ILLINOIS SECURITY CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXAM:
200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
AND EXPLANATIONS
1. A security contractor in Illinois who knowingly employs an individual
with a revoked PERC card may face:
A) A written warning from the IDFPR
B) License suspension and a fine up to $5,000
C) Only a monetary penalty of $250
D) No penalty if the employee was unaware
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Under the Illinois Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private
Security, and Fingerprint Vendor Licensing Act, employing someone
with a revoked PERC card can lead to disciplinary action including
suspension and fines up to $5,000.
2. Under the Illinois Security Contractor licensing requirements, which
of the following is NOT a prerequisite for the qualifying agent?
A) Be at least 21 years old
B) Have 3 years of verifiable security or law enforcement experience
C) Have a high school diploma or equivalent
D) Have passed the Illinois Security Contractor exam
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The requirement is 2 years (not 3) of verifiable full-time
,security, detective, or law enforcement experience, or a combination of
education and experience approved by IDFPR.
3. A security contractor’s license in Illinois expires every:
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Illinois security contractor licenses are valid for 2 years
from the date of issuance, requiring renewal before expiration.
4. Which scenario constitutes unlicensed activity for a security
contractor?
A) Supervising only 5 security guards at a single site
B) Advertising “armed security patrol” without an armed contractor
license
C) Hiring a licensed firm for subcontract work
D) Operating only in unincorporated areas of Illinois
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Advertising armed security services without the
appropriate armed contractor license is explicitly prohibited as
unlicensed activity under Illinois law.
,5. An Illinois security contractor must report a change of business
address to the IDFPR within:
A) 10 days
B) 15 days
C) 30 days
D) 60 days
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: IDFPR rules require licensees to notify the Department of
any address change within 30 days to keep records current.
6. Who may legally carry a firearm while on duty as an armed security
contractor employee in Illinois?
A) Any employee with a FOID card
B) Any employee with a FOID card and valid PERC
C) Any employee with an Armed Security Contractor Employee
registration
D) Any employee with a valid FOID and 40-hour firearms training
certificate
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Armed security personnel must have a FOID card and
complete a 40-hour firearms training course approved by IDFPR, in
addition to the PERC card.
7. A security contractor firm fails to maintain the required $1,000,000
liability insurance. The IDFPR may immediately:
A) Issue a citation of $500 per day
, B) Revoke only the firm’s armed license
C) Suspend the license until proof of insurance is provided
D) Refer the matter to local police
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Insurance is a mandatory requirement for licensure; failure
to maintain it results in automatic suspension until reinstated with
proof.
8. Which of the following actions is a violation of the Illinois Security
Contractor Act regarding employee records?
A) Retaining employee training records for 3 years
B) Disclosing an employee’s home address to a client without consent
C) Keeping PERC expiration dates in a locked file
D) Storing background check results separately from personnel files
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Disclosing personal employee information (home address,
SSN, etc.) to a client without consent violates privacy provisions under
the Act.
9. A security contractor may enter into a “reciprocal agreement” for
licensing with another state only if:
A) The other state has identical training standards
B) The IDFPR has declared the other state’s standards substantially
equivalent
C) The contractor passes an additional Illinois law exam
D) The other state is a member of ASIS International
200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
AND EXPLANATIONS
1. A security contractor in Illinois who knowingly employs an individual
with a revoked PERC card may face:
A) A written warning from the IDFPR
B) License suspension and a fine up to $5,000
C) Only a monetary penalty of $250
D) No penalty if the employee was unaware
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Under the Illinois Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private
Security, and Fingerprint Vendor Licensing Act, employing someone
with a revoked PERC card can lead to disciplinary action including
suspension and fines up to $5,000.
2. Under the Illinois Security Contractor licensing requirements, which
of the following is NOT a prerequisite for the qualifying agent?
A) Be at least 21 years old
B) Have 3 years of verifiable security or law enforcement experience
C) Have a high school diploma or equivalent
D) Have passed the Illinois Security Contractor exam
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The requirement is 2 years (not 3) of verifiable full-time
,security, detective, or law enforcement experience, or a combination of
education and experience approved by IDFPR.
3. A security contractor’s license in Illinois expires every:
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Illinois security contractor licenses are valid for 2 years
from the date of issuance, requiring renewal before expiration.
4. Which scenario constitutes unlicensed activity for a security
contractor?
A) Supervising only 5 security guards at a single site
B) Advertising “armed security patrol” without an armed contractor
license
C) Hiring a licensed firm for subcontract work
D) Operating only in unincorporated areas of Illinois
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Advertising armed security services without the
appropriate armed contractor license is explicitly prohibited as
unlicensed activity under Illinois law.
,5. An Illinois security contractor must report a change of business
address to the IDFPR within:
A) 10 days
B) 15 days
C) 30 days
D) 60 days
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: IDFPR rules require licensees to notify the Department of
any address change within 30 days to keep records current.
6. Who may legally carry a firearm while on duty as an armed security
contractor employee in Illinois?
A) Any employee with a FOID card
B) Any employee with a FOID card and valid PERC
C) Any employee with an Armed Security Contractor Employee
registration
D) Any employee with a valid FOID and 40-hour firearms training
certificate
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Armed security personnel must have a FOID card and
complete a 40-hour firearms training course approved by IDFPR, in
addition to the PERC card.
7. A security contractor firm fails to maintain the required $1,000,000
liability insurance. The IDFPR may immediately:
A) Issue a citation of $500 per day
, B) Revoke only the firm’s armed license
C) Suspend the license until proof of insurance is provided
D) Refer the matter to local police
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Insurance is a mandatory requirement for licensure; failure
to maintain it results in automatic suspension until reinstated with
proof.
8. Which of the following actions is a violation of the Illinois Security
Contractor Act regarding employee records?
A) Retaining employee training records for 3 years
B) Disclosing an employee’s home address to a client without consent
C) Keeping PERC expiration dates in a locked file
D) Storing background check results separately from personnel files
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Disclosing personal employee information (home address,
SSN, etc.) to a client without consent violates privacy provisions under
the Act.
9. A security contractor may enter into a “reciprocal agreement” for
licensing with another state only if:
A) The other state has identical training standards
B) The IDFPR has declared the other state’s standards substantially
equivalent
C) The contractor passes an additional Illinois law exam
D) The other state is a member of ASIS International
