ILLINOIS PRIVATE DETECTIVE
LICENSING EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
1. Which Illinois state agency is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the
Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of
2004?
A. Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
B. Illinois State Police
C. Secretary of State
D. Attorney General’s Office
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The IDFPR oversees the licensing and regulation of private
detectives under the 2004 Act.
2. To qualify for a private detective license in Illinois, an applicant must have been lawfully
employed in the investigative field for at least how many years?
A. 1 out of the last 3 years
B. 3 out of the last 5 years
,C. 2 out of the last 10 years
D. 5 out of the last 7 years
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Illinois law requires 3 years of experience within the 5 years
immediately preceding the application.
3. What is the minimum amount of general liability insurance a private detective agency must
maintain for a license to remain valid?
A. $100,000
B. $500,000
C. $2,000,000
D. $1,000,000
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Licensees must maintain at least $1 million in general liability
insurance.
4. Illinois is considered a ‘two-party consent’ state regarding audio recordings. What does this
mean for a private detective?
A. Only the detective needs to consent to the recording.
B. Private detectives are exempt from eavesdropping laws.
C. Consent is only required if the recording is used in court.
, D. All parties to a conversation must consent to being recorded.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Under the Illinois Eavesdropping Act, recording a private
conversation without the consent of all parties is generally a felony.
5. What does ‘PERC’ stand for in the context of Illinois private security and investigation?
A. Professional Employee Registration Certificate
B. Private Employee Record Card
C. Personal Employment Regulatory Code
D. Permanent Employee Registration Card
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The PERC is required for employees of private detective or
security agencies who perform regulated functions.
6. How long is a PERC valid before it must be renewed?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 5 years
D. 3 years
Answer: D
LICENSING EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
1. Which Illinois state agency is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the
Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of
2004?
A. Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
B. Illinois State Police
C. Secretary of State
D. Attorney General’s Office
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The IDFPR oversees the licensing and regulation of private
detectives under the 2004 Act.
2. To qualify for a private detective license in Illinois, an applicant must have been lawfully
employed in the investigative field for at least how many years?
A. 1 out of the last 3 years
B. 3 out of the last 5 years
,C. 2 out of the last 10 years
D. 5 out of the last 7 years
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Illinois law requires 3 years of experience within the 5 years
immediately preceding the application.
3. What is the minimum amount of general liability insurance a private detective agency must
maintain for a license to remain valid?
A. $100,000
B. $500,000
C. $2,000,000
D. $1,000,000
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Licensees must maintain at least $1 million in general liability
insurance.
4. Illinois is considered a ‘two-party consent’ state regarding audio recordings. What does this
mean for a private detective?
A. Only the detective needs to consent to the recording.
B. Private detectives are exempt from eavesdropping laws.
C. Consent is only required if the recording is used in court.
, D. All parties to a conversation must consent to being recorded.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Under the Illinois Eavesdropping Act, recording a private
conversation without the consent of all parties is generally a felony.
5. What does ‘PERC’ stand for in the context of Illinois private security and investigation?
A. Professional Employee Registration Certificate
B. Private Employee Record Card
C. Personal Employment Regulatory Code
D. Permanent Employee Registration Card
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The PERC is required for employees of private detective or
security agencies who perform regulated functions.
6. How long is a PERC valid before it must be renewed?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 5 years
D. 3 years
Answer: D
