U.S. state and local laser laws and regulations (2024)

The following is from the Event Planning Guide for the Orange County Convention Center, page 105 (2019 edition)

Special Effects – Lasers
The use of lasers for lighting and theatrical effects is permitted on OCCC premises, with prior approval from the Fire Marshal, provided Lessee or exhibitor adheres to the following conditions:

• Lasers must comply with Florida Administrative Code Chapter 64E-4 Control of Nonionizing Radiation Hazards, NFPA 115 – Standard for Laser Fire Protection, and Florida Department of Health, State Bureau of Radiation regulations.
• A Laser Permit from Orange County Fire Rescue Department is required. In order to apply for this permit, the requestor must provide information about the proposed laser light show that includes classification of the lasers; sketches indicating the location of the lasers, operators, performers, viewers, beam paths, viewing screens, walls, mirror balls and other reflective or diffuse surfaces which may be struck by any and all laser beams, including scanning beam patterns, scanning velocity and frequency in occupied areas.
• For open air shows where a laser beam is projected into the sky, requestor must submit basic beam information of intended laser use and a copy of the notification provided to the Federal Aviation Administration.
• All lasers must be registered with the Florida Department of Health, State Bureau of Radiation. A separate registration is required for each location of intended use. Out-of-state lasers brought into the state for temporary use require notification to the State Bureau of Radiation.
• The Laser Safety Officer must establish and supervise a program of laser radiation safety for compliance with all applicable rules.
• Laser system users and staff must be trained on fire safety features prior to the lasers first use and at least annually thereafter.
• Staff members must be trained in the use of portable fire extinguishers.
• All training must be documented and available for review.
• A fire watch will be required during Show Hours.

Here are the Fire Watch costs (page 97):

The minimum Fire Watch is four (4) hours and the cost is $200.00, (at $50.00 per hour). A Fire Watch schedule can be expanded for additional coverage, per $50.00 for each additional hour or fraction thereof.

All Fire Watch schedules are based on hour increments, to include a 1/2 hour prior to the start of event activity and a 1/2 hour after the conclusion of event activity.

• 4 hours $200
• 5 hours $250
• 6 hours $300
• 7 hours $350
• 8 hours $400
• 9 hours $450
• 10 hours $500
• 11 hours $550
• 12 hours $600
• 13 hours $650
• Rates are subject to change without notice

INFORMATION AS OF MAY 5 2023

A bill in the Illinois General Assembly, HB1132, has passed the House and just yesterday passed the Senate. This means it will next go to the Governor for signing.

The bill amends the Illinois Part 315 Standards for Protection Against Laser Radiation. Here is a quick summary:

• The bill requires a Laser Safety Officer to be present at the setup, rehearsal and performance of any temporary laser display.

• Further, this LSO "shall act independently" of the laser display operator. I am not sure if this means just that there are two separate people, or that the LSO must also be hired independently (e.g., not be an employee of the laser display company).

• The bill requires the laser display operator to have a minimum of $1,000,000 in general liability insurance to cover both the display itself and the LSO.

• Other requirements include registration of the temporary laser display operator with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. There is a fee for this (the Agency will set the exact amount).

• The IEMA must be notified at least 10 days prior to each display. The Agency will either approve or reject the display.

• The state can file an injunction against violating displays. Violating the law is a Class B misdemeanor offense which has a maximum fine of $1,500. Each day of violation is a separate offense.

The full text of the bill is here. In the full text, the new language is underlined which makes it easier to see what has been added or changed.

The voting progress and status of the bill is here.

Below are selected sections of the bill. Language that is especially interesting or important is in blue.

(Thanks to Michael Kondrat for notifying ILDA of this bill.)

OLDER INFORMATION (BEFORE MAY 5 2023)

Class 3B and Class 4 lasers must be registered. The fee is $50 per year, per facility. (If a company has multiple lasers at a single facility, the fee is $50. But if a company has lasers, say, in Chicago, Springfield and Peoria, each facility would register and each would pay $50.)

Additional requirements are in the Illinois Part 315 Standards for Protection Against Laser Radiation.

Traveling laser shows coming into the state are required to register their Class 3B and 4 lasers, and are also required to give written notice at least 10 working days before the laser is to be used in the state. For details see section 315.80 of the Part 315 regulations.

A webpage with Illinois state links is here. (Information from Dani Sawtell, Pyrotecnico, August 2017 and from a conversation with Illinois regulator Don Agnew, August 2017.)

Operator: New York State equires registration of the laser operator. The New York State Department of Labor runs the program. Some information is in the New York State Instructions for Completing the Laser Operator Application. There is additional information on the Internet about the laser operator's license.
Often, out-of-state laser show companies will hire a person with a valid New York State mobile laser operator's license to supervise/babysit their in-state shows.

As of mid-2020, a person who wants a Class A (low-intensity mobile laser) or Class B (any intensity mobile laser) New York state mobile laser operator's license must meet these three qualifications:

1. Have 1 year experience OR completed an acceptable laser training course, and
2. Be at least 18 years of age, and
3. Pass a written exam to become certified OR have an approved 4-year degree that includes laser use and safety training

The New York State written exam covers many laser types and uses, including non-visible lasers, and those used in surveying and industry. There are few, if any, questions specific to laser lightshow usage. Because of this, laser lightshow operators will need to take a laser training and safety course specifically to prepare for the New York State written exam. ILDA's Laser Safety Officer for Laser Lightshows course does NOT cover non-lightshow use and safety and thus would be of little help in preparing for the New York State written exam.

Equipment: $600 per laser for a 3-year registration. The state must be notified of shows. (Information from Jon Robertson, DayStar Lasers International, and Jim Martin, Peachtree Laser, October 2010)

Albany County NY requires an additional application for the use of mobile lasers on top of the stage registration, licensed LSO, etc. No cost is associated with it; just the paperwork. Two documents can be downloaded below. (Information from Dani Sawtell, Pyrotecnico, August 2017.)

• Albany County mobile laser requirements - general information
• Albany County mobile laser operating permit application

Registration, including payment of biennial registration fees, is required for Class 3B and 4 lasers. Registration Certificates are issued for 10 years.

The Texas Department of State Health Services laser radiation control program home page is here. Registration requirements are here which includes Form RC 42-L, "Laser Safety Officer (LSO) Information"

DSHS requires notification of laser light shows at least seven days in advance, using the information on the form here.

Update, October 2022

Texas requires registration of the business that will be performing the laser light show. This is a requirement of Texas Form RC 226-01, the Business Information Form of the Texas Department of State Health Services Radiation Machine Source Unit.

For companies outside of Texas, this requires first filing Texas Form 502, application for Registration of a Foreign For-Profit Corporation. Note that "foreign" refers to any entity outside of the state of Texas. Once this has been acknowledged by the state, then the company would have to file Texas Form 301-02 and Texas Form RC 42-L. Submit with fees as given at Texas Registration Information.

Companies outside of Texas may prefer to partner with a Texas-based laser show company that can do all or some of the show, so it qualifies as an in-state show not requiring the reporting hassles and fees.