California Alarm Company Qualified Manager (ACQ) Exam Bank Questions
with Verified Answers | Latest Update
Question 1: Under the California Alarm Company Act (Business and Professions Code Section 7590 et
seq.), within how many days must an Alarm Company Operator (ACO) notify the Bureau of Security
and Investigative Services (BSIS) of any change in its qualified manager?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days
Rationale: Pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 7594.3, an alarm company operator must
report any change of a qualified manager to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) in
writing within 30 days of the change. Failure to notify the bureau within this timeframe can result in
administrative fines or license suspension.
Question 2: According to BSIS regulations, what is the minimum age requirement for an applicant
seeking to qualify as a designated Qualified Manager for an Alarm Company Operator license?
A. 18 years old
B. 21 years old
C. 25 years old
D. There is no age requirement as long as experience criteria are met
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 18 years old
Rationale: California Business and Professions Code Section 7592.1 specifies that an applicant for an
Alarm Company Qualified Manager certificate must be at least 18 years of age, pass a background check,
and demonstrate two years of verified qualifying experience in the alarm industry.
Question 3: What is the primary difference between a hardwired supervised initiating device circuit
(IDC) Class A and Class B wiring configuration in fire and intrusion alarm systems?
A. Class A circuits require wireless backup transmitters, whereas Class B circuits use only physical wire
runs.
,B. Class A circuits include a redundant return path allowing operational capability during a single open
fault, whereas Class B circuits do not.
C. Class B circuits operate at 120VAC, while Class A circuits operate at 24VDC power levels.
D. Class B circuits use End-of-Line (EOL) resistors at the panel, while Class A circuits do not use resistors
anywhere in the system.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Class A circuits include a redundant return path allowing operational capability
during a single open fault, whereas Class B circuits do not.
Rationale: Class A wiring provides a redundant signaling path returning back to the control units,
allowing the circuit to transmit an alarm signal even if a single open or ground fault occurs on the line.
Class B circuits lack this return loop, meaning a single open fault will disable device reporting
downstream of the break.
Question 4: Which California state regulatory agency is directly responsible for licensing, regulating,
and disciplining Alarm Company Operators and Qualified Managers?
A. California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
B. Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
C. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
D. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
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 (DCA), governs the licensing and enforcement of Alarm Company
Operators (ACO), Qualified Managers (ACQ), and registered Alarm Agents under the Alarm Company Act.
Question 5: What component is required on a secondary power supply battery installation to prevent
thermal runaway and overcharging in an alarm control panel?
A. Step-down transformer
B. Temperature-compensated battery charger
C. High-pass inductive filter
D. Line isolation monitor
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Temperature-compensated battery charger
,Rationale: NFPA guidelines and standard alarm engineering principles require charging systems to adjust
charging voltage based on ambient temperature. A temperature-compensated battery charger prevents
battery overcharging, thermal runaway, and premature degradation in standby power supplies.
Question 6: Under California law, how long must an Alarm Company Operator maintain employee
records, including employee registration applications and background verification documents, after
the termination of employment?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 3 years
Rationale: Business and Professions Code Section 7599.36 dictates that an Alarm Company Operator
must maintain complete records of all employees, including their registration applications and personnel
records, for at least two to three years depending on record type, with 3 years being the required
retention baseline for general personnel records and proof of registration status.
Question 7: What is the purpose of an End-of-Line (EOL) resistor in a conventional intrusion alarm zone
loop?
A. To lower current draw to preserve primary battery life during standby mode
B. To allow the control panel to supervise the wiring integrity for open and short circuit conditions
C. To step down the voltage from 24VDC to 12VDC for motion detectors
D. To absorb high-voltage lightning surges coming from outdoor alarm devices
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To allow the control panel to supervise the wiring integrity for open and short
circuit conditions
Rationale: An EOL resistor creates a measurable reference current in the zone loop. By placing the
resistor at the end of the line, the panel can detect a drop in current (indicating an open circuit or broken
wire) or a rise in current (indicating a short circuit across the wires), providing supervised circuit
monitoring.
