New York Security Guard Licensing Exam
Practice Test Questions And Correct
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Question 1: What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a New York Security
Guard license?
A) 16 years old
B) 18 years old
C) 21 years old
D) 25 years old
Answer: B
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply for a New York State
Security Guard license . This applies to both armed and unarmed security guards.
Question 2: Which agency regulates security guard licensing in New York State?
A) Department of Homeland Security
B) New York State Department of State (Division of Licensing Services)
C) Department of Corrections
D) Office of Public Safety
Answer: B
Rationale: The NYS Department of State's Division of Licensing Services oversees
licensing and regulation of security guards in New York State .
,Question 3: Which agency is responsible for fingerprint clearance for New York security
guard applicants?
A) The employer
B) Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
C) Department of Labor
D) Local police
Answer: B
Rationale: The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) handles fingerprint
background checks for security guard applicants .
Question 4: How many hours is the required pre-assignment training course for
unarmed security guards?
A) 4 hours
B) 8 hours
C) 16 hours
D) 40 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: New York requires an 8-hour pre-assignment course before employment .
This is a general introductory course covering legal powers, communications, and ethics.
Question 5: Within how many days must a new security guard complete the 16-hour
on-the-job training?
A) 15 days
B) 30 days
C) 90 days
D) 120 days
Answer: C
Rationale: The 16-hour On-The-Job Training (OJT) course must be completed within 90
days of employment as a security guard .
,Question 6: How often must a security guard complete an annual in-service training
course?
A) Every 6 months
B) Every 12 months
C) Every 18 months
D) Every 24 months
Answer: B
Rationale: Security guards must complete an 8-hour annual in-service training course
every calendar year . A registration is issued for two years; therefore, two annual courses
must be completed during that period .
Question 7: What document must a security guard always carry while on duty?
A) Birth certificate
B) Tax ID
C) Security Guard Registration Card
D) Driver's license only
Answer: C
Rationale: Guards must carry their registration card issued by the NYS Department of
State while on duty .
Question 8: If a guard changes their home address, how long do they have to notify the
Department of State?
A) 15 days
B) 30 days
C) 60 days
D) 10 days
Answer: D
, Rationale: Guards must notify the Department of State within 10 days of changing their
home address .
Question 9: Who is responsible for completing the security guard's employment status
form?
A) The Department of State
B) The employee
C) The employer
D) The police
Answer: C
Rationale: Employers must submit an employment status notification when hiring or
terminating a guard .
Question 10: In which year was the New York Security Guard Act enacted?
A) 1985
B) 1992
C) 1998
D) 2001
Answer: B
Rationale: The Security Guard Act was enacted in 1992 to regulate private security
personnel in New York State .
Question 11: Under New York law, which of the following best defines a "security
guard"?
A) Any person who carries a firearm for personal protection.
B) A person employed to protect persons or property and who is licensed by the
state.
C) Any police officer on temporary assignment to a private facility.
D) A volunteer who assists in crowd control at public events.
Practice Test Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026|2027 Q&A | Instant
download Pdf
Question 1: What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a New York Security
Guard license?
A) 16 years old
B) 18 years old
C) 21 years old
D) 25 years old
Answer: B
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply for a New York State
Security Guard license . This applies to both armed and unarmed security guards.
Question 2: Which agency regulates security guard licensing in New York State?
A) Department of Homeland Security
B) New York State Department of State (Division of Licensing Services)
C) Department of Corrections
D) Office of Public Safety
Answer: B
Rationale: The NYS Department of State's Division of Licensing Services oversees
licensing and regulation of security guards in New York State .
,Question 3: Which agency is responsible for fingerprint clearance for New York security
guard applicants?
A) The employer
B) Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
C) Department of Labor
D) Local police
Answer: B
Rationale: The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) handles fingerprint
background checks for security guard applicants .
Question 4: How many hours is the required pre-assignment training course for
unarmed security guards?
A) 4 hours
B) 8 hours
C) 16 hours
D) 40 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: New York requires an 8-hour pre-assignment course before employment .
This is a general introductory course covering legal powers, communications, and ethics.
Question 5: Within how many days must a new security guard complete the 16-hour
on-the-job training?
A) 15 days
B) 30 days
C) 90 days
D) 120 days
Answer: C
Rationale: The 16-hour On-The-Job Training (OJT) course must be completed within 90
days of employment as a security guard .
,Question 6: How often must a security guard complete an annual in-service training
course?
A) Every 6 months
B) Every 12 months
C) Every 18 months
D) Every 24 months
Answer: B
Rationale: Security guards must complete an 8-hour annual in-service training course
every calendar year . A registration is issued for two years; therefore, two annual courses
must be completed during that period .
Question 7: What document must a security guard always carry while on duty?
A) Birth certificate
B) Tax ID
C) Security Guard Registration Card
D) Driver's license only
Answer: C
Rationale: Guards must carry their registration card issued by the NYS Department of
State while on duty .
Question 8: If a guard changes their home address, how long do they have to notify the
Department of State?
A) 15 days
B) 30 days
C) 60 days
D) 10 days
Answer: D
, Rationale: Guards must notify the Department of State within 10 days of changing their
home address .
Question 9: Who is responsible for completing the security guard's employment status
form?
A) The Department of State
B) The employee
C) The employer
D) The police
Answer: C
Rationale: Employers must submit an employment status notification when hiring or
terminating a guard .
Question 10: In which year was the New York Security Guard Act enacted?
A) 1985
B) 1992
C) 1998
D) 2001
Answer: B
Rationale: The Security Guard Act was enacted in 1992 to regulate private security
personnel in New York State .
Question 11: Under New York law, which of the following best defines a "security
guard"?
A) Any person who carries a firearm for personal protection.
B) A person employed to protect persons or property and who is licensed by the
state.
C) Any police officer on temporary assignment to a private facility.
D) A volunteer who assists in crowd control at public events.
