Texas Alarm Systems Installer Licensing Exam –
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026/2027
Q&A
1. Which state agency regulates alarm system installer licensing in Texas?
A. Texas Department of Insurance
B. Texas Commission on Fire Protection
C. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
D. Texas State Board of Electrical Examiners
The Texas DPS – Private Security Bureau oversees licensing for alarm system
installers.
2. What is the minimum age to be licensed as an alarm installer in Texas?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 18
D. 21
Applicants must be at least 18 years old to qualify for licensing.
3. Which type of alarm system is primarily designed to detect intrusion?
A. Fire alarm
B. Burglar alarm
C. Supervisory alarm
D. Medical alert system
Burglar alarms detect unauthorized entry into a structure or area.
4. When installing an alarm system, which wiring method is most common for
reliability?
, A. Open splicing
B. Telephone cord
C. Twisted-pair wiring
D. Coaxial cable only
Twisted-pair wiring minimizes interference and is industry standard.
5. Which of the following requires a license in Texas?
A. Installing residential smoke detectors only
B. Installing access control and security alarm systems
C. Selling battery backup units
D. Selling safes in a store
Only activities involving alarm/security installations require licensure.
6. A monitored alarm system must be connected to:
A. Internet router only
B. Central monitoring station
C. Customer’s phone only
D. Portable radio device
A central monitoring station provides 24/7 monitoring and response.
7. Which code governs electrical safety for alarm system wiring?
A. OSHA Manual
B. Texas Building Code
C. National Electrical Code (NEC)
D. UL 325
The NEC establishes wiring methods and safety standards.
8. What is the primary function of a duress alarm?
A. Detect smoke
B. Detect flooding
C. Signal help under threat
D. Monitor temperature
A duress alarm silently signals emergency when a person is under threat.
, 9. Which license category covers both security and fire alarm installation?
A. Locksmith license
B. Electrical contractor
C. Security contractor license
D. Apprentice license
The Texas DPS Security Contractor license allows installation of both alarm
types.
10. The UL standard for burglary alarm systems is:
A. UL 2050
B. UL 325
C. UL 681
D. UL 864
UL 681 specifies installation and classification of burglary alarm systems.
11. Which of these is a false alarm reduction technique?
A. Disabling sensors
B. Decreasing monitoring
C. Adjusting sensitivity and training users
D. Turning off backup power
Proper calibration and user training reduce nuisance alarms.
12. What type of detector senses changes in heat rather than smoke?
A. Ionization detector
B. Photoelectric detector
C. Heat detector
D. Flame detector
Heat detectors respond to fixed temperature or rate-of-rise heat changes.
13. Which law sets requirements for customer contracts in alarm installation?
A. Texas Penal Code
B. OSHA Standards
C. Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026/2027
Q&A
1. Which state agency regulates alarm system installer licensing in Texas?
A. Texas Department of Insurance
B. Texas Commission on Fire Protection
C. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
D. Texas State Board of Electrical Examiners
The Texas DPS – Private Security Bureau oversees licensing for alarm system
installers.
2. What is the minimum age to be licensed as an alarm installer in Texas?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 18
D. 21
Applicants must be at least 18 years old to qualify for licensing.
3. Which type of alarm system is primarily designed to detect intrusion?
A. Fire alarm
B. Burglar alarm
C. Supervisory alarm
D. Medical alert system
Burglar alarms detect unauthorized entry into a structure or area.
4. When installing an alarm system, which wiring method is most common for
reliability?
, A. Open splicing
B. Telephone cord
C. Twisted-pair wiring
D. Coaxial cable only
Twisted-pair wiring minimizes interference and is industry standard.
5. Which of the following requires a license in Texas?
A. Installing residential smoke detectors only
B. Installing access control and security alarm systems
C. Selling battery backup units
D. Selling safes in a store
Only activities involving alarm/security installations require licensure.
6. A monitored alarm system must be connected to:
A. Internet router only
B. Central monitoring station
C. Customer’s phone only
D. Portable radio device
A central monitoring station provides 24/7 monitoring and response.
7. Which code governs electrical safety for alarm system wiring?
A. OSHA Manual
B. Texas Building Code
C. National Electrical Code (NEC)
D. UL 325
The NEC establishes wiring methods and safety standards.
8. What is the primary function of a duress alarm?
A. Detect smoke
B. Detect flooding
C. Signal help under threat
D. Monitor temperature
A duress alarm silently signals emergency when a person is under threat.
, 9. Which license category covers both security and fire alarm installation?
A. Locksmith license
B. Electrical contractor
C. Security contractor license
D. Apprentice license
The Texas DPS Security Contractor license allows installation of both alarm
types.
10. The UL standard for burglary alarm systems is:
A. UL 2050
B. UL 325
C. UL 681
D. UL 864
UL 681 specifies installation and classification of burglary alarm systems.
11. Which of these is a false alarm reduction technique?
A. Disabling sensors
B. Decreasing monitoring
C. Adjusting sensitivity and training users
D. Turning off backup power
Proper calibration and user training reduce nuisance alarms.
12. What type of detector senses changes in heat rather than smoke?
A. Ionization detector
B. Photoelectric detector
C. Heat detector
D. Flame detector
Heat detectors respond to fixed temperature or rate-of-rise heat changes.
13. Which law sets requirements for customer contracts in alarm installation?
A. Texas Penal Code
B. OSHA Standards
C. Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702