Question 8: In accordance with National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72), what is the
minimum required backup standby battery capacity for a commercial protective premises fire alarm
system?
A. 12 hours of standby power plus 5 minutes of alarm notification power
, B. 24 hours of standby power plus 5 minutes of alarm notification power
C. 48 hours of standby power plus 15 minutes of alarm notification power
D. 72 hours of standby power plus 30 minutes of alarm notification power
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 24 hours of standby power plus 5 minutes of alarm notification power
Rationale: NFPA 72 specifies that secondary power supplies for protected premises fire alarm systems
must operate the system under normal non-alarm conditions for at least 24 hours and, at the end of that
period, be capable of operating all required notification appliances for at least 5 minutes (or 15 minutes
for emergency voice communications).
Question 9: What administrative action must a Qualified Manager take if an alarm agent employee
commits a violation of the Alarm Company Act resulting in arrest or criminal conviction?
A. Immediately cancel the company's operating license until an internal audit is finished
B. Submit written notification to BSIS within 30 days detailing the circumstances
C. Fire the employee immediately without keeping any records
D. Report the violation exclusively to local law enforcement
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Submit written notification to BSIS within 30 days detailing the circumstances
Rationale: Alarm Company Operators and Qualified Managers are required to notify BSIS in writing
within 30 days regarding disciplinary actions, arrests, or convictions involving registered alarm agents
working under their management.
Question 10: Which type of motion detector technology utilizes the Doppler shift principle to detect
moving targets within a secured space?
A. Passive Infrared (PIR)
B. Dual-technology Photoelectric
C. Microwave Detector
D. Glassbreak Acoustic Sensor
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Microwave Detector
Rationale: Microwave motion sensors emit high-frequency radio waves and measure the frequency shift
of the reflected waves (Doppler effect) caused by a moving object. Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors, by
contrast, measure changes in thermal radiation patterns.
with Verified Answers | Latest Update
Question 1: Under the California Alarm Company Act (Business and Professions Code Section 7590 et
seq.), within how many days must an Alarm Company Operator (ACO) notify the Bureau of Security
and Investigative Services (BSIS) of any change in its qualified manager?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days
Rationale: Pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 7594.3, an alarm company operator must
report any change of a qualified manager to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) in
writing within 30 days of the change. Failure to notify the bureau within this timeframe can result in
administrative fines or license suspension.
Question 2: According to BSIS regulations, what is the minimum age requirement for an applicant
seeking to qualify as a designated Qualified Manager for an Alarm Company Operator license?
A. 18 years old
B. 21 years old
C. 25 years old
D. There is no age requirement as long as experience criteria are met
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 18 years old
Rationale: California Business and Professions Code Section 7592.1 specifies that an applicant for an
Alarm Company Qualified Manager certificate must be at least 18 years of age, pass a background check,
and demonstrate two years of verified qualifying experience in the alarm industry.
Question 3: What is the primary difference between a hardwired supervised initiating device circuit
(IDC) Class A and Class B wiring configuration in fire and intrusion alarm systems?
A. Class A circuits require wireless backup transmitters, whereas Class B circuits use only physical wire
runs.
,B. Class A circuits include a redundant return path allowing operational capability during a single open
fault, whereas Class B circuits do not.
C. Class B circuits operate at 120VAC, while Class A circuits operate at 24VDC power levels.
D. Class B circuits use End-of-Line (EOL) resistors at the panel, while Class A circuits do not use resistors
anywhere in the system.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Class A circuits include a redundant return path allowing operational capability
during a single open fault, whereas Class B circuits do not.
Rationale: Class A wiring provides a redundant signaling path returning back to the control units,
allowing the circuit to transmit an alarm signal even if a single open or ground fault occurs on the line.
Class B circuits lack this return loop, meaning a single open fault will disable device reporting
downstream of the break.
