CALIFORNIA ALARM COMPANY QUALIFIED MANAGER
(ACQ) EXAM BANK
250+ Expert-Verified Questions & Answers |
2026 Latest Update
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC AREA 1: LICENSING REQUIREMENTS & BSIS REGULATIONS
(Questions 1-50) ................................................. Page 1
TOPIC AREA 2: ALARM COMPANY OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT
(Questions 51-100) ................................................. Page 7
TOPIC AREA 3: LAWS, REGULATIONS & COMPLIANCE
(Questions 101-150) ................................................ Page 14
TOPIC AREA 4: SAFETY, TECHNICAL STANDARDS & EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
(Questions 151-200) ................................................ Page 20
TOPIC AREA 5: BUSINESS PRACTICES, ETHICS & PROFESSIONALISM
(Questions 201-250) ................................................ Page 26
,TOPIC AREA 1: LICENSING REQUIREMENTS & BSIS REGULATIONS (Questions 1-50)
1. What is the minimum age requirement to qualify for an ACQ license in California?
A) 18 years
B) 21 years
C) 25 years
D) No minimum age
Answer: A
Rationale: Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 7592.2 explicitly establishes the minimum
age requirement for an Alarm Company Qualified Manager license at 18 years. This
requirement ensures that applicants have reached the age of majority and can enter into legally
binding contracts on behalf of the alarm company. Unlike some other professional licenses that
require applicants to be 21, the California legislature determined that 18 is sufficient for
qualified managers in the alarm industry. This lower threshold allows younger individuals with
appropriate experience and knowledge to assume managerial responsibilities in the alarm
sector.
2. Which entity issues the Alarm Company Qualified Manager license in California?
A) Department of Consumer Affairs
B) BSIS – Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
C) California Public Utilities Commission
D) CSLB
Answer: B
Rationale: The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), which operates under the
California Department of Consumer Affairs, is the sole issuing authority for both Alarm
Company Operator licenses and Alarm Company Qualified Manager (ACQ) licenses. BSIS is
responsible for regulating the alarm company industry in California, including licensing,
enforcement, and disciplinary actions. The Bureau maintains a public database of licensed
qualified managers and alarm companies to ensure consumer protection and industry
transparency.
3. How many years of full-time experience in alarm company operations are required to qualify
for the ACQ exam?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
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, D) 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: BPC § 7592.5 mandates that applicants must possess two years of verifiable full-
time experience within the alarm company industry, and this experience must have been
gained within the last five years immediately preceding the application. This requirement
ensures that qualified managers have recent, relevant industry knowledge rather than outdated
experience. The "full-time" designation typically means at least 40 hours per week, and the
experience must be documented through employer verification, tax records, or other
acceptable forms of proof.
4. Which of the following counts as qualifying experience for an ACQ?
A) Installing residential doorbells
B) Selling alarm systems door-to-door without installation
C) Managing alarm dispatch records
D) Performing fire alarm system inspections under a licensed contractor
Answer: C
Rationale: Qualifying experience must be directly related to alarm company operations, and
managing alarm dispatch records clearly falls within this definition. Acceptable experience
includes dispatch coordination, sales of alarm systems (including installation oversight),
installation management, field supervision, and central station operations. Non-alarm work
such as installing standard residential doorbells (which are not security systems), selling
without any installation or operational involvement, and fire alarm inspections under a
contractor (which may fall under a separate license category) do not qualify for the ACQ
experience requirement.
5. A qualified manager must be employed by how many licensed alarm companies at the same
time?
A) Unlimited
B) Maximum of two
C) Maximum of three
D) Only one
Answer: D
Rationale: BPC § 7592.6 contains a strict prohibition against a qualified manager acting for
more than one licensed alarm company simultaneously. This "one manager, one company" rule
is designed to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that the qualified manager can dedicate
sufficient time, attention, and expertise to the company they represent. The requirement also
ensures accountability and makes it clear who is responsible for compliance at each licensed
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, entity. A qualified manager who attempts to serve multiple companies risks license revocation
and disciplinary action.
6. What happens if an ACQ leaves employment with the alarm company?
A) No action needed
B) The company's license is automatically revoked
C) The company must notify BSIS within 30 days and find a new QM within 90 days
D) The company can operate for 6 months without a QM
Answer: C
Rationale: California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 16 § 602 establishes a clear timeline for
alarm companies when a qualified manager departs. The company has 30 days from the date of
separation to provide written notification to BSIS of the change. Following notification, the
company is granted a 90-day grace period to identify, hire, and process a replacement qualified
manager. If the company fails to secure a new QM within this 90-day window, the alarm
company license becomes invalid and the company must cease operations until a new QM is in
place.
7. Which of the following is a disqualifying criminal conviction for an ACQ license?
A) Any traffic infraction
B) A misdemeanor unrelated to alarm industry
C) A felony involving fraud or dishonesty within the last 10 years
D) Juvenile offense sealed by court
Answer: C
Rationale: BPC § 7592.3 identifies crimes of moral turpitude, fraud, or dishonesty as
disqualifying factors for an ACQ license. A felony conviction involving fraud, embezzlement,
forgery, bribery, or similar offenses within the past 10 years creates a substantial barrier to
licensure. Traffic infractions (unless involving DUI or serious offenses) are generally not
considered. Misdemeanor unrelated to the industry may not automatically disqualify but would
be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Sealed juvenile offenses are protected by law and cannot
be used to deny licensure.
