100+ Free ALOA CPS Practice Questions

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Under UL 687, a safe rated 'TL-15' is certified to resist attack with common hand and power tools for how long?

5 net working minutes

15 net working minutes on the door and front face only

30 net working minutes on all six sides

60 net working minutes including the top

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ALOA CPS Exam

100

Free Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep ALOA CPS question bank

TL-30X6

UL 687 All-Sides Rating

30 net working minutes tool attack on all six sides

Group 1R

Highest UL Lock Rating

20 man-hours manipulation + 2 man-hours radiological resistance

~$125-$400

Per-Module Fee

ALOA/SAVTA 2026 (verify current schedule)

1-2+ yr

Recommended Experience

Shop/apprenticeship practice before CPS modules

4 tiers

ALOA Safe Tech Ladder

RST → CST → CPS → CMST

ALOA CPS is a professional-tier safe technician certification administered by ALOA/SAVTA through a series of timed written modules at SAFETECH and regional training events. Content spans mechanical combination locks (~15%), electronic locks (~14%), safe types and UL 687/72 ratings (~12%), combination changes (~10%), opening and troubleshooting (~8%), boltwork (~7%), safe deposit boxes (~6%), business practices (~6%), wall/floor safes (~5%), certifications and training (~5%), fire ratings (~4%), gun safes (~4%), rigging (~4%), and manipulation introduction (~3%). Module fees run ~$125-$400 each; eligibility requires ALOA/SAVTA membership and 1-2+ years of practical safe tech experience.

Sample ALOA CPS Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ALOA CPS exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under UL 687, a safe rated 'TL-15' is certified to resist attack with common hand and power tools for how long?

A.5 net working minutes

B.15 net working minutes on the door and front face only

C.30 net working minutes on all six sides

D.60 net working minutes including the top

Explanation: UL 687 TL-15 certifies resistance to 15 net working minutes of attack with common hand tools and electric power tools on the door and front face only. TL-30 extends to 30 minutes on the door, TL-30X6 is 30 minutes on all six sides, and TRTL-30X6 adds torch resistance.

2A UL 72 Class 350 fire rating means interior temperature will not exceed which temperature during the fire test?

A.125°F

B.150°F

C.350°F

D.450°F

Explanation: UL 72 fire-resistive ratings are based on maximum interior temperature: Class 125 protects computer media (magnetic tape, microfilm), Class 150 protects film and photographic media, and Class 350 protects paper documents. Ratings are followed by time durations (1/2, 1, 2, or 4 hours).

3The 'RSC' designation in a UL 687 RSC-rated safe stands for:

A.Residential Security Container

B.Rated Safe Classification

C.Reinforced Steel Chamber

D.Retail Safe Certification

Explanation: RSC (Residential Security Container) is the entry-level UL 687 burglary rating, requiring 5 minutes of attack resistance with basic hand tools. It is commonly used for gun safes and low-value home safes. B-rate and C-rate are construction-only labels (not UL tested).

4A 'B-rate' safe typically refers to which construction standard?

A.UL-tested 30-minute burglary

B.Body constructed of at least 1/2 inch steel and door of 1 inch steel (not UL-tested)

C.Torch and tool resistant

D.Fire-only protection

Explanation: B-rate and C-rate are trade descriptions, not UL-tested ratings. B-rate commonly means 1/2-inch body with 1-inch door steel; C-rate means 1-inch body and 1-1/2-inch door. Insurance carriers may assign coverage based on these labels despite the lack of independent testing.

5What does the 'X6' in TL-30X6 signify?

A.Six additional locking bolts

B.Tested from all six sides of the safe

C.Six-hour fire rating

D.Six inches of concrete lining

Explanation: The 'X6' suffix indicates the safe was tested on all six sides (top, bottom, back, two sides, and door) rather than just the door/front face. TL-30X6 requires 30 net minutes of tool resistance from any side. TRTL-30X6 adds torch resistance; TXTL-60X6 adds explosives.

6Which UL label certifies resistance to torch, tool, AND explosive attack?

A.TL-30

B.TRTL-30X6

C.TXTL-60X6

D.TL-15

Explanation: TXTL-60X6 is the highest UL burglary rating — 60 net minutes of resistance to tools, torch, and explosives on all six sides. TRTL ratings cover tool + torch only. TXTL is rare, typically found in high-security commercial vaults and jewelry trade safes.

7The UL Impact Test for fire-resistive safes primarily verifies the safe's ability to:

A.Resist forced entry with a hammer

B.Survive a drop from a burning upper floor and continue protecting contents

C.Withstand vehicular impact

D.Be dropped during shipping without damage

Explanation: The UL Impact Test simulates a fire scenario where the safe falls from a collapsing upper floor. The safe is heated to high temperature, then dropped approximately 30 feet onto rubble. After cooling it is reheated to verify contents still meet the interior temperature spec.

