Licensing Exams by Trade Name - Home Link

South Carolina

Commercial Burglar Alarm Contractor

Apply for the License
South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board
Synergy Business Park - Kingstree Building
110 Centerview Dr.
Columbia, SC  29210
Phone: (803) 896-4686
Exam Provider
PSI Services LLC
3210 E. Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, NV  89121
Phone:  (855)  340-3701
Exam Type
OPEN  BOOK
Exam Content
Content Areas# of
Questions
General Electrical Knowledge14
Low Voltage9
Intrusion Detection & Alarm Systems10
Alarm Technology17
Total number of test questions:
50
Time allowed (hours):
3.0

All Burglar and Fire Alarm Contractors are required to pass the Alarm Code of Laws Exam and the technical alarm examination of the specific license category in which they are applying.

Books Allowed in the Exam
1.
National Electrical Code (NFPA-70), [or] National Electrical Code Handbook, 2017, NFPA
Buy at Amazon
2.
Understanding and Servicing Alarm Systems, 3rd Edition, H. William Trimmer
Buy at Amazon
3.
Security: A Guide to Security Design and Equipment Selection and Installation, 2nd Edition, 1994, Neil Cummings
Buy at Amazon
4.
Certified Alarm Technicians Manual - Level 1 (can only be obtained by taking a 22 hour course through ESA National Training. Cost $262)
Web Page Link
5.
NTC Blue Book: Low Voltage Systems Handbook, 2020, NTC
Buy at Amazon
6.
Ugly's Electrical References, 2020, Charles Miller
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NOTICE:  The bulletin calls out an NEC version with "SC modifications" that can be found on the NFPA web site.  This is false.  NFPA does not provide localized versions of the code.

If you want to see the exact code modifications to the NEC (only effects two sections: 90 & 210), you'll have to start on this web page: South Carolina Building Codes Council and work your way up from the 2005 version which is where they started.  Where it says "Continued", go to the previous version to find the change.

QUESTION:  "What is the difference between the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the Handbook version?".  As far as the actual NEC code quoted in the text... it's the same.

The NEC Handbook has additional diagrams, graphics and explanations inserted into the text (adding more pages and raising the price).  It was designed for engineers and inspectors.  The typical exam candidate should not use it as a preferred reference.

Additional Recommended Books

The books listed below are NOT allowed at the exam location

1a.
Ferm’s Fast Finder Index, 2017, IAEI
Buy at Amazon
1b.
Tom Henry's Key Word Index, 2017, Tom Henry
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We recommend that you purchase one of the two NEC index books above to study for your exam.  Each book is a comprehensive subject index to the NEC.  They provide an even faster way to look up subjects covered in the exam and are far more detailed than the index at the end of the code book.

2.
Practical Calculations for Electricians, 2017, Ray Holder
Buy at Amazon

A practice exam is currently NOT AVAILABLE

This page is being provided for research and links to books sources only.  We do not have an expected date for availability.  This page may have changed since your last visit.  Please refresh to see current info (F5 on your keyboard).

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