California Alarm Company Qualified Manager (ACQ)
Exam 2026/2027 | BSIS Alarm Company Operator
Qualified Manager Certification Study Guide, Practice
Questions & Answers, California Alarm Company Act,
Alarm Agent Requirements, Business Management,
Contracts, Power to Arrest, Weapons Laws, Licensing,
Compliance & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: Which California state agency is responsible for issuing
the Alarm Company Operator (ACO) license and Qualified Manager
certificate?
A. California Department of Insurance
B. California Public Utilities Commission
C. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
D. California State Fire Marshal
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Bureau of Security and Investigative
Services (BSIS)
Rationale: The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), a
division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, is the sole
authority responsible for issuing Alarm Company Operator licenses and
Qualified Manager certificates under the Alarm Company Act (Business and
Professions Code Chapter 11.6).
Question 2: 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 all applicants for a Qualified Manager certificate to be at least 18
years of age.
Question 3: How many hours of compensated alarm company work
experience are required to qualify for the Qualified Manager
examination?
,A. 2,000 hours (1 year)
B. 3,000 hours (1.5 years)
C. 4,000 hours (2 years)
D. 5,000 hours (2.5 years)
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 4,000 hours (2 years)
Rationale: California law mandates at least 4,000 hours of paid alarm
company experience, equivalent to two years of full-time work, for ACQ
eligibility. This experience must be certified by someone other than the
applicant.
Question 4: What is the minimum passing score on the California
Alarm Company Qualified Manager examination?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 75%
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 70%
Rationale: The Alarm Company Act requires a minimum passing score of
70% on the Qualified Manager examination, which covers California law,
the Alarm Company Act, alarm agent requirements, weapons laws, business
management, and Power to Arrest.
Question 5: What is the primary responsibility of a Qualified
Manager for an alarm company?
A. Sales and marketing only
B. Managing the day-to-day business operations of the Alarm Company
Operator
C. Customer billing and collections
D. Equipment procurement and inventory
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Managing the day-to-day business
operations of the Alarm Company Operator
Rationale: The Qualified Manager is defined as the individual who manages
the day-to-day business of an Alarm Company Operator, ensuring
compliance with regulations and maintaining operational standards.
,Question 6: According to BPC Section 7599.4, where must the
Qualified Manager certificate be displayed?
A. At the manager's home office
B. In a conspicuous place at the principal place of business
C. On every company vehicle
D. On the company website only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. In a conspicuous place at the principal
place of business
Rationale: The certificate shall be posted, along with the alarm company
operator license, in a conspicuous place at the principal place of business so
that it is readily visible to consumers and inspectors.
Question 7: Within how many days must a licensee notify BSIS of a
change of business address?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days
Rationale: The Alarm Company Act requires address changes to be
reported within 30 days to keep license information current and ensure the
Bureau can maintain accurate records.
Question 8: What is the maximum number of consecutive days a
Qualified Manager can be absent from the licensed alarm company
without notifying BSIS?
A. 30 days
B. 60 days
C. 90 days
D. 120 days
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 90 days
Rationale: BSIS regulations require notification if the Qualified Manager will
be absent for more than 90 consecutive days, as this affects the required
day-to-day management of the licensed business.
, Question 9: Which of the following counts as qualifying experience
for an ACQ?
A. Installing residential doorbells
B. Selling alarm systems without installation involvement
C. Managing alarm dispatch records
D. Performing non-alarm electrical work
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Managing alarm dispatch records
Rationale: Qualifying experience includes dispatch coordination, sales,
installation management, field supervision, and central station operations.
Non-alarm work and purely retail sales without alarm system involvement
do not qualify.
Question 10: How long is an Alarm Company Operator (ACO)
license valid before renewal is required?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Five years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Two years
Rationale: ACO licenses and ACQ certificates must be renewed every two
years. Renewal notices are typically mailed approximately 90 days before
expiration.
Question 11: An owner of an alarm company wishes to serve as
their own Qualified Manager. Which statement is true?
