Tennessee Alarm Systems Contractor Exam
Practice Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale
Question 1
Requirement after an employee discharges a firearm
Correct Answer
A written report must be submitted by the employer to IDFPR within 15 days of the
incident and retained for at least 5 years.
Question 2
Employee screening for Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC)
Correct Answer
All employees must undergo a fingerprint-based criminal background check and
receive approval from IDFPR prior to being issued a PERC.
Page 1 of 69
,Question 3
Purpose of a Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC)
Correct Answer
Certifies that an employee has met minimum requirements including a criminal
background check and is eligible to work for a licensed alarm contractor.
Question 1: According to the Tennessee Alarm Contractors Licensing Act of 1991
(Tenn. Code Ann. Title 62, Chapter 32), which of the following best defines an “alarm
systems contractor” for purposes of state licensing and regulation?
A. Any person who only sells batteries for residential smoke detectors
B. Any person, firm, association or corporation that sells, installs, services or
monitors alarm systems, signal devices, fire alarms, burglar alarms, or cameras used
to detect fire, burglary or intrusion
C. Only companies that manufacture fire alarm control panels
D. Electricians holding a CE license who perform work under 50 volts
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Any person, firm, association or corporation that sells, installs,
services or monitors alarm systems, signal devices, fire alarms, burglar alarms, or
cameras used to detect fire, burglary or intrusion
Rationale: Tennessee law specifically defines an alarm systems contractor as any
entity engaged in the sale, installation, service or monitoring of systems that detect
or signal burglary, fire, robbery or related emergencies, establishing the scope of
regulated activity.
Question 2: Under Tennessee regulations for alarm systems contractors, how many
classifications of alarm systems contractor certification are recognized by the Board?
A. Two – Fire and Burglar only
B. Three – Fire, Burglar and Monitoring
C. Four – Burglar alarm systems, fire alarm systems, monitoring, and closed circuit
television
D. Five – including access control as a separate class
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Four – Burglar alarm systems, fire alarm systems, monitoring,
and closed circuit television
Rationale: The Tennessee Alarm Systems Contractors Board recognizes four distinct
classifications: burglar alarm systems, fire alarm systems, monitoring, and closed
circuit television (CCTV), and a qualifying agent must hold the appropriate
classification(s) for the work performed.
Question 3: In accordance with NFPA 72 requirements commonly tested on the
Tennessee Fire Alarm Qualifying Agent exam, what is the primary purpose of a
Page 2 of 69
,secondary power supply for a fire alarm system?
A. To provide power only during system testing
B. To ensure continuous operation of the fire alarm system for a specified period
when the primary power supply fails
C. To charge the system batteries exclusively
D. To power only the notification appliances
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To ensure continuous operation of the fire alarm system for a
specified period when the primary power supply fails
Rationale: NFPA 72 mandates a secondary power supply capable of operating the
system under maximum normal load for a defined duration (typically 24 hours)
followed by the required alarm operation time, ensuring reliability during primary
power loss.
Question 4: According to NEC Article 760, which wiring method is generally required
for non-power-limited fire alarm circuits when installed in a building?
A. Any Class 2 cable without restrictions
B. Methods suitable for the location and in accordance with the requirements for
the circuit classification, often requiring specific cable types or raceways
C. Standard NM cable in all locations
D. Only fiber-optic cable
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Methods suitable for the location and in accordance with the
requirements for the circuit classification, often requiring specific cable types or
raceways
Rationale: NEC Article 760 distinguishes between power-limited and non-power-
limited fire alarm circuits and specifies that non-power-limited circuits must use
wiring methods appropriate to the voltage and location, typically more robust than
power-limited methods.
Question 5: Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-32-303, which of the following is considered
prima facie evidence that an individual does not possess “good moral character” for
purposes of alarm contractor licensing?
