, and each one carries the heading "Updated Exam Released November 2, 2026".

LevelCentral references pageLinked level PDF
I12 (2022), 70 (2020), 72 (2022), 2001 (2022)PDF dated 23 Jul 2026: same four
II11 (2024), 12 (2022), 25 (2020), 72 (2022), 2001 (2022)PDF dated 23 Jul 2026: 11 (2024), 12 (2022), 70 (2020), 72 (2022), 2001 (2022)
III11 (2024), 12 (2022), 72 (2022), 76 (2024), 2001 (2022)PDF dated 31 Aug 2026: same five
IV11 (2024), 12 (2022), 70 (2020), 2001 (2022)PDF dated 8 Oct 2026: same four

Levels I, III and IV agree between the two sources. Level II is the only mismatch, and the other four Level II documents match.

The Level II discrepancy

The Level II PDF also names NFPA 25 (2023) in a preparation-only section. That is a different edition and a different status from the allowed NFPA 25 (2020) on the central page, so do not read it as settling the question. The PDF's display filename marks it as an unfinished update, and the two source documents we checked include no note explaining the difference. We have not contacted NICET and do not say which source will be corrected, or when.

Until NICET clarifies, treat Level II as unconfirmed. Do not buy or rely on a book for this level on the strength of this page alone.

How to prepare

  1. Confirm your level's allowed references and editions with NICET for your testing date, and Level II candidates should ask about NFPA 25 and NFPA 70 specifically.
  2. Use only the documents on your confirmed list. Handbooks and preparation-only documents are not allowed books.
  3. Study from your own licensed copies. This page does not summarize any code requirements.
  4. Try NICET's new practice tests.
  5. Practise reading PDFs onscreen.
  6. Read the physical-reference restrictions before test day.

If you are preparing for a NICET fire alarm exam rather than SHS, Alarm Ladder does cover those: start with the free Level I check.

What this guide is not

This page is not NICET guidance and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NICET or NFPA. It reports what NICET's public documents said when we read them and gives no exam questions, fees, passing rates or technical code content. Alarm Ladder currently offers preparation only for FAS Levels I to III and Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Level II. Any course links elsewhere on this page are for those exams, not for SHS. For NICET's sprinkler programs, see the water-based certification guide.

Sources

Show the list

NICET pages and PDFs as retrieved on 5 November 2026:

Facts come from the sources listed above. If something has changed, tell us and we will correct it within 2 business days.

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