Page 1 of 164
CALIFORNIA ALARM COMPANY
QUALIFIED MANAGER (ACQM) EXAM
WITH DETAILED ANSWER RATIONALES
& STUDY GUIDE | LATEST EDITION | A+
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| SECTION | TOPIC AREA | QUESTION RANGE | |
|---------|-------------|----------------|------|
| **I** | **Licensing, Certification & BSIS Regulatory Framework** | Questions 1–45 |
| **II** | **Alarm Company Operations & Business Management** | Questions 46–90 |
| **III** | **Alarm Agent Registration, Training & Supervision** | Questions 91–130 |
| **IV** | **Laws, Regulations & Consumer Protection Compliance** | Questions 131–175 |
| **V** | **Alarm Systems: Installation, Monitoring, Service & Technical Standards** | Questions 176–225 |
| **VI** | **False Alarms, Emergency Procedures & Safety Standards** | Questions 226–260 | |
,Page 2 of 164
SECTION I: LICENSING, CERTIFICATION & BSIS REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
**Questions 1–45**
**Question 1**
Which California state agency is responsible for licensing and regulating Alarm Company
Operators (ACOs) and Alarm Company Qualified Managers (ACQMs)?
A) California Department of Insurance
B) Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
C) California Public Utilities Commission
D) Department of Consumer Affairs, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), a division of the
California Department of Consumer Affairs, is the regulatory body responsible for licensing and
regulating alarm company operators, qualified managers, and alarm agents under the Alarm
Company Act (Business and Professions Code sections 7590–7599.75) and Title 16, Division 7
of the California Code of Regulations.
**Question 2**
What is the minimum age requirement to apply for an Alarm Company Qualified Manager
(ACQM) certificate in California?
A) 18 years of age
,Page 3 of 164
B) 21 years of age
C) 25 years of age
D) There is no age requirement
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Under Business and Professions Code section 7599, an applicant for a qualified
manager certificate must be at least 18 years of age. While some sources incorrectly state 21, the
statutory requirement for the ACQM certificate itself is 18. The age of 21 applies to firearms
permit applicants under BPC section 7596.3.
---
**Question 3**
How many hours of compensated alarm company work experience are required to qualify for an
Alarm Company Qualified Manager certificate?
A) 2,000 hours
B) 3,000 hours
C) 4,000 hours
D) 6,000 hours
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** California law requires at least two years of experience in alarm company work,
which is defined as a minimum of 4,000 hours of compensated time. One year of experience is
considered to be a minimum of 2,000 hours of compensated time for the specific license filed.
, Page 4 of 164
**Question 4**
What is the minimum passing score required on the Alarm Company Qualified Manager
examination?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The Alarm Company Act requires a minimum passing score of 70% on the
Qualified Manager examination. This threshold applies to the multiple-choice examination
covering California law, the Alarm Company Act, alarm agent requirements, weapons laws,
business management, and Power to Arrest.
---
**Question 5**
Under the Alarm Company Act, how many different licensed alarm companies can a single
Qualified Manager actively manage at the same time?
A) Only 1 licensed entity at a time
B) Up to 2 licensed entities, provided both are within 50 miles
C) Up to 3 licensed entities with Bureau approval
D) Unlimited, as long as all are within California
CALIFORNIA ALARM COMPANY
QUALIFIED MANAGER (ACQM) EXAM
WITH DETAILED ANSWER RATIONALES
& STUDY GUIDE | LATEST EDITION | A+
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| SECTION | TOPIC AREA | QUESTION RANGE | |
|---------|-------------|----------------|------|
| **I** | **Licensing, Certification & BSIS Regulatory Framework** | Questions 1–45 |
| **II** | **Alarm Company Operations & Business Management** | Questions 46–90 |
| **III** | **Alarm Agent Registration, Training & Supervision** | Questions 91–130 |
| **IV** | **Laws, Regulations & Consumer Protection Compliance** | Questions 131–175 |
| **V** | **Alarm Systems: Installation, Monitoring, Service & Technical Standards** | Questions 176–225 |
| **VI** | **False Alarms, Emergency Procedures & Safety Standards** | Questions 226–260 | |
,Page 2 of 164
SECTION I: LICENSING, CERTIFICATION & BSIS REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
**Questions 1–45**
**Question 1**
Which California state agency is responsible for licensing and regulating Alarm Company
Operators (ACOs) and Alarm Company Qualified Managers (ACQMs)?
A) California Department of Insurance
B) Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
C) California Public Utilities Commission
D) Department of Consumer Affairs, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), a division of the
California Department of Consumer Affairs, is the regulatory body responsible for licensing and
regulating alarm company operators, qualified managers, and alarm agents under the Alarm
Company Act (Business and Professions Code sections 7590–7599.75) and Title 16, Division 7
of the California Code of Regulations.
**Question 2**
What is the minimum age requirement to apply for an Alarm Company Qualified Manager
(ACQM) certificate in California?
A) 18 years of age
,Page 3 of 164
B) 21 years of age
C) 25 years of age
D) There is no age requirement
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Under Business and Professions Code section 7599, an applicant for a qualified
manager certificate must be at least 18 years of age. While some sources incorrectly state 21, the
statutory requirement for the ACQM certificate itself is 18. The age of 21 applies to firearms
permit applicants under BPC section 7596.3.
---
**Question 3**
How many hours of compensated alarm company work experience are required to qualify for an
Alarm Company Qualified Manager certificate?
A) 2,000 hours
B) 3,000 hours
C) 4,000 hours
D) 6,000 hours
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** California law requires at least two years of experience in alarm company work,
which is defined as a minimum of 4,000 hours of compensated time. One year of experience is
considered to be a minimum of 2,000 hours of compensated time for the specific license filed.
, Page 4 of 164
**Question 4**
What is the minimum passing score required on the Alarm Company Qualified Manager
examination?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The Alarm Company Act requires a minimum passing score of 70% on the
Qualified Manager examination. This threshold applies to the multiple-choice examination
covering California law, the Alarm Company Act, alarm agent requirements, weapons laws,
business management, and Power to Arrest.
---
**Question 5**
Under the Alarm Company Act, how many different licensed alarm companies can a single
Qualified Manager actively manage at the same time?
A) Only 1 licensed entity at a time
B) Up to 2 licensed entities, provided both are within 50 miles
C) Up to 3 licensed entities with Bureau approval
D) Unlimited, as long as all are within California
