TFM 11 STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Texas Fire Alarm Statutes & Rules
Regulatory Review | SFMO Compliance
100 Questions with Detailed Rationales & Code References
Graded A+ | Complete Regulatory Review
SECTION 1: TEXAS OCCUPATIONS CODE CHAPTER 2154 — FIRE ALARM LICENSING (Qns 1-18)
Q1: Under Texas Occupations Code §2154.003, which of the following individuals is exempt from the
requirement to hold a fire alarm license?
A. An electrician installing a 120-volt power circuit for a fire alarm control panel.
B. [CORRECT] A property owner installing a fire alarm system on their own single -family home
for their own use.
C. A maintenance employee replacing a smoke detector in a commercial hotel.
D. A low-voltage technician installing security cameras in a school.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §2154.003 exempts a property owner performing work on their own
property for their own use. Electricians (A) are exempt for wiring up to the panel but cannot install the
fire alarm system itself. Maintenance employees (C) performing regulated work on commercial property
require the employing company to be licensed.**
EXAM TIP: The exemption applies to the property owner on their own property. It does not extend to
employees or contractors hired by the owner.
Q2: According to Texas Occupations Code §2154.107, a Type A Fire Alarm Contractor license authorizes
the holder to:
A. Install fire alarm systems in one- and two-family dwellings only.
B. [CORRECT] Design, install, service, and maintain commercial fire alarm systems of any size or
complexity.
C. Monitor fire alarm systems from a central station.
,D. Install and service fire suppression systems.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type A is the "full scope" commercial license. It covers design (certification by a qualified
person), installation, and service. Type C covers residential. Type D covers monitoring. Fire suppression
requires a separate license (Sprinkler or Special Hazards).**
Q3: A Fire Alarm Contractor license in Texas is valid for a period of:
A. One year.
B. [CORRECT] Two years.
C. Three years.
D. Four years.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Licenses issued under Chapter 2154 are valid for two years, subject to renewal requirements
including Continuing Education.**
Q4: Under TOC §2154.201, engaging in the business of fire alarm contracting without a license is a:
A. Class C Misdemeanor.
B. Class B Misdemeanor.
C. [CORRECT] Class A Misdemeanor.
D. Civil Infraction.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Violation of Chapter 2154 is a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a penalty of up to $4,000 fine
and/or one year in jail.**
Q5: (Select-All-That-Apply) Which activities constitute "Fire Alarm Contracting" under Texas law?
Select all that apply.
A. [CORRECT] Installing a fire alarm control panel.
B. [CORRECT] Testing and inspecting an existing commercial fire alarm system.
C. [CORRECT] Designing a fire alarm system layout.
,D. Installing a standard burglar alarm system.
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Rationale: Fire alarm contracting involves installing, maintaining, testing, and designing fire detection
and signaling systems. Burglar alarms (D) fall under private security licensing, not fire alarm licensing.**
Q6: To qualify for a Type A Fire Alarm Contractor license, an applicant must demonstrate:
A. A Master Electrician license.
B. [CORRECT] At least 3 years of experience in the fire alarm industry.
C. A Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
D. Certification by a local fire marshal.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per TOC 2154, an applicant typically needs 3 years of relevant practical experience in the
trade or qualification as a Professional Engineer.**
Q7: A "Type F" license refers to a:
A. License for monitoring stations.
B. [CORRECT] Certified license (Grandfathered).
C. License for residential systems.
D. Temporary license.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type F licenses were issued to individuals who met experience requirements before the
mandatory examination process was fully implemented. They have the same scope as the exam -licensed
equivalent (usually Type A).**
Q8: "Reciprocity" allows Texas to issue a license to an applicant from another state if:
A. The applicant pays double the fee.
B. [CORRECT] The other state's licensing requirements are substantially similar to Texas.
C. The applicant is from a bordering state.
, D. The applicant signs a waiver.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas law allows for license by endorsement (reciprocity) if the standards of the originating
state are comparable.**
Q9: (Scenario) A company holds a Type C Fire Alarm Contractor license. They are hired to install a fire
alarm system in a 5-story office building. Is this permissible?
A. Yes, Type C covers all commercial buildings.
B. [CORRECT] No, Type C is restricted to residential (household) fire alarm systems.
C. Yes, if they hire a Type A consultant.
D. No, Type C is for fire suppression.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type C is restricted to residential occupancies defined by NFPA 72 (Household Fire Alarm
Systems). A 5-story office building requires a Type A or Type B license.**
Q10: A Type D Fire Alarm Contractor license authorizes:
A. Installation of commercial systems.
B. Installation of residential systems.
C. [CORRECT] Monitoring of fire alarm systems.
D. Inspection of systems only.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Type D is specifically for firms engaged in monitoring fire alarm signals (Central Station,
Remote Station).**
Q11: (True/False) A licensed Fire Alarm Contractor can allow an unregistered employee to perform fire
alarm installations under the contractor's supervision.