A. A minor traffic violation
B. Conviction of a crime involving the illegal use, possession, sale or distribution of a
controlled substance, or felonious assault, or unlawful breaking or entering
C. Failure to complete continuing education on time
D. A civil lawsuit unrelated to alarm work
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Conviction of a crime involving the illegal use, possession, sale
or distribution of a controlled substance, or felonious assault, or unlawful breaking or
entering
Page 3 of 69
, Rationale: The statute explicitly lists certain criminal convictions, including drug-
related offenses, felonious assault, and unlawful breaking or entering, as prima facie
evidence of lack of good moral character, which can disqualify an applicant.
Question 6: When performing battery calculations for a fire alarm system secondary
power supply under NFPA 72, what is the typical required standby duration for a
system that is not required to be monitored by a supervising station?
A. 4 hours
B. 24 hours of standby followed by 5 minutes of alarm operation
C. 60 hours of standby
D. 12 hours of standby only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 24 hours of standby followed by 5 minutes of alarm operation
Rationale: NFPA 72 generally requires secondary power to support 24 hours of
standby operation under maximum normal load and then the required alarm
operation time (often 5 or 15 minutes depending on system type and occupancy).
Question 7: In Tennessee, what is the minimum experience requirement for an
applicant seeking to become a Qualifying Agent when relying on a national
certification rather than a post-high-school degree?
A. One year of any electrical experience
B. At least three years of working experience in the alarm industry covering the
actual installation of alarm systems
C. Five years of monitoring experience only
D. No experience is required if the national certification is held
CORRECT ANSWER: B. At least three years of working experience in the alarm
industry covering the actual installation of alarm systems
Rationale: Tennessee law requires that applicants using the national certification
path must also document a minimum of three years of relevant alarm industry
installation experience in addition to holding an approved certification.
Question 8: According to NFPA 72, what is the maximum spacing typically allowed for
smoke detectors on a smooth ceiling under standard conditions (assuming no special
considerations)?
A. 15 feet on center
B. 30 feet on center
C. 50 feet on center
D. 10 feet on center
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 feet on center
Page 4 of 69
Practice Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale
Question 1
Requirement after an employee discharges a firearm
Correct Answer
A written report must be submitted by the employer to IDFPR within 15 days of the
incident and retained for at least 5 years.
Question 2
Employee screening for Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC)
Correct Answer
All employees must undergo a fingerprint-based criminal background check and
receive approval from IDFPR prior to being issued a PERC.
Page 1 of 69
,Question 3
Purpose of a Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC)
Correct Answer
Certifies that an employee has met minimum requirements including a criminal
background check and is eligible to work for a licensed alarm contractor.
Question 1: According to the Tennessee Alarm Contractors Licensing Act of 1991
(Tenn. Code Ann. Title 62, Chapter 32), which of the following best defines an “alarm
systems contractor” for purposes of state licensing and regulation?
A. Any person who only sells batteries for residential smoke detectors
B. Any person, firm, association or corporation that sells, installs, services or
monitors alarm systems, signal devices, fire alarms, burglar alarms, or cameras used
to detect fire, burglary or intrusion
C. Only companies that manufacture fire alarm control panels
D. Electricians holding a CE license who perform work under 50 volts
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Any person, firm, association or corporation that sells, installs,
services or monitors alarm systems, signal devices, fire alarms, burglar alarms, or
cameras used to detect fire, burglary or intrusion
Rationale: Tennessee law specifically defines an alarm systems contractor as any
entity engaged in the sale, installation, service or monitoring of systems that detect
or signal burglary, fire, robbery or related emergencies, establishing the scope of
regulated activity.
Question 2: Under Tennessee regulations for alarm systems contractors, how many
classifications of alarm systems contractor certification are recognized by the Board?