Question 4: Which California state regulatory agency is directly responsible for licensing, regulating,
and disciplining Alarm Company Operators and Qualified Managers?
A. California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
B. Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
C. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
D. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
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 (DCA), governs the licensing and enforcement of Alarm Company
Operators (ACO), Qualified Managers (ACQ), and registered Alarm Agents under the Alarm Company Act.
Question 5: What component is required on a secondary power supply battery installation to prevent
thermal runaway and overcharging in an alarm control panel?
A. Step-down transformer
B. Temperature-compensated battery charger
C. High-pass inductive filter
D. Line isolation monitor
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Temperature-compensated battery charger
,Rationale: NFPA guidelines and standard alarm engineering principles require charging systems to adjust
charging voltage based on ambient temperature. A temperature-compensated battery charger prevents
battery overcharging, thermal runaway, and premature degradation in standby power supplies.
Question 6: Under California law, how long must an Alarm Company Operator maintain employee
records, including employee registration applications and background verification documents, after
the termination of employment?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 3 years
Rationale: Business and Professions Code Section 7599.36 dictates that an Alarm Company Operator
must maintain complete records of all employees, including their registration applications and personnel
records, for at least two to three years depending on record type, with 3 years being the required
retention baseline for general personnel records and proof of registration status.
Question 7: What is the purpose of an End-of-Line (EOL) resistor in a conventional intrusion alarm zone
loop?
A. To lower current draw to preserve primary battery life during standby mode
B. To allow the control panel to supervise the wiring integrity for open and short circuit conditions
C. To step down the voltage from 24VDC to 12VDC for motion detectors
D. To absorb high-voltage lightning surges coming from outdoor alarm devices
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To allow the control panel to supervise the wiring integrity for open and short
circuit conditions
Rationale: An EOL resistor creates a measurable reference current in the zone loop. By placing the
resistor at the end of the line, the panel can detect a drop in current (indicating an open circuit or broken
wire) or a rise in current (indicating a short circuit across the wires), providing supervised circuit
monitoring.
Question 8: In accordance with National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72), what is the
minimum required backup standby battery capacity for a commercial protective premises fire alarm
system?
A. 12 hours of standby power plus 5 minutes of alarm notification power
, B. 24 hours of standby power plus 5 minutes of alarm notification power
C. 48 hours of standby power plus 15 minutes of alarm notification power
D. 72 hours of standby power plus 30 minutes of alarm notification power
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 24 hours of standby power plus 5 minutes of alarm notification power
Rationale: NFPA 72 specifies that secondary power supplies for protected premises fire alarm systems
must operate the system under normal non-alarm conditions for at least 24 hours and, at the end of that
period, be capable of operating all required notification appliances for at least 5 minutes (or 15 minutes
for emergency voice communications).
Question 9: What administrative action must a Qualified Manager take if an alarm agent employee
commits a violation of the Alarm Company Act resulting in arrest or criminal conviction?
A. Immediately cancel the company's operating license until an internal audit is finished
B. Submit written notification to BSIS within 30 days detailing the circumstances
C. Fire the employee immediately without keeping any records
D. Report the violation exclusively to local law enforcement
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Submit written notification to BSIS within 30 days detailing the circumstances
Rationale: Alarm Company Operators and Qualified Managers are required to notify BSIS in writing
within 30 days regarding disciplinary actions, arrests, or convictions involving registered alarm agents
working under their management.
Question 10: Which type of motion detector technology utilizes the Doppler shift principle to detect
moving targets within a secured space?
A. Passive Infrared (PIR)
B. Dual-technology Photoelectric
C. Microwave Detector
D. Glassbreak Acoustic Sensor
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Microwave Detector
Rationale: Microwave motion sensors emit high-frequency radio waves and measure the frequency shift
of the reflected waves (Doppler effect) caused by a moving object. Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors, by
contrast, measure changes in thermal radiation patterns.
