TEXAS PRIVATE SECURITY LICENSING EXAM
1. Which Texas agency regulates private security companies
and license holders?
A. Texas Department of Public Safety
B. Texas Workforce Commission
C. Texas Rangers
D. Federal Bureau of Investigation
Correct Answer: A. Texas Department of Public Safety
Rationale: The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS),
through the Private Security Program, oversees licensing,
registration, and regulation of private security professionals and
companies operating within Texas.
2. A commissioned security officer in Texas must carry which
item while on duty?
A. Social Security card
B. Driver license only
C. Commission card and pocket card
D. Birth certificate
Correct Answer: C. Commission card and pocket card
Rationale: Texas law requires commissioned security officers to
possess their commission card and pocket card while
performing regulated security duties.
3. What is the minimum age requirement to become a
commissioned security officer in Texas?
A. 16
B. 18
,C. 21
D. 25
Correct Answer: C. 21
Rationale: Applicants for commissioned security officer status in
Texas must be at least 21 years old and meet additional
eligibility requirements.
4. Which of the following is considered a misdemeanor
offense?
A. Murder
B. Burglary of habitation
C. Public intoxication
D. Aggravated robbery
Correct Answer: C. Public intoxication
Rationale: Public intoxication is generally classified as a
misdemeanor offense, whereas murder, burglary of habitation,
and aggravated robbery are more serious felony crimes.
5. What is the primary purpose of observation and reporting
by a security officer?
A. Making arrests
B. Conducting interrogations
C. Preventing and documenting incidents
D. Prosecuting suspects
Correct Answer: C. Preventing and documenting incidents
Rationale: Security officers are primarily responsible for
observing conditions, deterring crime, and accurately
documenting incidents for further action by supervisors or law
enforcement.
, 6. Which communication technique is most effective during a
conflict situation?
A. Shouting commands immediately
B. Active listening
C. Ignoring the subject
D. Threatening arrest
Correct Answer: B. Active listening
Rationale: Active listening helps reduce tension, demonstrates
professionalism, and allows officers to gather information while
de-escalating potentially volatile situations.
7. What does the term “reasonable force” mean?
A. Any force necessary to win a fight
B. Force approved by the suspect
C. The minimum force necessary to control a situation
D. Deadly force in all confrontations
Correct Answer: C. The minimum force necessary to control a
situation
Rationale: Reasonable force refers to the least amount of force
needed to safely and effectively handle a situation without
excessive action.
8. Which report should be completed after a significant
workplace incident?
A. Payroll report
B. Incident report
C. Inventory report
D. Maintenance report
, Correct Answer: B. Incident report
Rationale: Incident reports document events, actions taken,
witnesses, and other important facts that may be needed for
investigations or legal proceedings.
9. What is the legal definition of theft?
A. Borrowing property temporarily
B. Taking property unlawfully with intent to deprive the owner
C. Damaging another person’s property
D. Trespassing on private property
Correct Answer: B. Taking property unlawfully with intent to
deprive the owner
Rationale: Theft involves unlawfully taking property with the
intent to permanently deprive the rightful owner of possession.
10. What should a security officer do first upon
discovering a fire?
A. Leave immediately without notifying anyone
B. Attempt to extinguish every fire alone
C. Sound the alarm and notify emergency services
D. Wait for a supervisor’s permission
Correct Answer: C. Sound the alarm and notify emergency
services
Rationale: Immediate notification and activation of fire
response procedures are critical to protecting lives and
minimizing damage.
11. What is trespassing?
1. Which Texas agency regulates private security companies
and license holders?
A. Texas Department of Public Safety
B. Texas Workforce Commission
C. Texas Rangers
D. Federal Bureau of Investigation
Correct Answer: A. Texas Department of Public Safety
Rationale: The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS),
through the Private Security Program, oversees licensing,
registration, and regulation of private security professionals and
companies operating within Texas.
2. A commissioned security officer in Texas must carry which
item while on duty?
A. Social Security card
B. Driver license only
C. Commission card and pocket card
D. Birth certificate
Correct Answer: C. Commission card and pocket card
Rationale: Texas law requires commissioned security officers to
possess their commission card and pocket card while
performing regulated security duties.
3. What is the minimum age requirement to become a
commissioned security officer in Texas?
A. 16
B. 18
,C. 21
D. 25
Correct Answer: C. 21
Rationale: Applicants for commissioned security officer status in
Texas must be at least 21 years old and meet additional
eligibility requirements.
4. Which of the following is considered a misdemeanor
offense?
A. Murder
B. Burglary of habitation
C. Public intoxication
D. Aggravated robbery
Correct Answer: C. Public intoxication
Rationale: Public intoxication is generally classified as a
misdemeanor offense, whereas murder, burglary of habitation,
and aggravated robbery are more serious felony crimes.
5. What is the primary purpose of observation and reporting
by a security officer?
A. Making arrests
B. Conducting interrogations
C. Preventing and documenting incidents
D. Prosecuting suspects
Correct Answer: C. Preventing and documenting incidents
Rationale: Security officers are primarily responsible for
observing conditions, deterring crime, and accurately
documenting incidents for further action by supervisors or law
enforcement.
, 6. Which communication technique is most effective during a
conflict situation?
A. Shouting commands immediately
B. Active listening
C. Ignoring the subject
D. Threatening arrest
Correct Answer: B. Active listening
Rationale: Active listening helps reduce tension, demonstrates
professionalism, and allows officers to gather information while
de-escalating potentially volatile situations.
7. What does the term “reasonable force” mean?
A. Any force necessary to win a fight
B. Force approved by the suspect
C. The minimum force necessary to control a situation
D. Deadly force in all confrontations
Correct Answer: C. The minimum force necessary to control a
situation
Rationale: Reasonable force refers to the least amount of force
needed to safely and effectively handle a situation without
excessive action.
8. Which report should be completed after a significant
workplace incident?
A. Payroll report
B. Incident report
C. Inventory report
D. Maintenance report
, Correct Answer: B. Incident report
Rationale: Incident reports document events, actions taken,
witnesses, and other important facts that may be needed for
investigations or legal proceedings.
9. What is the legal definition of theft?
A. Borrowing property temporarily
B. Taking property unlawfully with intent to deprive the owner
C. Damaging another person’s property
D. Trespassing on private property
Correct Answer: B. Taking property unlawfully with intent to
deprive the owner
Rationale: Theft involves unlawfully taking property with the
intent to permanently deprive the rightful owner of possession.
10. What should a security officer do first upon
discovering a fire?
A. Leave immediately without notifying anyone
B. Attempt to extinguish every fire alone
C. Sound the alarm and notify emergency services
D. Wait for a supervisor’s permission
Correct Answer: C. Sound the alarm and notify emergency
services
Rationale: Immediate notification and activation of fire
response procedures are critical to protecting lives and
minimizing damage.
11. What is trespassing?
