Arkansas AR-AC Access Control
Contractor Practice Exam |
Questions, Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary purpose of an access control system?
A. To improve building appearance
B. To provide general lighting
C. To regulate and restrict entry to authorized persons
D. To replace all security personnel
Answer: To regulate and restrict entry to authorized
persons
Rationale: An access control system determines who is
permitted to enter a protected area and under what
conditions.
2. Which component reads a credential presented by a user?
A. Door closer
B. Access control reader
C. Power supply
D. Door contact
Answer: Access control reader
Rationale: A reader captures credential information and
sends it to the access control system for authorization.
3. Which credential uses a personal identification number?
,A. Proximity card
B. Magnetic stripe card
C. PIN credential
D. Biometric template
Answer: PIN credential
Rationale: A PIN is a knowledge-based credential
consisting of a number or code entered by the user.
4. What is the main function of an access control panel?
A. Produce identification badges
B. Process access information and operate controlled
doors
C. Provide building illumination
D. Record analog video only
Answer: Process access information and operate
controlled doors
Rationale: The controller receives information from
readers and other devices and makes or executes
access decisions.
5. What does fail-safe generally mean for an electrically
controlled locking device?
A. It remains locked when power fails
B. It unlocks when power is removed
C. It operates only from a battery
D. It cannot be manually opened
Answer: It unlocks when power is removed
Rationale: Fail-safe operation removes the locking
function when power is lost, commonly to support life-
safety egress.
6. What does fail-secure generally mean?
A. The lock remains secured when electrical power is
lost
B. The lock always opens during a power failure
,C. The lock has no mechanical override
D. The reader stops accepting credentials permanently
Answer: The lock remains secured when electrical power
is lost
Rationale: Fail-secure hardware generally maintains the
locked condition after loss of electrical power, subject to
applicable life-safety requirements.
7. Which device detects whether a door is open or closed?
A. Card reader
B. Request-to-exit device
C. Door position switch
D. Electric strike
Answer: Door position switch
Rationale: A door position switch, commonly a magnetic
contact, reports the physical state of the door to the
control system.
8. What is the purpose of a request-to-exit device?
A. To identify an employee
B. To signal authorized egress without requiring a
credential
C. To supply power to a lock
D. To record video
Answer: To signal authorized egress without requiring a
credential
Rationale: A request-to-exit device allows the system to
recognize legitimate exit activity and avoid treating it
as forced entry.
9. Which locking device uses an electromagnet and
armature?
A. Electric strike
B. Electromagnetic lock
, C. Mechanical deadbolt
D. Panic bar
Answer: Electromagnetic lock
Rationale: An electromagnetic lock uses magnetic
attraction between the magnet and armature to secure
a door.
10. What is a major characteristic of an electromagnetic
lock?
A. It requires no electrical power
B. It uses a mechanical key only
C. It normally requires power to maintain its holding
force
D. It can never be used with access control
Answer: It normally requires power to maintain its
holding force
Rationale: Removing power from a typical
electromagnetic lock removes its magnetic holding
force.
11. What is an electric strike designed to do?
A. Detect smoke
B. Measure voltage
C. Electrically release a mechanical latch
D. Record access events
Answer: Electrically release a mechanical latch
Rationale: An electric strike is installed in the door
frame and permits the mechanical latch to release when
energized.
12. Which credential technology uses a magnetic stripe
containing encoded information?
A. Biometric credential
B. Magnetic stripe card
Contractor Practice Exam |
Questions, Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary purpose of an access control system?
A. To improve building appearance
B. To provide general lighting
C. To regulate and restrict entry to authorized persons
D. To replace all security personnel
Answer: To regulate and restrict entry to authorized
persons
Rationale: An access control system determines who is
permitted to enter a protected area and under what
conditions.
2. Which component reads a credential presented by a user?
A. Door closer
B. Access control reader
C. Power supply
D. Door contact
Answer: Access control reader
Rationale: A reader captures credential information and
sends it to the access control system for authorization.
3. Which credential uses a personal identification number?
,A. Proximity card
B. Magnetic stripe card
C. PIN credential
D. Biometric template
Answer: PIN credential
Rationale: A PIN is a knowledge-based credential
consisting of a number or code entered by the user.
4. What is the main function of an access control panel?
A. Produce identification badges
B. Process access information and operate controlled
doors
C. Provide building illumination
D. Record analog video only
Answer: Process access information and operate
controlled doors
Rationale: The controller receives information from
readers and other devices and makes or executes
access decisions.
5. What does fail-safe generally mean for an electrically
controlled locking device?
A. It remains locked when power fails
B. It unlocks when power is removed
C. It operates only from a battery
D. It cannot be manually opened
Answer: It unlocks when power is removed
Rationale: Fail-safe operation removes the locking
function when power is lost, commonly to support life-
safety egress.
6. What does fail-secure generally mean?
A. The lock remains secured when electrical power is
lost
B. The lock always opens during a power failure
,C. The lock has no mechanical override
D. The reader stops accepting credentials permanently
Answer: The lock remains secured when electrical power
is lost
Rationale: Fail-secure hardware generally maintains the
locked condition after loss of electrical power, subject to
applicable life-safety requirements.
7. Which device detects whether a door is open or closed?
A. Card reader
B. Request-to-exit device
C. Door position switch
D. Electric strike
Answer: Door position switch
Rationale: A door position switch, commonly a magnetic
contact, reports the physical state of the door to the
control system.
8. What is the purpose of a request-to-exit device?
A. To identify an employee
B. To signal authorized egress without requiring a
credential
C. To supply power to a lock
D. To record video
Answer: To signal authorized egress without requiring a
credential
Rationale: A request-to-exit device allows the system to
recognize legitimate exit activity and avoid treating it
as forced entry.
9. Which locking device uses an electromagnet and
armature?
A. Electric strike
B. Electromagnetic lock
, C. Mechanical deadbolt
D. Panic bar
Answer: Electromagnetic lock
Rationale: An electromagnetic lock uses magnetic
attraction between the magnet and armature to secure
a door.
10. What is a major characteristic of an electromagnetic
lock?
A. It requires no electrical power
B. It uses a mechanical key only
C. It normally requires power to maintain its holding
force
D. It can never be used with access control
Answer: It normally requires power to maintain its
holding force
Rationale: Removing power from a typical
electromagnetic lock removes its magnetic holding
force.
11. What is an electric strike designed to do?
A. Detect smoke
B. Measure voltage
C. Electrically release a mechanical latch
D. Record access events
Answer: Electrically release a mechanical latch
Rationale: An electric strike is installed in the door
frame and permits the mechanical latch to release when
energized.
12. Which credential technology uses a magnetic stripe
containing encoded information?
A. Biometric credential
B. Magnetic stripe card
