❖ California Alarm Company Qualified Manager
(ACQM) | Comprehensive Study Guide, Practice
Exam, Exam Questions & Answers, Exam Prep Test
Bank, California Alarm Company Act, Business &
Professions Code, Alarm System Installation,
Electronic Security Systems, Fire Alarm Systems,
Low-Voltage Systems, CSLB & BSIS Regulations,
Safety Standards, Detailed Rationales, Licensing
Exam Success
Question 1: What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a California
Alarm Company Qualified Manager certificate?
A. 16 years with parental consent
B. 18 years
C. 21 years
D. 25 years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 18 years
Rationale:California Business and Professions Code Section 7599 explicitly requires
applicants to be at least 18 years of age. This is the statutory minimum age for the
Qualified Manager certificate, and there is no exception for parental consent or higher
age minimums.
Question 2: How many hours of compensated alarm company work experience
are required to qualify for the Qualified Manager examination?
A. 2,000 hours
B. 4,000 hours
C. 6,000 hours
D. 8,000 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 4,000 hours
Rationale:Section 7599(a) specifies that a year's experience shall consist of not less than
2,000 hours of actual compensated alarm company work, and applicants must have at
least two years of such experience. This equates to a total of 4,000 hours of experience
preceding the filing of an application .
Question 3: Which entity is responsible for issuing the Alarm Company
Operator license and Qualified Manager certificate in California?
A. California Department of Consumer Affairs
B. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
C. California State Police
D. California Department of Insurance
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
,Rationale:The BSIS, a division of the Department of Consumer Affairs, is the sole
issuing authority for both Alarm Company Operator licenses and Alarm Company
Qualified Manager (ACQ) licenses under the Alarm Company Act (Business and
Professions Code Chapter 11.6) .
Question 4: What is the minimum passing score required for the Qualified
Manager examination?
A. 70%
B. 75%
C. 80%
D. 85%
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 75%
Rationale:Section 7599.8 states that the competency examination must be of sufficient
scope to satisfy the director that the applicant has sufficient knowledge, with a passing
score of not less than 75 percent. This is the statutory minimum passing score for the
examination .
Question 5: How often must a Qualified Manager certificate be renewed?
A. Annually
B. Every 2 years
C. Every 3 years
D. Every 5 years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Every 2 years
Rationale:According to the EDD Labor Market Information and the Alarm Company
Act, the initial Qualified Manager certificate is valid for 2 years, and each renewal cycle
extends the registration for an additional 2 years .
Question 6: Where must the Qualified Manager certificate be posted?
A. At the Qualified Manager's home
B. In a conspicuous place at the principal place of business
C. At each job site
D. With the Secretary of State
CORRECT ANSWER: B. In a conspicuous place at the principal place of
business
Rationale:Section 7599.4 requires that the Qualified Manager certificate be posted,
along with the alarm company operator license, in a conspicuous place at the principal
place of business of the alarm company .
Question 7: Which of the following is a prohibited business name for an alarm
company?
,A. Golden State Alarm Services
B. California Home Security Solutions
C. California Department of Alarm Services
D. Bay Area Alarm Systems
CORRECT ANSWER: C. California Department of Alarm Services
Rationale:Using a name that mimics a government entity, such as "California
Department," violates fictitious business name regulations. Such names are considered
"confusingly similar" to a government agency and are thus prohibited .
Question 8: What is the mandatory surety bond amount required for an alarm
company in California?
A. $5,000
B. $10,000
C. $25,000
D. $50,000
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $10,000
Rationale:California state law requires alarm companies to maintain a $10,000 surety
bond to protect consumers against misconduct. This bond serves as a financial
guarantee for consumer protection .
Question 9: What is the deadline for filing an application to be eligible for the
next scheduled examination?
A. 10 days prior
B. 30 days prior
C. 60 days prior
D. 90 days prior
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days prior
Rationale:Section 7599.6 requires applicants to complete and file their application
together with the required fees "not later than 30 days prior to the next scheduled
examination date." This ensures timely processing and eligibility for the examination .
Question 10: If an applicant fails to complete their application within one year
after filing, what happens?
A. The application is automatically extended
B. The application is considered abandoned
C. The applicant must pay a late fee
D. The applicant is automatically approved
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The application is considered abandoned
, Rationale:Section 7599.9 states that if an applicant fails to complete their application
within one year after it has been filed, the application shall be considered to be
abandoned. The applicant must then reapply .
Question 11: Which of the following is NOT required to substantiate claimed
years and hours of qualifying experience?
A. Written certifications from employers
B. Forms prescribed by the director
C. Notarized personal affidavit without employer verification
D. Independent verification by the director
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Notarized personal affidavit without employer
verification
Rationale:Section 7599(a) requires substantiation of experience by written certifications
from employers on forms prescribed by the director. While alternative certifications may
be considered if unable to supply employer certification, a personal affidavit alone
without employer verification is not sufficient .
Question 12: What is the standard validity period for a California Alarm Agent
Registration card before it must be formally renewed?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 2 years
Rationale:Alarm Agent Registrations are valid for a period of two years and must be
renewed prior to expiration to maintain legal eligibility for employment .
Question 13: Which of the following would disqualify an applicant from
receiving a qualified manager certificate?
A. A speeding ticket from 5 years ago
B. Conviction of a felony substantially related to the profession
C. Bankruptcy filing
D. Late payment of taxes
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Conviction of a felony substantially related to the
profession
Rationale:Section 7599.10 requires certification of no disqualifying criminal history.
Convictions for crimes substantially related to the profession are grounds for denial. The
bureau may deny a license if the crime is substantially related to the qualifications,
functions, or duties of the license .
Question 14: What is the purpose of the fingerprint background check for
applicants?