A. The owner cannot serve as Qualified Manager because they own the
company
B. An owner, partner, or corporate officer may serve as the qualified
manager
C. The owner must hire a separate Qualified Manager with no ownership
interest
D. Only a non-owner employee can serve as Qualified Manager
CORRECT ANSWER: B. An owner, partner, or corporate officer may
serve as the qualified manager
Exam 2026/2027 | BSIS Alarm Company Operator
Qualified Manager Certification Study Guide, Practice
Questions & Answers, California Alarm Company Act,
Alarm Agent Requirements, Business Management,
Contracts, Power to Arrest, Weapons Laws, Licensing,
Compliance & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: Which California state agency is responsible for issuing
the Alarm Company Operator (ACO) license and Qualified Manager
certificate?
A. California Department of Insurance
B. California Public Utilities Commission
C. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
D. California State Fire Marshal
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Bureau of Security and Investigative
Services (BSIS)
Rationale: The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), a
division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, is the sole
authority responsible for issuing Alarm Company Operator licenses and
Qualified Manager certificates under the Alarm Company Act (Business and
Professions Code Chapter 11.6).
Question 2: 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 all applicants for a Qualified Manager certificate to be at least 18
years of age.
Question 3: How many hours of compensated alarm company work
experience are required to qualify for the Qualified Manager
examination?
,A. 2,000 hours (1 year)
B. 3,000 hours (1.5 years)
C. 4,000 hours (2 years)
D. 5,000 hours (2.5 years)
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 4,000 hours (2 years)
Rationale: California law mandates at least 4,000 hours of paid alarm
company experience, equivalent to two years of full-time work, for ACQ
eligibility. This experience must be certified by someone other than the
applicant.
Question 4: What is the minimum passing score on the California
Alarm Company Qualified Manager examination?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 75%
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 70%
Rationale: The Alarm Company Act requires a minimum passing score of
70% on the Qualified Manager examination, which covers California law,
the Alarm Company Act, alarm agent requirements, weapons laws, business
management, and Power to Arrest.
Question 5: What is the primary responsibility of a Qualified
Manager for an alarm company?
A. Sales and marketing only
B. Managing the day-to-day business operations of the Alarm Company
Operator
C. Customer billing and collections
D. Equipment procurement and inventory
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Managing the day-to-day business
operations of the Alarm Company Operator
Rationale: The Qualified Manager is defined as the individual who manages
the day-to-day business of an Alarm Company Operator, ensuring
compliance with regulations and maintaining operational standards.
,Question 6: According to BPC Section 7599.4, where must the
Qualified Manager certificate be displayed?
A. At the manager's home office
B. In a conspicuous place at the principal place of business
C. On every company vehicle
D. On the company website only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. In a conspicuous place at the principal
place of business
Rationale: The certificate shall be posted, along with the alarm company
operator license, in a conspicuous place at the principal place of business so
that it is readily visible to consumers and inspectors.
Question 7: Within how many days must a licensee notify BSIS of a
change of business address?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days
Rationale: The Alarm Company Act requires address changes to be
reported within 30 days to keep license information current and ensure the
Bureau can maintain accurate records.
Question 8: What is the maximum number of consecutive days a
Qualified Manager can be absent from the licensed alarm company
without notifying BSIS?
A. 30 days
B. 60 days
C. 90 days
D. 120 days
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 90 days
Rationale: BSIS regulations require notification if the Qualified Manager will
be absent for more than 90 consecutive days, as this affects the required
day-to-day management of the licensed business.
, Question 9: Which of the following counts as qualifying experience
for an ACQ?
A. Installing residential doorbells
B. Selling alarm systems without installation involvement
C. Managing alarm dispatch records
D. Performing non-alarm electrical work
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Managing alarm dispatch records
Rationale: Qualifying experience includes dispatch coordination, sales,
installation management, field supervision, and central station operations.
Non-alarm work and purely retail sales without alarm system involvement
do not qualify.
Question 10: How long is an Alarm Company Operator (ACO)
license valid before renewal is required?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Five years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Two years
Rationale: ACO licenses and ACQ certificates must be renewed every two
years. Renewal notices are typically mailed approximately 90 days before
expiration.
Question 11: An owner of an alarm company wishes to serve as
their own Qualified Manager. Which statement is true?
A. The owner cannot serve as Qualified Manager because they own the
company
B. An owner, partner, or corporate officer may serve as the qualified
manager
C. The owner must hire a separate Qualified Manager with no ownership
interest
D. Only a non-owner employee can serve as Qualified Manager
CORRECT ANSWER: B. An owner, partner, or corporate officer may
serve as the qualified manager