8Class 125 fire-rated media safes are designed to protect:

A.Paper documents only

B.Computer media including magnetic tapes, diskettes, and hard drives

C.Photographic film only

D.Coins and currency only

Explanation: Class 125 fire safes maintain interior temperature below 125°F and humidity below 80%, protecting magnetic media, diskettes, and similar computer data. Class 150 is for film/photo media. Class 350 is for paper. Class numbers indicate the maximum interior temperature in Fahrenheit.

9A composite safe body commonly contains which material between inner and outer steel walls for drill resistance?

A.Vermiculite

B.Concrete amalgam with hardened aggregate such as carbide chips

C.Lead shielding

D.Polyurethane foam

Explanation: Composite body safes (common in TL-rated products) sandwich a high-density concrete amalgam — often containing aluminum oxide, corundum, or tungsten carbide chips — between steel plates to defeat drilling. Fire safes by contrast use vermiculite/gypsum for insulation, not drill resistance.

10Which material is MOST commonly used in fire-resistive safe lining for its moisture content?

A.Steel wool

B.Gypsum-based (Portland cement plus vermiculite) with bound water

C.Fiberglass insulation

D.Lead sheeting

Explanation: Fire safes use a gypsum/Portland cement/vermiculite lining that contains chemically bound water. During a fire, the water boils off and keeps the interior below rated temperature. Because the safe relies on this water, fire safes must not be stored in constant damp conditions that accelerate liner degradation.

About the ALOA CPS Exam

The ALOA Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS) certification validates professional-tier competence in safe servicing, combination changes, electronic and mechanical lock service, opening and troubleshooting, safe deposit box work, and business practices. Administered by ALOA/SAVTA at SAFETECH and regional training events, the CPS is the third tier of the ALOA safe technician ladder — above Registered Safe Technician (RST) and Certified Safe Technician (CST) and below Certified Master Safe Technician (CMST). Content spans UL 687 burglary ratings (RSC, TL-15, TL-30, TL-30X6, TRTL-30X6, TXTL-60), UL 72 fire ratings (Class 125/150/350), mechanical combination locks (Sargent & Greenleaf 6730/6741/8077, LaGard 3330/3390) with UL Group 1/1R/2/2M classifications, electronic locks (LaGard Basic/ComboGard, S&G 6120, SecuRam, Kaba Mas Auditcon/Cencon/X-09/X-10, FF-L-2740B government containers), combination changes, non-destructive opening and progressive troubleshooting, boltwork and relockers, safe deposit box two-key systems, wall and floor safes, gun safes and CA DOJ standards, safe movement and rigging, business practices and ALOA ethics, and an introduction to manipulation.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Timed written modules at SAFETECH and regional training events

Passing Score

Module-specific passing score set by ALOA/SAVTA (typically 70-75% per written module)

Exam Fee

~$125-$400 per written module (ALOA/SAVTA 2026 — verify current schedule) (ALOA Security Professionals Association / SAVTA (Safe and Vault Technicians Association division))

ALOA CPS Exam Content Outline

~15%

Mechanical Combination Locks

Three-wheel and four-wheel group 2/2M/1/1R combination locks (Sargent & Greenleaf 6730/6741/8077, LaGard 3330/3390). Wheel pack anatomy (drive cam, drive pin, fly, wheel, wheel post), gates and fence, dial/nose alignment, zeroing, forbidden zones, UL Group ratings (Group 2, Group 2M manipulation resistant, Group 1 high security, Group 1R radiological), lubrication, and common failure modes.

~14%

Electronic Safe Locks

LaGard Basic II, ComboGard Pro, S&G 6120/6124/Z-01/Z-02, SecuRam, Kaba Mas Auditcon/Cencon/X-09/X-10. Keypad wiring, 9V battery management, solenoid vs motor-driven bolt, time delay, duress codes, dual-control, audit trail download, lockout after wrong tries, swing-bolt vs dead-bolt, firmware/reset, and FF-L-2740B government container requirements.

~12%

Safe Types & UL Ratings

UL 687 burglary ratings — RSC (5 min), B-rate/C-rate (construction only), TL-15, TL-30, TL-15X6, TL-30X6, TRTL-30X6 (torch + tool), TXTL-60 (torch/tool/explosive). UL 72 fire ratings — Class 125 (computer media), Class 150 (film), Class 350 (paper) over 1/2-, 1-, 2-, 4-hour durations. Composite bodies, relockers (thermal, glass, cable), anti-drill hardplate, saturn rings.

