California Alarm Company Operator Exam
QUESTIONSAND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Who regulates Alarm Company Operators in California?
A. Department of Transportation
B. California Contractors State License Board
C. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
D. Department of Consumer Affairs
Rationale: BSIS, under the Dept. of Consumer Affairs, licenses and
regulates alarm operators in California.
2. What is the minimum age requirement for an ACO license?
A. 16
B. 17
C. 18
D. 21
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to obtain a
license.
3. Which of the following is required when applying for an ACO
license?
A. Only a written exam
B. Live Scan fingerprinting and background check
C. No experience
D. Local business permit only
Rationale: California law requires a fingerprint-based background
check via Live Scan.
,4. How often must an ACO license be renewed?
A. Annually
B. Every 2 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Lifetime
Rationale: ACO licenses expire every 2 years and must be renewed
to remain valid.
5. An alarm contract must include:
A. Technician’s daily schedule
B. Consumer’s right to cancel within three business days
C. Company lunch menu
D. Map of alarm zones
Rationale: California law requires a cancellation clause for
consumer protection.
6. Which of the following is prohibited in alarm advertising?
A. Company hours
B. Phone numbers
C. False or misleading claims
D. License number
Rationale: All advertising must be truthful and cannot mislead
customers.
7. Who may sell or install alarm systems on a consumer’s
premises?
A. Any employee
B. Police officers
C. Registered alarm agents
D. Electricians only
Rationale: Only registered agents are legally permitted to sell or
install alarm systems.
, 8. Operating without a valid ACO license may result in:
A. $100 fine
B. Community service only
C. Free training
D. Fines up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment
Rationale: Unlicensed operation is a criminal offense under
California law.
9. What must an alarm agent carry while performing duties?
A. Company cap
B. Safety vest
C. Work order form
D. BSIS-issued registration card
Rationale: Registered agents must carry their registration card
when on duty.
10. A Qualified Manager is required to have how much alarm
experience?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years (approximately 4,000 hours)
D. No experience
Rationale: Two years of paid experience is required to qualify as a
manager.
11. Which code requires alarm license numbers to appear in
advertising?
A. Traffic Code
B. Health & Safety Code
C. Penal Code
D. Business & Professions Code
QUESTIONSAND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Who regulates Alarm Company Operators in California?
A. Department of Transportation
B. California Contractors State License Board
C. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
D. Department of Consumer Affairs
Rationale: BSIS, under the Dept. of Consumer Affairs, licenses and
regulates alarm operators in California.
2. What is the minimum age requirement for an ACO license?
A. 16
B. 17
C. 18
D. 21
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to obtain a
license.
3. Which of the following is required when applying for an ACO
license?
A. Only a written exam
B. Live Scan fingerprinting and background check
C. No experience
D. Local business permit only
Rationale: California law requires a fingerprint-based background
check via Live Scan.
,4. How often must an ACO license be renewed?
A. Annually
B. Every 2 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Lifetime
Rationale: ACO licenses expire every 2 years and must be renewed
to remain valid.
5. An alarm contract must include:
A. Technician’s daily schedule
B. Consumer’s right to cancel within three business days
C. Company lunch menu
D. Map of alarm zones
Rationale: California law requires a cancellation clause for
consumer protection.
6. Which of the following is prohibited in alarm advertising?
A. Company hours
B. Phone numbers
C. False or misleading claims
D. License number
Rationale: All advertising must be truthful and cannot mislead
customers.
7. Who may sell or install alarm systems on a consumer’s
premises?
A. Any employee
B. Police officers
C. Registered alarm agents
D. Electricians only
Rationale: Only registered agents are legally permitted to sell or
install alarm systems.
, 8. Operating without a valid ACO license may result in:
A. $100 fine
B. Community service only
C. Free training
D. Fines up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment
Rationale: Unlicensed operation is a criminal offense under
California law.
9. What must an alarm agent carry while performing duties?
A. Company cap
B. Safety vest
C. Work order form
D. BSIS-issued registration card
Rationale: Registered agents must carry their registration card
when on duty.
10. A Qualified Manager is required to have how much alarm
experience?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years (approximately 4,000 hours)
D. No experience
Rationale: Two years of paid experience is required to qualify as a
manager.
11. Which code requires alarm license numbers to appear in
advertising?
A. Traffic Code
B. Health & Safety Code
C. Penal Code
D. Business & Professions Code
