California Alarm Company Operator
Licensing Practice Exam2026-2027 – Real
Questions with Answers & Explanations
(2026 Edition) | PDF
Overview:
This practice exam is designed for individuals preparing for the California Alarm Company
Operator (ACO) License administered by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
(BSIS). It includes 200 multiple-choice questions divided into four batches of 50 questions
each, covering all critical topics required for licensure.
Key features:
Answers in bold for quick reference.
Detailed explanations to reinforce understanding of key concepts.
Covers essential areas such as:
o Alarm system components (PIR sensors, contact sensors, glass break sensors,
keypads, control panels, sirens, strobes)
o Installation standards (UL-listed equipment, wiring, grounding, mounting,
tamper switches)
o Monitoring procedures (central station operations, verification, dispatch, silent
alarms, duress/panic alarms)
o Emergency response protocols (fire, intrusion, duress, CO alarms)
o California laws & compliance (BSIS licensing requirements, recordkeeping,
unlicensed activity, minimum age, insurance requirements)
o Best practices for reducing false alarms, maintaining system reliability, and
ensuring life-safety.
🔹 Licensing & Regulations
1. Who must hold an Alarm Company Operator (ACO) license in
California?
A) Any person installing alarm systems
B) Any person operating an alarm company that provides monitoring services
C) Only security guards
,D) Only local law enforcement
Answer: B
Operators providing alarm monitoring services must be licensed by the
California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS).
2. Which agency regulates alarm company licensing in California?
A) California Department of Public Safety
B) California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
C) California Department of Consumer Affairs
D) California Public Utilities Commission
Answer: B
BSIS oversees licensing for alarm companies and operators.
3. What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a CA Alarm Company
Operator license?
A) 18 years
B) 21 years
C) 25 years
D) 16 years
Answer: A
Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
4. Which of the following is required for a licensing application?
A) Fingerprints and background check
B) Proof of insurance
C) Payment of fees
D) All of the above
Answer: D
All are required to verify eligibility and compliance with state regulations.
5. How long is a typical Alarm Company Operator license valid before
renewal?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
,Answer: B
Licenses must be renewed every 2 years with updated fees and requirements.
🔹 Alarm Systems & Components
6. Which of the following is considered an “alarm system” under California
law?
A) Burglar alarms
B) Fire alarms
C) CCTV monitoring systems with notifications
D) All of the above
Answer: D
All these systems fall under BSIS regulations if they are used for security
monitoring.
7. What is the primary purpose of a control panel in an alarm system?
A) Store video recordings
B) Process signals from sensors and communicate alarms
C) Monitor employee activity
D) Prevent power outages
Answer: B
The control panel manages input from sensors and triggers alerts or
notifications.
8. Which type of sensor detects unauthorized entry through doors and
windows?
A) Motion sensor
B) Contact or magnetic sensor
C) Glass break sensor
D) Smoke detector
Answer: B
Contact sensors detect door or window openings.
, 9. What type of alarm is triggered by breaking a window?
A) Motion sensor alarm
B) Glass break sensor alarm
C) Carbon monoxide alarm
D) Fire alarm
Answer: B
Glass break sensors detect the frequency of breaking glass.
10. Which component provides backup power in an alarm system?
A) Transformer
B) Battery
C) Siren
D) Control panel
Answer: B
Batteries ensure the system continues operating during power failures.
🔹 Installation Standards
11. What is the minimum height for wall-mounted motion detectors in
commercial installations?
A) 3–4 feet
B) 6–8 feet
C) 10–12 feet
D) 2 feet
Answer: B
Mounted high enough to cover the detection area without obstruction.
12. Which wiring standard is typically required for alarm systems?
A) Nonmetallic sheathed cable (NM)
B) UL-listed alarm wiring
C) Standard household wiring
D) None
Answer: B
UL-listed wiring ensures safety and compliance.
Licensing Practice Exam2026-2027 – Real
Questions with Answers & Explanations
(2026 Edition) | PDF
Overview:
This practice exam is designed for individuals preparing for the California Alarm Company
Operator (ACO) License administered by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
(BSIS). It includes 200 multiple-choice questions divided into four batches of 50 questions
each, covering all critical topics required for licensure.
Key features:
Answers in bold for quick reference.
Detailed explanations to reinforce understanding of key concepts.
Covers essential areas such as:
o Alarm system components (PIR sensors, contact sensors, glass break sensors,
keypads, control panels, sirens, strobes)
o Installation standards (UL-listed equipment, wiring, grounding, mounting,
tamper switches)
o Monitoring procedures (central station operations, verification, dispatch, silent
alarms, duress/panic alarms)
o Emergency response protocols (fire, intrusion, duress, CO alarms)
o California laws & compliance (BSIS licensing requirements, recordkeeping,
unlicensed activity, minimum age, insurance requirements)
o Best practices for reducing false alarms, maintaining system reliability, and
ensuring life-safety.
🔹 Licensing & Regulations
1. Who must hold an Alarm Company Operator (ACO) license in
California?
A) Any person installing alarm systems
B) Any person operating an alarm company that provides monitoring services
C) Only security guards
,D) Only local law enforcement
Answer: B
Operators providing alarm monitoring services must be licensed by the
California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS).
2. Which agency regulates alarm company licensing in California?
A) California Department of Public Safety
B) California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
C) California Department of Consumer Affairs
D) California Public Utilities Commission
Answer: B
BSIS oversees licensing for alarm companies and operators.
3. What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a CA Alarm Company
Operator license?
A) 18 years
B) 21 years
C) 25 years
D) 16 years
Answer: A
Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
4. Which of the following is required for a licensing application?
A) Fingerprints and background check
B) Proof of insurance
C) Payment of fees
D) All of the above
Answer: D
All are required to verify eligibility and compliance with state regulations.
5. How long is a typical Alarm Company Operator license valid before
renewal?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
,Answer: B
Licenses must be renewed every 2 years with updated fees and requirements.
🔹 Alarm Systems & Components
6. Which of the following is considered an “alarm system” under California
law?
A) Burglar alarms
B) Fire alarms
C) CCTV monitoring systems with notifications
D) All of the above
Answer: D
All these systems fall under BSIS regulations if they are used for security
monitoring.
7. What is the primary purpose of a control panel in an alarm system?
A) Store video recordings
B) Process signals from sensors and communicate alarms
C) Monitor employee activity
D) Prevent power outages
Answer: B
The control panel manages input from sensors and triggers alerts or
notifications.
8. Which type of sensor detects unauthorized entry through doors and
windows?
A) Motion sensor
B) Contact or magnetic sensor
C) Glass break sensor
D) Smoke detector
Answer: B
Contact sensors detect door or window openings.
, 9. What type of alarm is triggered by breaking a window?
A) Motion sensor alarm
B) Glass break sensor alarm
C) Carbon monoxide alarm
D) Fire alarm
Answer: B
Glass break sensors detect the frequency of breaking glass.
10. Which component provides backup power in an alarm system?
A) Transformer
B) Battery
C) Siren
D) Control panel
Answer: B
Batteries ensure the system continues operating during power failures.
🔹 Installation Standards
11. What is the minimum height for wall-mounted motion detectors in
commercial installations?
A) 3–4 feet
B) 6–8 feet
C) 10–12 feet
D) 2 feet
Answer: B
Mounted high enough to cover the detection area without obstruction.
12. Which wiring standard is typically required for alarm systems?
A) Nonmetallic sheathed cable (NM)
B) UL-listed alarm wiring
C) Standard household wiring
D) None
Answer: B
UL-listed wiring ensures safety and compliance.