(ACQM) | Comprehensive Study Guide, Practice
Exam, Exam Questions & Answers, Exam Prep Test
Bank, California Alarm Company Act, Business &
Professions Code, Alarm System Installation,
Electronic Security Systems, Fire Alarm Systems,
Low-Voltage Systems, CSLB & BSIS Regulations,
Safety Standards, Detailed Rationales, Licensing
Exam Success
Question 1: What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a California
Alarm Company Qualified Manager certificate?
A. 16 years with parental consent
B. 18 years
C. 21 years
D. 25 years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 18 years
Rationale:California Business and Professions Code Section 7599 explicitly requires
applicants to be at least 18 years of age. This is the statutory minimum age for the
Qualified Manager certificate, and there is no exception for parental consent or higher
age minimums.
Question 2: How many hours of compensated alarm company work experience
are required to qualify for the Qualified Manager examination?
A. 2,000 hours
B. 4,000 hours
C. 6,000 hours
D. 8,000 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 4,000 hours
Rationale:Section 7599(a) specifies that a year's experience shall consist of not less than
2,000 hours of actual compensated alarm company work, and applicants must have at
least two years of such experience. This equates to a total of 4,000 hours of experience
preceding the filing of an application .
Question 3: Which entity is responsible for issuing the Alarm Company
Operator license and Qualified Manager certificate in California?
A. California Department of Consumer Affairs
B. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
C. California State Police
D. California Department of Insurance
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
,Rationale:The BSIS, a division of the Department of Consumer Affairs, is the sole
issuing authority for both Alarm Company Operator licenses and Alarm Company
Qualified Manager (ACQ) licenses under the Alarm Company Act (Business and
Professions Code Chapter 11.6) .
Question 4: What is the minimum passing score required for the Qualified
Manager examination?
A. 70%
B. 75%
C. 80%
D. 85%
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 75%
Rationale:Section 7599.8 states that the competency examination must be of sufficient
scope to satisfy the director that the applicant has sufficient knowledge, with a passing
score of not less than 75 percent. This is the statutory minimum passing score for the
examination .
Question 5: How often must a Qualified Manager certificate be renewed?
A. Annually
B. Every 2 years
C. Every 3 years
D. Every 5 years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Every 2 years
Rationale:According to the EDD Labor Market Information and the Alarm Company
Act, the initial Qualified Manager certificate is valid for 2 years, and each renewal cycle
extends the registration for an additional 2 years .
Question 6: Where must the Qualified Manager certificate be posted?
A. At the Qualified Manager's home
B. In a conspicuous place at the principal place of business
C. At each job site
D. With the Secretary of State
CORRECT ANSWER: B. In a conspicuous place at the principal place of
business
Rationale:Section 7599.4 requires that the Qualified Manager certificate be posted,
along with the alarm company operator license, in a conspicuous place at the principal
place of business of the alarm company .
Question 7: Which of the following is a prohibited business name for an alarm
company?
,A. Golden State Alarm Services
B. California Home Security Solutions
C. California Department of Alarm Services
D. Bay Area Alarm Systems
CORRECT ANSWER: C. California Department of Alarm Services
Rationale:Using a name that mimics a government entity, such as "California
Department," violates fictitious business name regulations. Such names are considered
"confusingly similar" to a government agency and are thus prohibited .
Question 8: What is the mandatory surety bond amount required for an alarm
company in California?
A. $5,000
B. $10,000
C. $25,000
D. $50,000
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $10,000
Rationale:California state law requires alarm companies to maintain a $10,000 surety
bond to protect consumers against misconduct. This bond serves as a financial
guarantee for consumer protection .
Question 9: What is the deadline for filing an application to be eligible for the
next scheduled examination?
A. 10 days prior
B. 30 days prior
C. 60 days prior
D. 90 days prior
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days prior
Rationale:Section 7599.6 requires applicants to complete and file their application
together with the required fees "not later than 30 days prior to the next scheduled
examination date." This ensures timely processing and eligibility for the examination .
Question 10: If an applicant fails to complete their application within one year
after filing, what happens?
A. The application is automatically extended
B. The application is considered abandoned
C. The applicant must pay a late fee
D. The applicant is automatically approved
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The application is considered abandoned
, Rationale:Section 7599.9 states that if an applicant fails to complete their application
within one year after it has been filed, the application shall be considered to be
abandoned. The applicant must then reapply .
Question 11: Which of the following is NOT required to substantiate claimed
years and hours of qualifying experience?
A. Written certifications from employers
B. Forms prescribed by the director
C. Notarized personal affidavit without employer verification
D. Independent verification by the director
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Notarized personal affidavit without employer
verification
Rationale:Section 7599(a) requires substantiation of experience by written certifications
from employers on forms prescribed by the director. While alternative certifications may
be considered if unable to supply employer certification, a personal affidavit alone
without employer verification is not sufficient .
Question 12: What is the standard validity period for a California Alarm Agent
Registration card before it must be formally renewed?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 2 years
Rationale:Alarm Agent Registrations are valid for a period of two years and must be
renewed prior to expiration to maintain legal eligibility for employment .
Question 13: Which of the following would disqualify an applicant from
receiving a qualified manager certificate?
A. A speeding ticket from 5 years ago
B. Conviction of a felony substantially related to the profession
C. Bankruptcy filing
D. Late payment of taxes
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Conviction of a felony substantially related to the
profession
Rationale:Section 7599.10 requires certification of no disqualifying criminal history.
Convictions for crimes substantially related to the profession are grounds for denial. The
bureau may deny a license if the crime is substantially related to the qualifications,
functions, or duties of the license .
Question 14: What is the purpose of the fingerprint background check for
applicants?
