SHARP AR 600-52 Exam Prep 2026/2027:
Complete Study Guide, Summaries &
Practice Questions
PART 1: REGULATORY AUTHORITY & LICENSING (Questions 1–50)
1. Which state agency currently regulates household movers conducting intrastate
moves in California?
A) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
B) Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
C) Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
D) California Highway Patrol (CHP)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: As of July 1, 2018, regulatory authority for household movers was
transferred from the CPUC to the Bureau of Household Goods and Services
(BHGS) within the Department of Consumer Affairs. All intrastate household
movers must now be licensed by BHGS.
2. Which California agency regulated household movers prior to July 1, 2018?
A) Department of Consumer Affairs
B) Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
C) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
D) Department of Industrial Relations
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Before July 1, 2018, the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) had regulatory authority over household goods carriers. This authority was
transferred to the BHGS as part of the Household Movers Act. The CPUC still
regulates other utilities and passenger carriers.
,3. What is the primary license/permit required for a household mover to operate
legally in California?
A) Class A Contractor License
B) Household Goods Carrier Permit (T Number)
C) Interstate Carrier Certificate
D) Local Business Tax Certificate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Movers must have a valid BHGS-issued Household Goods Carrier
Permit, designated by a “T” number (e.g., Cal. T-123456). This permit is required
for all intrastate household goods transportation for compensation and must appear
on all advertising and vehicles.
4. How often must a household mover renew their permit with BHGS?
A) Every 3 years
B) Every 5 years
C) Annually
D) Every 2 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CPUC/BHGS household goods carrier permits must be
renewed annually to remain valid.
5. The exam covers which primary regulatory document?
A) California Vehicle Code
B) Maximum Rate Tariff 4 (MAX 4)
C) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
D) California Labor Code
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Applicants must pass a written examination on the maximum rates,
rules, and regulations contained in Maximum Rate Tariff 4 (MAX 4). This tariff is
the governing document for intrastate household moves.
,6. What federal agency regulates interstate (cross-border) household moves?
A) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
B) Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
C) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
D) Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The FMCSA regulates interstate household goods moves. CPUC/BHGS
only regulate moves that both originate and end in California.
7. What is the application fee for a new Household Mover Permit?
A) 100B)100B)300
C) 600D)600D)1,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The non-refundable application fee for a new Household Mover Permit
is $600. This fee is required to process the permit application and does not
guarantee approval.
8. What must an applicant do to prove they meet the minimum experience
requirement?
A) Pass a driving test
B) Provide documentation of at least two years of experience in the moving sector
within the previous five years
C) Submit a business plan
D) Provide three letters of recommendation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The BHGS requires that each applicant for a household mover permit
demonstrate at least two years of experience performing household goods moving
operations within the last five years prior to application.
9. What background check is required for all household mover permit applicants?
, A) Credit check only
B) Driving record only
C) Fingerprint-based state and national criminal history background check
D) Professional license check
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The BHGS requires each applicant to undergo a fingerprint-based state
and national criminal history background check conducted through the California
Department of Justice and FBI.
10. Under California law (BPC § 19225.5(h)), a “Household Mover” is defined as:
A) A business that transports new furniture from manufacturers to retailers
B) A person or corporation paid to transport used household goods and personal
effects by motor vehicle over public highways in California
C) A business providing only packing services without transportation
D) A business that stores goods without transporting them
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The statutory definition in the Business and Professions Code defines a
household mover as a person or corporation that for compensation transports used
household goods and personal effects by motor vehicle over the public highways of
California.
11. Is a separate license required for storage-in-transit (SIT) services?
A) No, storage is allowed as an incidental service to moving with a mover permit
B) Yes, a separate storage warehouse license is required
C) Only if storage exceeds 90 days
D) Only for commercial storage facilities
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A household mover with a valid BHGS Household Goods Carrier Permit
may provide storage-in-transit (SIT) services incidental to a move without obtaining
a separate storage license. SIT is a temporary warehousing service connected to an
active move.