~10%

Combination Changes

Hand-change vs change-key wheel packs, removing wheels through the change hole, setting new combination on keyed-change S&G 6730, direct-entry change on LaGard 3330/3390, electronic code changes (manager/user), dual-control codes, resetting after lockout, verifying the combination at least three times before closing the door, and customer sign-off.

~8%

Safe Opening & Troubleshooting

Non-destructive opening first — re-dial, try-out sequences, day-lock checks, magnet/solenoid tricks on electronic locks. Progressive troubleshooting — test combination, check keypad cable, swap keypad, check battery, check solenoid/motor, check boltwork. Drilling protocols (change-key hole, fence, wheel, relocker avoidance), scoping, and post-drill repair (weld plug, hardplate replacement).

~7%

Boltwork, Hinges & Linkages

Live bolts vs dead bolts, bolt retractors, handle shafts and square drives, vertical/horizontal bolt work, linkage adjustment, relocker triggering (glass plate, thermal link), hinge types (side-pin, external, continuous), anti-pry features, door alignment and bolt binding, and re-timing after opening.

~6%

Safe Deposit Boxes

SDB nest construction, guard key and renter key (two-key system — both required), pass-key opening for lost renter key vs forced/drilled opening, key-blank families (Diebold, Mosler, LeFebure, Major, SMP), re-keying a nest position, lost-key protocols and customer authentication (bank policy), drilling jigs, documentation, and billing per bank contract.

~6%

Business Practices

ALOA code of ethics, customer verification and chain of custody, written work orders, liability waivers for drilling, insurance and bonding, lien laws for abandoned safes, proper disposal of combinations, subcontracting and ALOA referrals, pricing (flat rate vs T&M), estimates, and secure client files.

~5%

Wall & Floor Safes

In-wall safe installation (stud-bay clearance, weight, door swing, boltwork), floor safe installation (concrete pour, debris cup, dust cap, round-door vs square-door), brands (Gardall, American Security, Major), removing and replacing a floor safe body, corrosion and water ingress, and low-security vs B-rate floor safes.

~5%

Certifications & Training

ALOA/SAVTA certification ladder — Registered Safe Technician (RST), Certified Safe Technician (CST), Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS), Certified Master Safe Technician (CMST). SAFETECH annual event, PRP (Proficiency Registration Program), CEUs, manufacturer schools (S&G, LaGard/Kaba), and the ALOA (locksmithing) vs SAVTA (safe and vault) distinction.

~4%

Fire Ratings & Lining

UL 72 Class 125/150/350 interior temperature thresholds during the furnace test, impact/drop test, hydrated gypsum-concrete lining chemistry, fire-vs-burglary body distinction, composite B-rate-fire + TL-15 units, fireproofing cracking after water damage, and retrofit replacement.

~4%

Gun Safes & Residential Locks

RSC (Residential Security Container) gun safes, California DOJ firearm safety device standards, electronic keypad vs dial on long guns, biometric locks, lock replacements (SecuRam, S&G Spartan, LaGard 39E), manufacturer fire rating claims vs UL 72, anchoring, and California penal code requirements.

~4%

Safe Movement & Rigging

Dolly and J-bar basics, stair-climbing dollies, Johnson bars, pipe/plate rollers, weight estimation by volume and wall thickness, center-of-gravity and tipping hazards, permits for heavy loads, forklift/liftgate use, door removal to reduce weight, floor load ratings, and liability while moving customer property.

~3%

Manipulation (Introduction)

Theory of manipulation — reading wheels by contact-point measurement, amplitude graphs, parked wheels, and dialing sequences. Group 2 (manipulation-feasible) vs Group 1/1R (manipulation-resistant). Introductory concepts; advanced manipulation is the CMST specialist pathway.

How to Pass the ALOA CPS Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Module-specific passing score set by ALOA/SAVTA (typically 70-75% per written module)
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: Timed written modules at SAFETECH and regional training events
Exam fee: ~$125-$400 per written module (ALOA/SAVTA 2026 — verify current schedule)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ALOA CPS Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the UL 687 burglary ladder: RSC (5 min common tools, front only) → B-rate/C-rate (construction only, no UL test) → TL-15 (15 min tools, door/front face) → TL-30 (30 min, door/front) → TL-15X6 / TL-30X6 (all six sides) → TRTL-30X6 (tools + torch, all six sides) → TXTL-60 (tools + torch + explosives). Know which threats each rating defends against and that 'X6' means all six sides, not just the door.

2UL 72 fire ratings by media: Class 125 protects computer media (magnetic tape, microfilm) with interior ≤125°F; Class 150 protects film and photographic media with interior ≤150°F; Class 350 protects paper documents with interior ≤350°F. Each rating is paired with a duration — 1/2, 1, 2, or 4 hours. The test includes a drop/impact test (fall from height) with continued fire exposure.

