California Burglar Alarm License Requirements: ACO & BSIS Complete Guide

California requires an Alarm Company Operator (ACO) license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) to install, service, or monitor burglar alarm systems. This is separate from contractor licensing and applies to all alarm work in the state. Here's what contractors need to know.

Understanding California Alarm Licensing

California has a unique dual-licensing structure for alarm work that confuses many contractors:

License	Issuing Agency	Required For
ACO (Alarm Company Operator)	BSIS	ALL burglar alarm installation, service, and monitoring
C-7 Low Voltage	CSLB	Other low voltage work (intercom, data, sound, video)
C-10 Electrical	CSLB	Fire alarm systems (not burglar)

Critical distinction: Unlike many states, California regulates burglar alarms through BSIS (security licensing), not CSLB (contractor licensing). Having a C-7 or C-10 license does NOT authorize you to install burglar alarms.

ACO License Requirements

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services regulates all alarm company operators in California.

Eligibility Requirements

Requirement	Details
Experience	2 years (4,000 hours) paid experience in alarm company work
Background Check	Live Scan fingerprinting, FBI/DOJ background check
Examination	2-hour multiple choice exam covering CA law, Alarm Company Act, technical knowledge
Age	18 years or older
In-State Address	Must maintain California business address (required for renewals)
No Violations	No offenses that would be grounds for license denial under Alarm Company Act

ACO Exam Topics

The BSIS exam covers:

• Ohm's Law calculations and circuit diagrams
• Battery calculations for backup power
• Relay forms and wiring
• Wire types and gauge selection
• California Business and Labor Law
• BSIS regulations and procedures
• False alarm reduction requirements
• Power to Arrest training

License Fees and Renewal

Item	Cost
ACO Application	Varies by entity type
License Validity	2 years
Renewal	Required every 2 years
LLC Insurance	$1 million general liability minimum (required for LLCs)

Alarm Company Qualified Manager (ACQM)

If you want to run an alarm business (not just work as an employee), you also need an Alarm Company Qualified Manager (ACQM) designation. This person is responsible for the company's compliance with regulations.

What About Fire Alarms?

Fire alarms are regulated differently in California:

• Fire alarms: Require a C-10 Electrical Contractor license from CSLB, NOT an ACO license
• Burglar alarms: Require an ACO license from BSIS, NOT a C-7 or C-10
• Combination systems: May require both licenses

This is the opposite of what many contractors expect. Fire alarms go through electrical licensing; burglar alarms go through security licensing.

Local Alarm Permit Requirements

Beyond state licensing, most California cities require the alarm system USER (homeowner or business) to obtain a local alarm permit. As the installer, you should inform customers about this requirement.

Los Angeles

The LA Alarm Ordinance requires all alarm systems to be permitted:

• Initial Fee: $43.00
• Annual Renewal: $30.00
• Penalty: Operating without a permit is a misdemeanor (up to $1,000 fine or 1 year jail)
• False Alarm Fines: LAPD responds to 6,000-7,000 alarm calls monthly; 90%+ are false. Excessive false alarms result in fines.

San Diego

San Diego requires permits for burglary, robbery, fire, and harmful gas alarm systems:

• Apply online through the San Diego Police Department
• Both residential and commercial properties require permits
• False alarm penalties apply after multiple incidents

Other California Cities

Most California cities follow similar patterns with varying fees:

City	Initial Fee	Annual Renewal
Malibu	$55.00	$34.00
Santa Monica	$29.20	$29.20
Other cities	Varies	Varies

Best practice: Provide customers with the local alarm permit application as part of your installation package. Many installers include permit assistance as a value-add service.