Complete Study Guide, Summaries &
Practice Questions
PART 1: REGULATORY AUTHORITY & LICENSING (Questions 1–50)
1. Which state agency currently regulates household movers conducting intrastate
moves in California?
A) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
B) Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
C) Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
D) California Highway Patrol (CHP)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: As of July 1, 2018, regulatory authority for household movers was
transferred from the CPUC to the Bureau of Household Goods and Services
(BHGS) within the Department of Consumer Affairs. All intrastate household
movers must now be licensed by BHGS.
2. Which California agency regulated household movers prior to July 1, 2018?
A) Department of Consumer Affairs
B) Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
C) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
D) Department of Industrial Relations
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Before July 1, 2018, the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) had regulatory authority over household goods carriers. This authority was
transferred to the BHGS as part of the Household Movers Act. The CPUC still
regulates other utilities and passenger carriers.
,3. What is the primary license/permit required for a household mover to operate
legally in California?
A) Class A Contractor License
B) Household Goods Carrier Permit (T Number)
C) Interstate Carrier Certificate
D) Local Business Tax Certificate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Movers must have a valid BHGS-issued Household Goods Carrier
Permit, designated by a “T” number (e.g., Cal. T-123456). This permit is required
for all intrastate household goods transportation for compensation and must appear
on all advertising and vehicles.
4. How often must a household mover renew their permit with BHGS?
A) Every 3 years
B) Every 5 years
C) Annually
D) Every 2 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CPUC/BHGS household goods carrier permits must be
renewed annually to remain valid.
5. The exam covers which primary regulatory document?
A) California Vehicle Code
B) Maximum Rate Tariff 4 (MAX 4)
C) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
D) California Labor Code
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Applicants must pass a written examination on the maximum rates,
rules, and regulations contained in Maximum Rate Tariff 4 (MAX 4). This tariff is
the governing document for intrastate household moves.
,6. What federal agency regulates interstate (cross-border) household moves?
A) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
B) Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
C) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
D) Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The FMCSA regulates interstate household goods moves. CPUC/BHGS
only regulate moves that both originate and end in California.
7. What is the application fee for a new Household Mover Permit?
A) 100B)100B)300
C) 600D)600D)1,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The non-refundable application fee for a new Household Mover Permit
is $600. This fee is required to process the permit application and does not
guarantee approval.
8. What must an applicant do to prove they meet the minimum experience
requirement?
A) Pass a driving test
B) Provide documentation of at least two years of experience in the moving sector
within the previous five years
C) Submit a business plan
D) Provide three letters of recommendation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The BHGS requires that each applicant for a household mover permit
demonstrate at least two years of experience performing household goods moving
operations within the last five years prior to application.
9. What background check is required for all household mover permit applicants?
, A) Credit check only
B) Driving record only
C) Fingerprint-based state and national criminal history background check
D) Professional license check
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The BHGS requires each applicant to undergo a fingerprint-based state
and national criminal history background check conducted through the California
Department of Justice and FBI.
10. Under California law (BPC § 19225.5(h)), a “Household Mover” is defined as:
A) A business that transports new furniture from manufacturers to retailers
B) A person or corporation paid to transport used household goods and personal
effects by motor vehicle over public highways in California
C) A business providing only packing services without transportation
D) A business that stores goods without transporting them
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The statutory definition in the Business and Professions Code defines a
household mover as a person or corporation that for compensation transports used
household goods and personal effects by motor vehicle over the public highways of
California.
11. Is a separate license required for storage-in-transit (SIT) services?
A) No, storage is allowed as an incidental service to moving with a mover permit
B) Yes, a separate storage warehouse license is required
C) Only if storage exceeds 90 days
D) Only for commercial storage facilities
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A household mover with a valid BHGS Household Goods Carrier Permit
may provide storage-in-transit (SIT) services incidental to a move without obtaining
a separate storage license. SIT is a temporary warehousing service connected to an
active move.
