Licensing
This is meant to guide you through the process of obtaining the neccessary permits and licensing for high power experimental rocketry.
The pyrotechnic operators license was set up by the California State Fire Marshal's Office (CSFM) in the early 1970s.  It was recognized that there were three major fire sources: fireworks, rockets, and special
effects for the movies.  CSFM thought it would be a good idea to license the people doing these activities to help prevent major fires and loss of property.  The licensing includes the following:

a. Perform a background check on the the applicant to make sure he/she is not a criminal.

b. Get five people, who have been licensed for at least a year at that level or higher, to write reference letters to vouch for the applicant's character and ability to follow the rules.

c. Have the applicant take a test to see that they understand the law and safety aspects of handling pyrotechnics.  There are threee tests that were created by local amateur rocketry people for CSFM.

There are three rocket licenses:

Rockets 3rd Class --  Allows you to launch rockets containing commercially produced solid and hybrid rocket motors.

Rockets 2nd Class -- Allows you to make and launch your own solid rocket motor and launch commercially produced solid and hybrid rocket motors.  You can only launch your own solid rocket motor on the site where it was produced.

Rockets 1st Class -- Allows you to make solid rocket motors; launch solid, hybrid, and liquid rockets that you have made; and launch commercially produced solid and hybrid rocket motors.

So far CSFM wants each person to go in the following order: 3rd Class, 2nd Class, and then 1st Class.  You have to spend a minimum of one-year in each Class.


The FAR pyrotechnics operator class does the following:

a.  Gets the applicant experience launching rockets or making solid motors.  The applicant gets a log book for wrting down his launches and test firings and each entry is signed by the attending pyro-op.

b.  Allows myself and other pyro-ops to pass on safety and test information to the applicant.  In some cases the test information is hard to find.

c.  Gets the applicant in front of a pyro-op, so he/she can get to know the applicant such that pyro-op can write them a reference letter.

d.  Supply more than one pyro-op so the applicant can get more than one reference letter.

e.  Give the applicant a safe and legal place to launch, make, and test rockets.  This includes the location to launch, fire permits, and FAA waviers.

f.  Supply the BATF manufacturing permit and explosives storage.

g.  Supply equipment and materials such as: rocket launcher(s), ignition system, igniters, rocket motors, rocket bodies, chemicals, propellant mixers, and motor casings.

h.  Try to supply all of these things at a reasonable cost. We are a nonprofit.


For the complete manual on California's Fireworks Laws click here.


Additional Permits and Licenses:

In addition to the California License, you also have to abide by Federal Explosive Laws.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) regulates these laws.  In order to store and manufacture explosives in the United States, you must obtain either a Low Explosive Manufacturing Permit (LEMP), or a High Explosives Manufacturing Permit (HEMP).  Only a LEMP is required for the storage and manufacture of rocket engines.  Each person that is going to supervise the handling of these explosives must fill out an Employee Possessor Questionaire, which will be sent to the BATFE for a thorough background check.  Those who are not considered "Employee Possessors" must be under the direct supervision of someone who is.

Each time you launch, you must be given clearance by the FAA.  You are usually given a "celing" limiting your maximum altitude.  This altitude can vary depending on the day, and your firing location.


Friends of Amateur Rocketry