3UL Group classifications for combination locks: Group 2 — standard commercial (most S&G 6730s); Group 2M — manipulation resistant (20 man-hours); Group 1 — high security (20 man-hours manipulation + 2 man-hours radiological); Group 1R — Group 1 plus radiological resistance. Know which S&G, LaGard, and Kaba Mas models fall into each group.

4Sargent & Greenleaf staple models: 6730 (3-wheel Group 2, keyed change), 6741 (similar, direct-drive), 8077AD (Group 1R — used on GSA Class 5/6 before X-09), and Kaba Mas X-09 / X-10 (FF-L-2740B electromechanical, self-powered — no batteries, generator in the dial). LaGard staples: 3330 (3-wheel Group 2, direct entry change) and 3390 (4-wheel).

5Progressive non-destructive opening order for an electronic lock that will not open: (1) verify combination with owner, (2) check keypad cable and battery (fresh 9V alkaline), (3) swap keypad with a known-good unit, (4) check solenoid/motor voltage with a meter, (5) inspect boltwork and linkage for binding, (6) attempt manufacturer reset procedure, and only then (7) proceed to drilling with a manufacturer drill-point diagram and relocker avoidance. Always document each step for the customer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ALOA Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS) certification?

The ALOA CPS is a professional-tier certification administered by ALOA/SAVTA (the Safe and Vault Technicians Association division of ALOA) that validates competence in safe servicing across mechanical and electronic locks, combination changes, opening and troubleshooting, safe deposit box work, boltwork, and business practices. It sits above the Registered Safe Technician (RST) and Certified Safe Technician (CST) levels and below the Certified Master Safe Technician (CMST) at the top of the ladder.

Who is eligible to sit for ALOA CPS modules?

Candidates need active ALOA or SAVTA membership in good standing. ALOA/SAVTA strongly recommends 1-2+ years of practical safe technician experience (shop, apprenticeship, or field work) before attempting the written modules. Candidates must adhere to the ALOA Code of Ethics and meet any applicable state locksmith licensing requirements. A clean background relating to theft, burglary, and fraud is typically required where state licensing applies.

What is the format of the ALOA CPS examination?

CPS is delivered as a series of timed written modules (not a single monolithic exam) at the SAFETECH annual convention and regional training events. Each module covers a defined content area — mechanical combination locks, electronic locks, combination changes, opening and troubleshooting, safe deposit boxes, business practices, and others. Candidates must pass each required module in the CPS curriculum to earn the certification.

How much does the 2026 ALOA CPS cost?

Individual written modules run approximately $125-$400 each in 2026 — always verify the current schedule with ALOA/SAVTA. Full CPS completion across the module battery typically totals ~$1,500-$3,000 plus ALOA membership dues and SAFETECH tuition. Module retake fees apply per ALOA/SAVTA policy. Refund schedules follow event policy with decreasing refunds as the event date approaches.

When are CPS modules offered in 2026?

CPS modules are offered at the SAFETECH annual convention (typically spring) and at regional ALOA/SAVTA training events throughout the year. Some modules are also available through manufacturer schools (Sargent & Greenleaf, LaGard/Kaba) and partner training centers. Check the ALOA/SAVTA event calendar for the 2026 schedule and registration deadlines.

How are CPS modules scored?

Each CPS module has its own passing score set by ALOA/SAVTA, typically around 70-75% of items answered correctly. Results are pass/fail at the module level. Failed modules may be retaken at subsequent SAFETECH events or regional training sessions, and candidates should review the failed domains and complete additional training before retaking.

What are the highest-yield topics for CPS?

Highest-yield topics include UL 687 burglary ratings (RSC, TL-15, TL-30, TL-30X6, TRTL-30X6, TXTL-60) and UL 72 fire ratings (Class 125/150/350); UL Group 1/1R/2/2M lock classifications; Sargent & Greenleaf 6730/6741/8077 and LaGard 3330/3390 mechanical wheel packs; LaGard ComboGard Pro, S&G 6120, and Kaba Mas X-09/X-10 electronic locks; combination change procedures (hand-change vs change-key); progressive non-destructive opening and drilling with relocker avoidance; safe deposit box two-key systems; and FF-L-2740B government container requirements.

How should I study for ALOA CPS?

Layer 12-24 months of shop experience with structured classroom training. Start with UL 687/72 ratings and mechanical wheel packs, then electronic locks and combination changes, then opening and troubleshooting, then safe deposit boxes, rigging, and business practices. Attend SAFETECH or regional classes, complete manufacturer schools (S&G, LaGard/Kaba), and drill high-volume practice questions. Reserve non-destructive opening techniques for real shop work under a mentor before attempting the practical-adjacent module content.