Page 1 of 140
California Household Movers’ Exam (Bureau of
Household Goods and Services - BHGS) Questions
with Correct Answers and explanations LATEST
THIS YEAR -JUST RELEASED
California Household Movers’ Exam (Bureau of Household Goods and Services - BHGS)
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE
The California Household Movers’ Exam is administered by the Bureau of Household Goods and
Services (BHGS) within the Department of Consumer Affairs . As of July 1, 2018, regulatory authority for
household movers transferred from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to BHGS .
Candidates must pass the exam to obtain a Household Goods Carrier Permit (“T number”) .
Key domains include: regulatory authority and licensing (BHGS vs. CPUC vs. FMCSA); legal definitions
(household mover, household goods); permit requirements and renewal (annual); insurance
requirements (public liability, cargo, workers’ compensation); estimate types (binding, non-binding, not-
to-exceed); the Bill of Lading as a legal contract; customer rights and disclosures; prohibited practices
(verbal estimates, telephone/internet quotes without inspection, undisclosed charges); claim filing (9
months for loss/damage); recordkeeping (3 years); and enforcement (fines, cease-and-desist, criminal
prosecution).
1. A moving company operates only within California. Which agency currently regulates this company?
A) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
B) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
C) Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
D) Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Answer: C
, Page 2 of 140
Rationale: As of July 1, 2018, regulatory authority for intrastate household movers transferred from the
CPUC to the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) within the Department of Consumer
Affairs .
2. What is the primary license/permit required for a household mover to operate legally within
California?
A) Class A Contractor License
B) Household Goods Carrier Permit (T Number)
C) Interstate Carrier Certificate
D) Local Business Tax Certificate
Answer: B
Rationale: Movers must have a valid BHGS-issued Household Goods Carrier Permit, designated by a “T”
number, for all intrastate household goods transportation for compensation .
3. Which agency regulated household movers in California before July 1, 2018?
, Page 3 of 140
A) Department of Consumer Affairs
B) Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
C) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
D) Department of Industrial Relations
Answer: C
Rationale: Before July 1, 2018, the CPUC was responsible for licensing and regulating household goods
carriers; responsibility then transferred to BHGS under the Department of Consumer Affairs .
4. How often must a household mover renew their BHGS permit?
A) Every 3 years
B) Every 5 years
C) Annually
D) Every 2 years
Answer: C
, Page 4 of 140
Rationale: BHGS household goods carrier permits must be renewed annually to remain valid; failure to
renew can result in fines and suspension of operations .
5. A “Household Mover” under California law is defined as a business that:
A) Moves new furniture from a warehouse to a store
B) Transports a friend’s sofa for free
C) Is paid to transport used household goods and personal effects
D) Only provides packing services without transportation
Answer: C
Rationale: A household mover is defined as a business paid to transport used household goods and
personal effects by motor vehicle over public highways .
6. Which type of move requires a BHGS Household Mover Permit?
A) Interstate moves only
B) Intrastate moves within California only
California Household Movers’ Exam (Bureau of
Household Goods and Services - BHGS) Questions
with Correct Answers and explanations LATEST
THIS YEAR -JUST RELEASED
California Household Movers’ Exam (Bureau of Household Goods and Services - BHGS)
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE
The California Household Movers’ Exam is administered by the Bureau of Household Goods and
Services (BHGS) within the Department of Consumer Affairs . As of July 1, 2018, regulatory authority for
household movers transferred from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to BHGS .
Candidates must pass the exam to obtain a Household Goods Carrier Permit (“T number”) .
Key domains include: regulatory authority and licensing (BHGS vs. CPUC vs. FMCSA); legal definitions
(household mover, household goods); permit requirements and renewal (annual); insurance
requirements (public liability, cargo, workers’ compensation); estimate types (binding, non-binding, not-
to-exceed); the Bill of Lading as a legal contract; customer rights and disclosures; prohibited practices
(verbal estimates, telephone/internet quotes without inspection, undisclosed charges); claim filing (9
months for loss/damage); recordkeeping (3 years); and enforcement (fines, cease-and-desist, criminal
prosecution).
1. A moving company operates only within California. Which agency currently regulates this company?
A) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
B) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
C) Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
D) Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Answer: C
, Page 2 of 140
Rationale: As of July 1, 2018, regulatory authority for intrastate household movers transferred from the
CPUC to the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) within the Department of Consumer
Affairs .
2. What is the primary license/permit required for a household mover to operate legally within
California?
A) Class A Contractor License
B) Household Goods Carrier Permit (T Number)
C) Interstate Carrier Certificate
D) Local Business Tax Certificate
Answer: B
Rationale: Movers must have a valid BHGS-issued Household Goods Carrier Permit, designated by a “T”
number, for all intrastate household goods transportation for compensation .
3. Which agency regulated household movers in California before July 1, 2018?
, Page 3 of 140
A) Department of Consumer Affairs
B) Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
C) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
D) Department of Industrial Relations
Answer: C
Rationale: Before July 1, 2018, the CPUC was responsible for licensing and regulating household goods
carriers; responsibility then transferred to BHGS under the Department of Consumer Affairs .
4. How often must a household mover renew their BHGS permit?
A) Every 3 years
B) Every 5 years
C) Annually
D) Every 2 years
Answer: C
, Page 4 of 140
Rationale: BHGS household goods carrier permits must be renewed annually to remain valid; failure to
renew can result in fines and suspension of operations .
5. A “Household Mover” under California law is defined as a business that:
A) Moves new furniture from a warehouse to a store
B) Transports a friend’s sofa for free
C) Is paid to transport used household goods and personal effects
D) Only provides packing services without transportation
Answer: C
Rationale: A household mover is defined as a business paid to transport used household goods and
personal effects by motor vehicle over public highways .
6. Which type of move requires a BHGS Household Mover Permit?
A) Interstate moves only
B) Intrastate moves within California only
