California (CA) Alarm Company Qualified Manager Newest
Practice Exam: 2026-2028 Comprehensive BSIS Licensing
Test Questions with Verified Answers | Graded A+ |
INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
COVERAGE BY SECTION
Section Title Questions
1 Licensing Requirements & BSIS Regulations 1–35
2 Alarm Company Operations & Contracts 36–65
3 Qualified Manager Responsibilities 66–95
4 Alarm Agents & Employee Management 96–125
5 False Alarms & Reporting 126–145
6 System Installation & Technical Standards 146–170
7 Ethics, Professional Conduct & Liability 171–190
8 Penalties, Enforcement & Legal Compliance 191–200
Total Questions: 200 | Passing Score (Official Exam): 70% | Governing Authority:
BSIS (Department of Consumer Affairs)
1. Which California law primarily regulates alarm companies and their qualified
managers?
a) California Penal Code, Title 12
b) California Civil Code, Division 3
c) Business and Professions Code, Chapter 11.6 (Alarm Company Act)
d) California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 8
The Alarm Company Act is found in California Business and Professions Code, Division 3,
Chapter 11.6, Sections 7590 through 7599.80. This chapter governs licensing, operations,
and qualified manager requirements for alarm companies in California.
,2. What is the minimum age required to apply for an Alarm Company Qualified
Manager certificate?
a) 18 years old
b) 21 years old
c) 25 years old
d) 30 years old
Business and Professions Code Section 7599(b) requires that applicants for a qualified
manager certificate be at least 18 years of age. This is a minimum statutory requirement for
licensing by BSIS.
3. How many years of compensated alarm company work experience are required to
qualify for the ACQM exam?
a) 1 year (2,000 hours)
b) 2 years (4,000 hours)
c) 3 years (6,000 hours)
d) 4 years (8,000 hours)
Business and Professions Code Section 7599(a) requires applicants to have had at least
two years' experience in alarm company work or the equivalent thereof. A year's experience
consists of not less than 2,000 hours of actual compensated alarm company work.
4. Which agency administers the Alarm Company Qualified Manager examination?
a) California Department of Justice
b) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
c) California Highway Patrol (CHP)
d) PSI Services (contracted by BSIS)
*Exams are given by a state-contracted company known as PSI Services. Once an
applicant meets the minimum requirements and the application is approved, they receive a
letter to contact PSI for scheduling at 13 different locations in California.*
5. What is the initial license validity period for an Alarm Company Qualified Manager
certificate?
a) 1 year
b) 2 years
c) 3 years
d) 5 years
,The initial Qualified Manager license is valid for 2 years. Each renewal cycle extends the
registration for an additional 2 years. Note that Alarm Company Operator (ACO) licenses
are valid for 3 years.
6. Which California Code of Regulations (CCR) division outlines the detailed
responsibilities of a Qualified Manager?
a) Title 16, Division 7 (Security and Investigative Services)
b) Title 8, Division 1 (Industrial Relations)
c) Title 22, Division 4 (Environmental Health)
d) Title 24, Part 2 (Building Standards)
The California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 16, Division 7, Chapter 11.6 provides
detailed regulations defining Qualified Manager responsibilities for compliance and
operational oversight.
7. Which of the following is NOT required for Qualified Manager licensure?
a) Criminal background check through DOJ and FBI
b) Passing a multiple-choice examination
c) Two years of compensated alarm work experience
d) U.S. citizenship
While applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S., U.S. citizenship is not
required. The requirements include: be 18 or older, undergo a criminal history background
check, have two years of experience, and pass the exam.
8. What is the application and examination fee for the Qualified Manager certificate?
a) $75
b) $85
c) $95
d) $105
The application and exam fee for the Qualified Manager certificate is $105. Additional fees
include $32 for DOJ fingerprint processing and $17 for FBI fingerprint processing
9. Which California agency oversees licensing of alarm companies and qualified
managers?
a) California Department of Justice (DOJ)
b) California Highway Patrol (CHP)
c) Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
d) Department of Consumer Affairs (directly)
, The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) within the Department of
Consumer Affairs regulates licensing and enforcement for alarm companies and qualified
managers.
10. How must an applicant substantiate their claimed years of alarm company
experience?
a) College degree in security management
b) Personal affidavit only
c) Letters of recommendation from clients
d) Written certifications from employers on forms prescribed by the director
Business and Professions Code Section 7599(a) requires applicants to substantiate claimed
years and hours of qualifying experience by written certifications from employers on forms
prescribed by the director, subject to independent verification.
11. What is the renewal fee for a Qualified Manager certificate?
a) $75
b) $100
c) $120
d) $150
The renewal fee for a Qualified Manager certificate is $120. Under BPC Section 7599.70,
this fee may be increased to an amount not to exceed $248.
12. What is the penalty for operating an alarm company without a license in
California?
a) Civil infraction with $500 fine
b) Misdemeanor charge with possible fines and imprisonment
c) Warning for first offense only
d) Administrative penalty only
Unlicensed operation of an alarm company is a misdemeanor in California and may include
fines and imprisonment. Additionally, unlicensed contractors cannot sue for payment.
