Can an alarm agreement be oral?

• A. Yes.
• B. No.
• C. Only if both parties agree in writing later.
• D. Only for short-term agreements.

Answer: (B)

In California, alarm service contracts must be in writing. The licensing and consumer-protection framework requires a signed written agreement for installation, monitoring, and maintenance, with clear terms on price, duration, and services. An oral agreement by itself does not meet these requirements and isn’t enforceable as the official contract. A later written document cannot retroactively convert an initial oral agreement into a compliant contract. So, alarm agreements cannot be oral.