A. True.
B. [CORRECT] False.
Texas Fire Alarm Statutes & Rules
Regulatory Review | SFMO Compliance
100 Questions with Detailed Rationales & Code References
Graded A+ | Complete Regulatory Review
SECTION 1: TEXAS OCCUPATIONS CODE CHAPTER 2154 — FIRE ALARM LICENSING (Qns 1-18)
Q1: Under Texas Occupations Code §2154.003, which of the following individuals is exempt from the
requirement to hold a fire alarm license?
A. An electrician installing a 120-volt power circuit for a fire alarm control panel.
B. [CORRECT] A property owner installing a fire alarm system on their own single -family home
for their own use.
C. A maintenance employee replacing a smoke detector in a commercial hotel.
D. A low-voltage technician installing security cameras in a school.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §2154.003 exempts a property owner performing work on their own
property for their own use. Electricians (A) are exempt for wiring up to the panel but cannot install the
fire alarm system itself. Maintenance employees (C) performing regulated work on commercial property
require the employing company to be licensed.**
EXAM TIP: The exemption applies to the property owner on their own property. It does not extend to
employees or contractors hired by the owner.
Q2: According to Texas Occupations Code §2154.107, a Type A Fire Alarm Contractor license authorizes
the holder to:
A. Install fire alarm systems in one- and two-family dwellings only.
B. [CORRECT] Design, install, service, and maintain commercial fire alarm systems of any size or
complexity.
C. Monitor fire alarm systems from a central station.
,D. Install and service fire suppression systems.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type A is the "full scope" commercial license. It covers design (certification by a qualified
person), installation, and service. Type C covers residential. Type D covers monitoring. Fire suppression
requires a separate license (Sprinkler or Special Hazards).**
Q3: A Fire Alarm Contractor license in Texas is valid for a period of:
A. One year.
B. [CORRECT] Two years.
C. Three years.
D. Four years.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Licenses issued under Chapter 2154 are valid for two years, subject to renewal requirements
including Continuing Education.**
Q4: Under TOC §2154.201, engaging in the business of fire alarm contracting without a license is a:
A. Class C Misdemeanor.
B. Class B Misdemeanor.
C. [CORRECT] Class A Misdemeanor.
D. Civil Infraction.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Violation of Chapter 2154 is a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a penalty of up to $4,000 fine
and/or one year in jail.**
Q5: (Select-All-That-Apply) Which activities constitute "Fire Alarm Contracting" under Texas law?
Select all that apply.
A. [CORRECT] Installing a fire alarm control panel.
B. [CORRECT] Testing and inspecting an existing commercial fire alarm system.
C. [CORRECT] Designing a fire alarm system layout.
,D. Installing a standard burglar alarm system.
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Rationale: Fire alarm contracting involves installing, maintaining, testing, and designing fire detection
and signaling systems. Burglar alarms (D) fall under private security licensing, not fire alarm licensing.**
Q6: To qualify for a Type A Fire Alarm Contractor license, an applicant must demonstrate:
A. A Master Electrician license.
B. [CORRECT] At least 3 years of experience in the fire alarm industry.
C. A Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
D. Certification by a local fire marshal.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per TOC 2154, an applicant typically needs 3 years of relevant practical experience in the
trade or qualification as a Professional Engineer.**
Q7: A "Type F" license refers to a:
A. License for monitoring stations.
B. [CORRECT] Certified license (Grandfathered).
C. License for residential systems.
D. Temporary license.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type F licenses were issued to individuals who met experience requirements before the
mandatory examination process was fully implemented. They have the same scope as the exam -licensed
equivalent (usually Type A).**
Q8: "Reciprocity" allows Texas to issue a license to an applicant from another state if:
A. The applicant pays double the fee.
B. [CORRECT] The other state's licensing requirements are substantially similar to Texas.
C. The applicant is from a bordering state.
, D. The applicant signs a waiver.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas law allows for license by endorsement (reciprocity) if the standards of the originating
state are comparable.**
Q9: (Scenario) A company holds a Type C Fire Alarm Contractor license. They are hired to install a fire
alarm system in a 5-story office building. Is this permissible?
A. Yes, Type C covers all commercial buildings.
B. [CORRECT] No, Type C is restricted to residential (household) fire alarm systems.
C. Yes, if they hire a Type A consultant.
D. No, Type C is for fire suppression.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type C is restricted to residential occupancies defined by NFPA 72 (Household Fire Alarm
Systems). A 5-story office building requires a Type A or Type B license.**
Q10: A Type D Fire Alarm Contractor license authorizes:
A. Installation of commercial systems.
B. Installation of residential systems.
C. [CORRECT] Monitoring of fire alarm systems.
D. Inspection of systems only.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Type D is specifically for firms engaged in monitoring fire alarm signals (Central Station,
Remote Station).**
Q11: (True/False) A licensed Fire Alarm Contractor can allow an unregistered employee to perform fire
alarm installations under the contractor's supervision.
A. True.
B. [CORRECT] False.
