Lightning Protection Institute

Establishing the highest standards and guidelines for the design, installation, and inspection of lightning protection systems.

Master Installer

Master Installer Series

This series of tests consists of two exams to reach the level of Journeyman Installer (JI); two additional exams to reach Master Installer certification (MI); and one additional exam to become certified as a Master Installer/Designer (MID). The exams have a 2 hour time limit with the exception of Master Installer 1 and Master Installer 2 and Master Installer/Designer. For those exams, there is a 2 ½ hour time limit.

Exams are given once yearly at our spring Annual Conference. However, an applicant wanting to sit for the exam at alternate times or sites may arrange for the LPI to work through a proctor. The applicant is responsible for finding a proctor (we suggest contacting a local library or college, who often have persons that proctor tests) and making all arrangements with the proctor. A proctor cannot be employed by the applicant’s business or be related to the applicant. Any charges for proctor services are the responsibility of the applicant, and no billing will be handled by the LPI for these services.

The LPI will mail exam(s) marked for the applicant to the proctor. After the proctor oversees the test taking, (s)he will return the completed exam(s) to the LPI with a notice certifying his/her monitoring of the examination process. The LPI office will score the exam(s) and notify the applicant of the results in writing.

Fees

The fee for each exam is $100 for persons employed by LPI member companies and $200 for non-members, payable prior to the exams being sent to a proctor. *There is a 50% discounted rate on each test if taken at our LPI/ULPA Annual Conference (please mark on your application the Proctor is “Annual Conference” so we can distinguish your application). The exams require 70 percent or more correct for passing. Examinations that are not passed may be retaken at any time by following the above procedures and submitting new payment (it is not free to retest, the fee applies each time you test irregardless of how many attempts have been made). An individual may take all 5 tests in one sitting, however, the tests must be passed sequentially before certification is to be issued.

Each Journeyman Installer, Master Installer and Master Installer/Designer will be billed a $50 re-certification fee due on June 30th of each year. An update test will also be required when lightning protection standards change. (Journeyman Installers whose companies are not members of LPI must pay an additional $450 in annual dues; Master Installers and Master Installer/Designers whose companies are not members of LPI must pay an additional $700 in annual dues.)

Details

Exams are not open book tests. Applicants may use a regular ruler, an Engineering Scale ruler, an Architectural Scale ruler, and a calculator. Cell phones must be turned off.

All tests and materials not used within 60-days of receipt by the proctor must be returned to the LPI office. Applicants must reapply and pay the full fee if the tests are resent. No refunds will be given for tests in any way, whether completed or not completed.

Study Materials

Study materials for the exams are available for sale through the online store. Copies of the NFPA-780 Standard sell for $76.00 each. Copies of the LPI-175 Standard range from $40.00-$55.00 (download or hard copy options available). Hard copy prices include all shipping and handling.

The Journeyman Installer, Master Installer and Master Installer Designer tests include true/false, multiple choice, short answer and/or fill in the blank questions as well as design application problems. More design problems are included with each progressive test. A thorough knowledge of NFPA-780 and LPI-175, including formulas, material sizes and design parameters will be tested along with the ability to apply requirements to paper design drawings.

Registration Options

If you wish to take your exam at the LPI Annual Conference you cannot use an online registration form, please use the paper form below.

Master Installer Series

There are three (3) levels of certifications in the Master Installer Series:  Journeyman Installer (JI), Master Installer (MI), and Master Installer/Designer (MID).  Each certification is obtained by taking an on-line exam proctored by a virtual proctor.  Tests must be requested 2-3 weeks in advance. 

Requirements:

Journeyman Installer (JI):

  • $100 One-Time Registration Fee
  • OSHA 10 Certificate
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Proof of 1000 hours lightning protection work experience in lightning protection industry (2000 hours total if no HS Diploma or GED)

Master Installer (MI):

  • Journeyman Installer (JI) certification PLUS
  • Proof of additional 2000 hours lightning protection work experience in lightning protection industry completed

Master Installer/Designer (MID):

  • Master Installer (MI) certification PLUS
  • Proof of additional 2000 hours lightning protection work experience in lightning protection industry completed

Fees:

  • $100 one-time registration fee (Journeyman Installer only)
  • $200 per test fee for persons employed by LPI member companies and $400 per test fee for non-members
  • $225 per test proctor fee

Each Journeyman Installer, Master Installer and Master Installer/Designer will be billed a $50 re-certification fee due on June 30th of each year. An update test will also be required when lightning protection standards change. (Journeyman Installers whose companies are not members of LPI must pay an additional $450 in annual dues; Master Installers and Master Installer/Designers whose companies are not members of LPI must pay an additional $700 in annual dues.)

Study Materials

The Journeyman Installer, Master Installer and Master Installer Designer tests are all multiple-choice questions. A thorough knowledge of NFPA-780 and LPI-175, including formulas, material sizes and design parameters will be tested along with the ability to apply requirements to design drawings.  Study materials for the exams are available for sale through the online store.

Testing Process

Tests can be taken in any location and at any time of the day.  You must have a computer with a camera and microphone to be able to take the test.  (For a full list of system requirements, click here: System Requirements.)  The virtual proctor will have you point the camera around the room to ensure that there are no other people in the room, no standards or other material are present, and all other testing requirements are met.  Please click on the links for the LPI Exam Scheduling Manual and LPI Exam Day Manual.  Tests are not open book tests. Applicants may use a calculator and scratch paper. Cell phones must be turned off.  Once testing requirements have been verified and the candidate has been set up to take the test, an email will be sent with the login credentials to schedule the exam.  Tests can be scheduled 24/7 with a minimum of seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the preferred day and time.  The candidate can log back in and reschedule the exam at any time prior to the testing date.  In the event a candidate does not attend the exam as scheduled, or otherwise fails to reschedule or advise the LPI of their need to reschedule the exam in advance of the registered time, you will be charged in full.

Registration 

Candidates will need to complete the test registration form.  An affidavit for proof of hours worked needs to be completed by the owner or officer of the company.
NOTE: if the candidate does not work for an LPI member company, a list of projects worked on equaling the hours required must also be submitted.
Since test results will be given at the completion of the test, payment must be completed prior to scheduling the exam.  An email with a link for payment will be sent to the applicant once confirmed that all requirements have been met.

If you wish to take your exam at the LPI Annual Conference, please indicate that on your registration form.  Proctor fees will be waived and exam prices will be 50%.

Special Note 

If you passed the first Journeyman Installer or Master Installer test but have not yet passed the second test, please contact our office to see if you are eligible to take the second exam.

Sample Questions

  1. Connections of roof cable conductor to structural steel used as downleads must be made by connectors
    with a minimum of 3 square inches of contact area.
  2. Only 1 air terminal must be mounted to a chimney if located within 24 inches of all outside corners.
  3. In no case, shall 2 downleads be spaced closer together than 100 feet.
  4. Any properly grounded structural steel framing member (beam or column), which is 1/4″ thick, would qualify as a substitute for a main cable conductor.
  5. All metal guy wires for protected chimneys or vents must be connected to the lightning protection system at their top and bottom.