All ACO businesses and branch offices must be under the active charge of who?

• A. The owner
• B. A certified technician
• C. A supervising officer
• D. A qualified manager

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that every ACO business and its branches must have someone in charge who has the authority to oversee day-to-day operations and ensure compliance. This person is a qualified manager—a designated individual with the license, experience, and responsibility to supervise the branch, make sure rules are followed, and address regulatory requirements. A certified technician is skilled in installation and repair but does not carry the supervisory authority or accountability for the entire operation. The owner may oversee the business, but the rule requires a specific role: a qualified manager who is actively in charge of managing the branch’s activities and compliance. This accountability across all offices is what the qualified manager provides.