Hawaii Security Guard - Principal Exam: 100 Questions with Answers & Explanations**
**1. Which state agency regulates security guards in Hawaii?**
A) Honolulu Police Department
B) Department of Public Safety
C) Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
D) Attorney General's Office
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** The DCCA's Professional & Vocational Licensing (PVL) Division regulates
security guards under HAR Title 16, Chapter 97.
**2. How long is a Hawaii security guard license valid?**
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 4 years
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** A security guard license is valid for two years from the date of issuance
per HAR §16-97-13.
**3. The minimum age to become a licensed security guard in Hawaii is:**
A) 18 years
B) 21 years
C) 25 years
D) No minimum age
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** Applicants must be at least 18 years old per HAR §16-97-11(a)(1).
,**4. A security guard's license must be renewed within ____ days prior to expiration.**
A) 30
B) 60
C) 90
D) 120
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** HAR §16-97-13 requires renewal application within 60 days before
expiration.
**5. Which of these disqualifies someone from security guard licensure in Hawaii?**
A) Being 20 years old
B) A misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude within 5 years
C) A felony conviction 15 years ago
D) All of the above
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** HAR §16-97-11(a)(4) disqualifies applicants with recent convictions
involving moral turpitude or violence.
**6. How many hours of training are required for initial security guard licensure?**
A) 4 hours
B) 8 hours
C) 16 hours
D) 40 hours
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** HAR §16-97-16(a) requires at least 8 hours of board-approved training.
,**7. What must a security guard carry while on duty?**
A) License and state ID
B) Firearm (if qualified)
C) Baton and handcuffs
D) All of the above
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** HAR §16-97-14 requires guards to carry their license and valid photo ID.
**8. A security guard may make a citizen's arrest:**
A) Only for felonies witnessed
B) For any violation of law
C) Only with police approval
D) Never; only police can arrest
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §803-3 allows citizen's arrests for felonies
witnessed or reasonable suspicion of felony.
**9. The use of force continuum begins with:**
A) Verbal commands
B) Officer presence
C) Soft empty-hand control
D) Chemical spray
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** Officer presence is the first level, demonstrating authority without
physical contact.
**10. Which is NOT a level in the use of force continuum?**
, A) Officer presence
B) Deadly force
C) Intermediate weapons
D) Off-duty intervention
**Answer: D**
**Explanation:** Off-duty intervention is not a standard level in the continuum.
**11. A security guard may use deadly force:**
A) To protect property
B) To prevent escape
C) When facing imminent threat of death/serious injury
D) To stop any crime
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** HRS §703-304 allows deadly force only to protect against imminent death
or serious bodily injury.
**12. "Reasonable suspicion" means:**
A) Absolute certainty of criminal activity
B) Articulable facts suggesting criminal activity
C) A hunch or feeling
D) Proof beyond reasonable doubt
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** Reasonable suspicion requires specific, articulable facts, not just a
hunch.
**13. "Probable cause" is defined as:**
A) More than 50% certainty
**1. Which state agency regulates security guards in Hawaii?**
A) Honolulu Police Department
B) Department of Public Safety
C) Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
D) Attorney General's Office
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** The DCCA's Professional & Vocational Licensing (PVL) Division regulates
security guards under HAR Title 16, Chapter 97.
**2. How long is a Hawaii security guard license valid?**
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 4 years
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** A security guard license is valid for two years from the date of issuance
per HAR §16-97-13.
**3. The minimum age to become a licensed security guard in Hawaii is:**
A) 18 years
B) 21 years
C) 25 years
D) No minimum age
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** Applicants must be at least 18 years old per HAR §16-97-11(a)(1).
,**4. A security guard's license must be renewed within ____ days prior to expiration.**
A) 30
B) 60
C) 90
D) 120
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** HAR §16-97-13 requires renewal application within 60 days before
expiration.
**5. Which of these disqualifies someone from security guard licensure in Hawaii?**
A) Being 20 years old
B) A misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude within 5 years
C) A felony conviction 15 years ago
D) All of the above
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** HAR §16-97-11(a)(4) disqualifies applicants with recent convictions
involving moral turpitude or violence.
**6. How many hours of training are required for initial security guard licensure?**
A) 4 hours
B) 8 hours
C) 16 hours
D) 40 hours
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** HAR §16-97-16(a) requires at least 8 hours of board-approved training.
,**7. What must a security guard carry while on duty?**
A) License and state ID
B) Firearm (if qualified)
C) Baton and handcuffs
D) All of the above
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** HAR §16-97-14 requires guards to carry their license and valid photo ID.
**8. A security guard may make a citizen's arrest:**
A) Only for felonies witnessed
B) For any violation of law
C) Only with police approval
D) Never; only police can arrest
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §803-3 allows citizen's arrests for felonies
witnessed or reasonable suspicion of felony.
**9. The use of force continuum begins with:**
A) Verbal commands
B) Officer presence
C) Soft empty-hand control
D) Chemical spray
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** Officer presence is the first level, demonstrating authority without
physical contact.
**10. Which is NOT a level in the use of force continuum?**
, A) Officer presence
B) Deadly force
C) Intermediate weapons
D) Off-duty intervention
**Answer: D**
**Explanation:** Off-duty intervention is not a standard level in the continuum.
**11. A security guard may use deadly force:**
A) To protect property
B) To prevent escape
C) When facing imminent threat of death/serious injury
D) To stop any crime
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** HRS §703-304 allows deadly force only to protect against imminent death
or serious bodily injury.
**12. "Reasonable suspicion" means:**
A) Absolute certainty of criminal activity
B) Articulable facts suggesting criminal activity
C) A hunch or feeling
D) Proof beyond reasonable doubt
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** Reasonable suspicion requires specific, articulable facts, not just a
hunch.
**13. "Probable cause" is defined as:**
A) More than 50% certainty
