California Alarm & Security Licensing Law

California Code · 6 sections

The following is the full text of California’s alarm & security licensing law statutes as published in the California Code. For the official version, see the California Legislature.

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7026.12

Except as provided in Section 7026.13, the installation of a fire protection system, excluding an electrical alarm system, shall be performed only by either of the following: (a) A contractor holding a fire protection contractor classification, as defined in the regulations of the board. (b) An owner-builder of an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, if not more than two single-family dwellings on the same parcel are constructed within one year, plans are submitted to, and approved by, the city, county, or city and county authority, and the city, county, or city and county authority inspects and approves the installation. (Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 377, Sec. 1. (AB 433) Effective January 1, 2014.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7054

This chapter does not apply to any person who performs work in the installation, maintenance, monitoring, selling, alteration, or servicing of alarm systems, as defined in Section 7590.1, and who holds an alarm company operator’s license issued pursuant to Chapter 11.6 (commencing with Section 7590). (Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 406, Sec. 2. (SB 904) Effective January 1, 2019.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7159

(a) (1) This section identifies the projects for which a home improvement contract is required, outlines the contract requirements, and lists the items that shall be included in the contract, or may be provided as an attachment. (2) This section does not apply to service and repair contracts that are subject to Section 7159.10, if the contract for the applicable services complies with Sections 7159.10 to 7159.14, inclusive. (3) This section does not apply to the sale, installation, and servicing of a fire alarm sold in conjunction with an alarm system, as defined in Section 7590.1, if all costs attributable to making the fire alarm system operable, including sale and installation costs, do not exceed five hundred dollars ($500), and the licensee complies with the requirements set forth in Section

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7159.9

(4) This section does not apply to any costs associated with monitoring a burglar or fire alarm system. (5) (A) Failure by the licensee, their agent or salesperson, or by a person subject to be licensed under this chapter, to provide the specified information, notices, and disclosures in the contract, or to otherwise fail to comply with any provision of this section, is cause for discipline. (B) For purposes of administrative discipline under this chapter, the prime or direct contractor is responsible for completion of the project in accordance with the home improvement contract, plans, and specifications. This prime or direct contractor responsibility shall not preclude administrative discipline against any subcontractor or home improvement salesperson on a home improvement contract for violation of this chapter. (6) If the applicable “Notice of Cancellation” is not included in or attached to the contract as required by this section, the buyer may file a complaint with the Contractors State License Board. (b) For purposes of this section, “home improvement contract” means an agreement, whether oral or written, or contained in one or more documents, between a contractor and an owner or between a contractor and a tenant, regardless of the number of residence or dwelling units contained in the building in which the tenant resides, if the work is to be performed in, to, or upon the residence or dwelling unit of the tenant, for the performance of a home improvement, as defined in Section 7151, and includes all labor, services, and materials to be furnished and performed thereunder, if the aggregate contract price specified in one or more improvement contracts, including all labor, services, and materials to be furnished by the contractor, exceeds five hundred dollars ($500). “Home improvement contract” also means an agreement, whether oral or written, or contained in one or more documents, between a salesperson, whether or not they are a home improvement salesperson, and an owner or a tenant, regardless of the number of residence or dwelling units contained in the building in which the tenant resides, which provides for the sale, installation, or furnishing of home improvement goods or services. (c) In addition to the specific requirements listed under this section, every home improvement contract and any person subject to licensure under this chapter or their agent or salesperson shall comply with all of the following: (1) The writing shall be legible. (2) Any printed form shall be readable. Unless a larger typeface is specified in this article, text in any printed form shall be in at least 10-point typeface and the headings shall be in at least 10-point boldface type. (3) (A) Before any work is started, the contractor shall give the buyer a copy of the contract that is signed and dated by both the contractor and the buyer. The buyer’s receipt of the copy of the contract initiates the buyer’s rights to cancel the contract pursuant to Sections 1689.5

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7162

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any representation by a person licensed pursuant to this chapter with respect to a trademark or brand name, quality, or size of any goods or materials, in reference to bathroom fixtures, a sink, stove, refrigerator, lighting, carpeting and other floor surfaces, burglar and smoke alarms, a solar energy system, paints, textured coatings, siding and other wall surfaces, insulation, roofing, air conditioning and heating systems, and appliances, to be provided by the person pursuant to a home improvement contract, as defined in Section 7151.2, shall set forth, in writing, in the contract or specifications and shall include a description of the goods or materials, including any brand name, model number, or similar designation. (b) Failure to install the specific goods or materials as represented as required by this section constitutes a cause for disciplinary action under this chapter. (Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 249, Sec. 5. (SB 757) Effective January 1, 2022.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7599.54

(2) Complies with Sections 1689.5, 1689.6, and 1689.7 of the Civil Code, as applicable. (3) Executes the following certification statement in the contract or in a separate certification document signed by all parties to the contract: “All costs attributable to making the fire alarm system operable for the residence identified by this document, including sale and installation costs, do not exceed five hundred dollars ($500).” (4) Certifies to the following if the certification statement described in paragraph (3) is in a separate document: “I certify that all statements and representations made by me in this document are true and accurate.” (b) The contract or separate certification document shall also include both of the following: (1) The physical address of the residence for which the certification is applicable. (2) The name, business address, and license number of the contractor as contained in the official records of the board. (c) The licensee shall give an exact copy of all documents required pursuant to this section to the party who is contracting to have the alarm system installed. (d) All documents required pursuant to this section shall be retained by the licensee for a period of five years in accordance with the provisions of Section 7111, and shall be made available to the board within 30 days of a written request. (e) Failure by the contractor to provide the board with the certification or contract within 30 days of a written request is cause for discipline. (f) Failure by the licensee to provide the board with the certification or contract within 30 days of a written request creates a presumption that the licensee has violated the provisions of Section 7159, unless evidence to the contrary is presented within the timeframe specified by the board. (Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 406, Sec. 4. (SB 904) Effective January 1, 2019.)

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)