The answer to this is a yes and no answer. As per NFPA-72 2002 Edition (currently adopted by the State of NJ) as per section 4.3.3, new installations shall be supervised by persons who are qualified and experienced in installations. example qualifications are:

A. Factory trained and certified personnel

B. NICET Level II certified personnel

C. Personnel licensed or certified by a State or Local Authority

As per NFPA-72 2002 Edition (currently adopted by the State of NJ) as per section 10.2.2.5, service personnel shall be qualified and experienced in the inspection, testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems. Example qualifications are:

A. Factory trained and certified personnel

B. NICET Level II certified personnel

C. International Municipal Signal Association fire alarm certified

D. Personnel licensed or certified by a State or Local Authority

E. Trained and qualified personnel employed by an organization listed by a national testing laboratory for the servicing of fire alarm systems

So what's the answer, not as simple as you may have thought. It clearly states for installs, a qualified person shall supervise the project. Meaning a NICET Level II certified individual, or a "FA" license holder through the Department of Consumer Affairs, or a "P" license holder through the Department of Community Affairs. The "FA" license holder through the Department of Consumer Affairs, or a "P" license holder through the Department of Community Affairs would fall under the personnel licensed or certified by a state or local authority.

However, for servicing, inspection and testing it states service personnel shall be qualified and experienced in the inspection, testing and maintenance. It does not say that a qualified person shall supervise the inspection, test or maintenance. This would indicate that individuals would need to be qualified by one of the agencies listed.