A. Two – Fire and Burglar only
B. Three – Fire, Burglar and Monitoring
C. Four – Burglar alarm systems, fire alarm systems, monitoring, and closed circuit
television
D. Five – including access control as a separate class
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Four – Burglar alarm systems, fire alarm systems, monitoring,
and closed circuit television
Rationale: The Tennessee Alarm Systems Contractors Board recognizes four distinct
classifications: burglar alarm systems, fire alarm systems, monitoring, and closed
circuit television (CCTV), and a qualifying agent must hold the appropriate
classification(s) for the work performed.
Question 3: In accordance with NFPA 72 requirements commonly tested on the
Tennessee Fire Alarm Qualifying Agent exam, what is the primary purpose of a
Page 2 of 69
,secondary power supply for a fire alarm system?
A. To provide power only during system testing
B. To ensure continuous operation of the fire alarm system for a specified period
when the primary power supply fails
C. To charge the system batteries exclusively
D. To power only the notification appliances
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To ensure continuous operation of the fire alarm system for a
specified period when the primary power supply fails
Rationale: NFPA 72 mandates a secondary power supply capable of operating the
system under maximum normal load for a defined duration (typically 24 hours)
followed by the required alarm operation time, ensuring reliability during primary
power loss.
Question 4: According to NEC Article 760, which wiring method is generally required
for non-power-limited fire alarm circuits when installed in a building?
A. Any Class 2 cable without restrictions
B. Methods suitable for the location and in accordance with the requirements for
the circuit classification, often requiring specific cable types or raceways
C. Standard NM cable in all locations
D. Only fiber-optic cable
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Methods suitable for the location and in accordance with the
requirements for the circuit classification, often requiring specific cable types or
raceways
Rationale: NEC Article 760 distinguishes between power-limited and non-power-
limited fire alarm circuits and specifies that non-power-limited circuits must use
wiring methods appropriate to the voltage and location, typically more robust than
power-limited methods.
Question 5: Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-32-303, which of the following is considered
prima facie evidence that an individual does not possess “good moral character” for
purposes of alarm contractor licensing?
A. A minor traffic violation
B. Conviction of a crime involving the illegal use, possession, sale or distribution of a
controlled substance, or felonious assault, or unlawful breaking or entering
C. Failure to complete continuing education on time
D. A civil lawsuit unrelated to alarm work
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Conviction of a crime involving the illegal use, possession, sale
or distribution of a controlled substance, or felonious assault, or unlawful breaking or
entering
Page 3 of 69
, Rationale: The statute explicitly lists certain criminal convictions, including drug-
related offenses, felonious assault, and unlawful breaking or entering, as prima facie
evidence of lack of good moral character, which can disqualify an applicant.
Question 6: When performing battery calculations for a fire alarm system secondary
power supply under NFPA 72, what is the typical required standby duration for a
system that is not required to be monitored by a supervising station?
A. 4 hours
B. 24 hours of standby followed by 5 minutes of alarm operation
C. 60 hours of standby
D. 12 hours of standby only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 24 hours of standby followed by 5 minutes of alarm operation
Rationale: NFPA 72 generally requires secondary power to support 24 hours of
standby operation under maximum normal load and then the required alarm
operation time (often 5 or 15 minutes depending on system type and occupancy).
Question 7: In Tennessee, what is the minimum experience requirement for an
applicant seeking to become a Qualifying Agent when relying on a national
certification rather than a post-high-school degree?
A. One year of any electrical experience
B. At least three years of working experience in the alarm industry covering the
actual installation of alarm systems
C. Five years of monitoring experience only
D. No experience is required if the national certification is held
CORRECT ANSWER: B. At least three years of working experience in the alarm
industry covering the actual installation of alarm systems
Rationale: Tennessee law requires that applicants using the national certification
path must also document a minimum of three years of relevant alarm industry
installation experience in addition to holding an approved certification.
Question 8: According to NFPA 72, what is the maximum spacing typically allowed for
smoke detectors on a smooth ceiling under standard conditions (assuming no special
considerations)?
A. 15 feet on center
B. 30 feet on center
C. 50 feet on center
D. 10 feet on center
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 feet on center
Page 4 of 69