8. How often must an ACQ license be renewed?
A) Annually
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
Answer: B
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(ACQ) EXAM BANK
250+ Expert-Verified Questions & Answers |
2026 Latest Update
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC AREA 1: LICENSING REQUIREMENTS & BSIS REGULATIONS
(Questions 1-50) ................................................. Page 1
TOPIC AREA 2: ALARM COMPANY OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT
(Questions 51-100) ................................................. Page 7
TOPIC AREA 3: LAWS, REGULATIONS & COMPLIANCE
(Questions 101-150) ................................................ Page 14
TOPIC AREA 4: SAFETY, TECHNICAL STANDARDS & EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
(Questions 151-200) ................................................ Page 20
TOPIC AREA 5: BUSINESS PRACTICES, ETHICS & PROFESSIONALISM
(Questions 201-250) ................................................ Page 26
,TOPIC AREA 1: LICENSING REQUIREMENTS & BSIS REGULATIONS (Questions 1-50)
1. What is the minimum age requirement to qualify for an ACQ license in California?
A) 18 years
B) 21 years
C) 25 years
D) No minimum age
Answer: A
Rationale: Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 7592.2 explicitly establishes the minimum
age requirement for an Alarm Company Qualified Manager license at 18 years. This
requirement ensures that applicants have reached the age of majority and can enter into legally
binding contracts on behalf of the alarm company. Unlike some other professional licenses that
require applicants to be 21, the California legislature determined that 18 is sufficient for
qualified managers in the alarm industry. This lower threshold allows younger individuals with
appropriate experience and knowledge to assume managerial responsibilities in the alarm
sector.
2. Which entity issues the Alarm Company Qualified Manager license in California?
A) Department of Consumer Affairs
B) BSIS – Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
C) California Public Utilities Commission
D) CSLB
Answer: B
Rationale: The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), which operates under the
California Department of Consumer Affairs, is the sole issuing authority for both Alarm
Company Operator licenses and Alarm Company Qualified Manager (ACQ) licenses. BSIS is
responsible for regulating the alarm company industry in California, including licensing,
enforcement, and disciplinary actions. The Bureau maintains a public database of licensed
qualified managers and alarm companies to ensure consumer protection and industry
transparency.
3. How many years of full-time experience in alarm company operations are required to qualify
for the ACQ exam?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
2|Pa ge
, D) 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: BPC § 7592.5 mandates that applicants must possess two years of verifiable full-
time experience within the alarm company industry, and this experience must have been
gained within the last five years immediately preceding the application. This requirement
ensures that qualified managers have recent, relevant industry knowledge rather than outdated
experience. The "full-time" designation typically means at least 40 hours per week, and the
experience must be documented through employer verification, tax records, or other
acceptable forms of proof.
4. Which of the following counts as qualifying experience for an ACQ?
A) Installing residential doorbells
B) Selling alarm systems door-to-door without installation
C) Managing alarm dispatch records
D) Performing fire alarm system inspections under a licensed contractor
Answer: C
Rationale: Qualifying experience must be directly related to alarm company operations, and
managing alarm dispatch records clearly falls within this definition. Acceptable experience
includes dispatch coordination, sales of alarm systems (including installation oversight),
installation management, field supervision, and central station operations. Non-alarm work
such as installing standard residential doorbells (which are not security systems), selling
without any installation or operational involvement, and fire alarm inspections under a
contractor (which may fall under a separate license category) do not qualify for the ACQ
experience requirement.
5. A qualified manager must be employed by how many licensed alarm companies at the same
time?
A) Unlimited
B) Maximum of two
C) Maximum of three
D) Only one
Answer: D
Rationale: BPC § 7592.6 contains a strict prohibition against a qualified manager acting for
more than one licensed alarm company simultaneously. This "one manager, one company" rule
is designed to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that the qualified manager can dedicate
sufficient time, attention, and expertise to the company they represent. The requirement also
ensures accountability and makes it clear who is responsible for compliance at each licensed
3|Pa ge
, entity. A qualified manager who attempts to serve multiple companies risks license revocation
and disciplinary action.
6. What happens if an ACQ leaves employment with the alarm company?
A) No action needed
B) The company's license is automatically revoked
C) The company must notify BSIS within 30 days and find a new QM within 90 days
D) The company can operate for 6 months without a QM
Answer: C
Rationale: California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 16 § 602 establishes a clear timeline for
alarm companies when a qualified manager departs. The company has 30 days from the date of
separation to provide written notification to BSIS of the change. Following notification, the
company is granted a 90-day grace period to identify, hire, and process a replacement qualified
manager. If the company fails to secure a new QM within this 90-day window, the alarm
company license becomes invalid and the company must cease operations until a new QM is in
place.
7. Which of the following is a disqualifying criminal conviction for an ACQ license?
A) Any traffic infraction
B) A misdemeanor unrelated to alarm industry
C) A felony involving fraud or dishonesty within the last 10 years
D) Juvenile offense sealed by court
Answer: C
Rationale: BPC § 7592.3 identifies crimes of moral turpitude, fraud, or dishonesty as
disqualifying factors for an ACQ license. A felony conviction involving fraud, embezzlement,
forgery, bribery, or similar offenses within the past 10 years creates a substantial barrier to
licensure. Traffic infractions (unless involving DUI or serious offenses) are generally not
considered. Misdemeanor unrelated to the industry may not automatically disqualify but would
be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Sealed juvenile offenses are protected by law and cannot
be used to deny licensure.
8. How often must an ACQ license be renewed?
A) Annually
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
Answer: B
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