Building Permits for Alarm Installation

Building permits (separate from alarm permits) are generally NOT required for burglar alarm installation in California, with some exceptions:

Typically Permit-Exempt

• Wireless alarm systems
• Low voltage hardwired systems under 25V/50W
• Residential burglar alarm installation
• Retrofit installations in existing buildings

May Require Building Permit

• Commercial installations (varies by city)
• New construction (typically included in building permit)
• Systems requiring structural modifications
• Integrated access control with door hardware changes

Los Angeles County Exemptions

Per LA County Electrical Code Section 82-3, residential burglar/fire alarm systems typically don't require electrical permits if:

• Operating at less than 25 volts and not exceeding 50 watts
• Low-energy circuits with rated output under 30 volts and 1,000 volt-amperes

Major Cities: Specific Requirements

Los Angeles

• ACO License: Required (state requirement)
• Alarm Permit: Required through LA Office of Finance
• Building Permit: Usually not required for low voltage
• False Alarm Reduction: Strict enforcement

San Francisco

• ACO License: Required (state requirement)
• Alarm Permit: Required through SFPD
• Building Permit: Commercial may require permit

San Diego

• ACO License: Required (state requirement)
• Alarm Permit: Required through SDPD
• Building Permit: Usually not required for residential

San Jose

• ACO License: Required (state requirement)
• Alarm Permit: Check with San Jose PD
• Building Permit: Commercial installations may require Low Voltage Electrical Permit

Commercial vs Residential

Residential Burglar Alarm

• License: ACO from BSIS required
• Building Permit: Usually not required
• Alarm Permit: Customer obtains from local PD
• Monitoring: Monitoring company must also be ACO licensed

Commercial Burglar Alarm

• License: ACO from BSIS required
• Building Permit: May be required depending on city
• Alarm Permit: Required from local jurisdiction
• Additional requirements: May need UL certification for certain commercial applications

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Thinking C-7 covers burglar alarms: It doesn't. The C-7 covers intercom, data, sound, and video—NOT security alarms.
2. Confusing fire and burglar licensing: Fire alarms = C-10 through CSLB. Burglar alarms = ACO through BSIS.
3. Forgetting customer alarm permits: Your installation may be legal, but the customer still needs a permit from local police.
4. Out-of-state monitoring: Even monitoring companies outside California need an ACO license if they monitor systems in California.
5. Skipping the in-state address: BSIS now requires a California address for license renewal.

Installation Best Practices

1. Verify ACO license status: Check your license is active at BSIS License Search
2. Provide alarm permit info: Give customers the local alarm permit application as part of installation
3. Document false alarm reduction: Install systems with proper entry/exit delays to reduce false alarms
4. Follow UL standards: Commercial installations often require UL Listed equipment and installation methods
5. Training records: Maintain training records for all alarm agents working under your license

Related Permits and Licenses

Burglar alarm installations often overlap with other systems:

• Access Control Permits in California - Often integrated with alarms
• Security Camera Permits in California - Video verification
• Fire Alarm Permits in California - Requires separate C-10 license

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install burglar alarms with a C-7 license?

No. In California, burglar alarms are regulated by BSIS, not CSLB. You need an ACO (Alarm Company Operator) license from BSIS, regardless of any CSLB licenses you hold.

Do I need an ACO license to install Ring or SimpliSafe?

If you're professionally installing these systems for customers (charging for installation), yes, you need an ACO license. Homeowners installing their own systems don't need a license, but they still need local alarm permits.

Why are fire alarms different from burglar alarms in California?

California treats fire alarms as electrical work (life safety) regulated by CSLB, while burglar alarms are treated as security services regulated by BSIS. This unusual split means you may need licenses from both agencies for comprehensive security work.

What's the penalty for installing alarms without an ACO license?

Operating without an ACO license is a violation of the Alarm Company Act and can result in cease and desist orders, fines, and potential criminal charges. BSIS actively investigates complaints.

Do monitoring companies outside California need a California license?

Yes. Per BSIS regulations, any company monitoring alarm systems in California must hold an ACO license, even if the monitoring station is located outside the state.

Find Burglar Alarm Projects in California

Looking for security system installation opportunities in California? LVN Signal tracks construction permits and bids across the state, alerting you to projects the moment they're filed.

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Last updated: February 2026. Requirements may change. Always verify with the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services and your local jurisdiction before beginning work.