13. How long is an Alarm Company Operator (ACO) license valid in California?
a) 1 year
b) 2 years
c) 3 years
d) 5 years
*Alarm Company Operator licenses are issued for a 3-year period and must be renewed
prior to expiration. Qualified Manager certificates are valid for 2 years.*
Practice Exam: 2026-2028 Comprehensive BSIS Licensing
Test Questions with Verified Answers | Graded A+ |
INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
COVERAGE BY SECTION
Section Title Questions
1 Licensing Requirements & BSIS Regulations 1–35
2 Alarm Company Operations & Contracts 36–65
3 Qualified Manager Responsibilities 66–95
4 Alarm Agents & Employee Management 96–125
5 False Alarms & Reporting 126–145
6 System Installation & Technical Standards 146–170
7 Ethics, Professional Conduct & Liability 171–190
8 Penalties, Enforcement & Legal Compliance 191–200
Total Questions: 200 | Passing Score (Official Exam): 70% | Governing Authority:
BSIS (Department of Consumer Affairs)
1. Which California law primarily regulates alarm companies and their qualified
managers?
a) California Penal Code, Title 12
b) California Civil Code, Division 3
c) Business and Professions Code, Chapter 11.6 (Alarm Company Act)
d) California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 8
The Alarm Company Act is found in California Business and Professions Code, Division 3,
Chapter 11.6, Sections 7590 through 7599.80. This chapter governs licensing, operations,
and qualified manager requirements for alarm companies in California.
,2. What is the minimum age required to apply for an Alarm Company Qualified
Manager certificate?
a) 18 years old
b) 21 years old
c) 25 years old
d) 30 years old
Business and Professions Code Section 7599(b) requires that applicants for a qualified
manager certificate be at least 18 years of age. This is a minimum statutory requirement for
licensing by BSIS.
3. How many years of compensated alarm company work experience are required to
qualify for the ACQM exam?
a) 1 year (2,000 hours)
b) 2 years (4,000 hours)
c) 3 years (6,000 hours)
d) 4 years (8,000 hours)
Business and Professions Code Section 7599(a) requires applicants to have had at least
two years' experience in alarm company work or the equivalent thereof. A year's experience
consists of not less than 2,000 hours of actual compensated alarm company work.
4. Which agency administers the Alarm Company Qualified Manager examination?
a) California Department of Justice
b) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
c) California Highway Patrol (CHP)
d) PSI Services (contracted by BSIS)
*Exams are given by a state-contracted company known as PSI Services. Once an
applicant meets the minimum requirements and the application is approved, they receive a
letter to contact PSI for scheduling at 13 different locations in California.*
5. What is the initial license validity period for an Alarm Company Qualified Manager
certificate?
a) 1 year
b) 2 years
c) 3 years
d) 5 years
,The initial Qualified Manager license is valid for 2 years. Each renewal cycle extends the
registration for an additional 2 years. Note that Alarm Company Operator (ACO) licenses
are valid for 3 years.
6. Which California Code of Regulations (CCR) division outlines the detailed
responsibilities of a Qualified Manager?
a) Title 16, Division 7 (Security and Investigative Services)
b) Title 8, Division 1 (Industrial Relations)
c) Title 22, Division 4 (Environmental Health)
d) Title 24, Part 2 (Building Standards)
The California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 16, Division 7, Chapter 11.6 provides
detailed regulations defining Qualified Manager responsibilities for compliance and
operational oversight.
7. Which of the following is NOT required for Qualified Manager licensure?
a) Criminal background check through DOJ and FBI
b) Passing a multiple-choice examination
c) Two years of compensated alarm work experience
d) U.S. citizenship
While applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S., U.S. citizenship is not
required. The requirements include: be 18 or older, undergo a criminal history background
check, have two years of experience, and pass the exam.
8. What is the application and examination fee for the Qualified Manager certificate?
a) $75
b) $85
c) $95
d) $105
The application and exam fee for the Qualified Manager certificate is $105. Additional fees
include $32 for DOJ fingerprint processing and $17 for FBI fingerprint processing
9. Which California agency oversees licensing of alarm companies and qualified
managers?
a) California Department of Justice (DOJ)
b) California Highway Patrol (CHP)
c) Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
d) Department of Consumer Affairs (directly)
, The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) within the Department of
Consumer Affairs regulates licensing and enforcement for alarm companies and qualified
managers.
10. How must an applicant substantiate their claimed years of alarm company
experience?
a) College degree in security management
b) Personal affidavit only
c) Letters of recommendation from clients
d) Written certifications from employers on forms prescribed by the director
Business and Professions Code Section 7599(a) requires applicants to substantiate claimed
years and hours of qualifying experience by written certifications from employers on forms
prescribed by the director, subject to independent verification.
11. What is the renewal fee for a Qualified Manager certificate?
a) $75
b) $100
c) $120
d) $150
The renewal fee for a Qualified Manager certificate is $120. Under BPC Section 7599.70,
this fee may be increased to an amount not to exceed $248.
12. What is the penalty for operating an alarm company without a license in
California?
a) Civil infraction with $500 fine
b) Misdemeanor charge with possible fines and imprisonment
c) Warning for first offense only
d) Administrative penalty only
Unlicensed operation of an alarm company is a misdemeanor in California and may include
fines and imprisonment. Additionally, unlicensed contractors cannot sue for payment.
13. How long is an Alarm Company Operator (ACO) license valid in California?
a) 1 year
b) 2 years
c) 3 years
d) 5 years
*Alarm Company Operator licenses are issued for a 3-year period and must be renewed
prior to expiration. Qualified Manager certificates are valid for 2 years.*
