Private Investigator Exam 2025 –
Complete Study Guide & Practice
Questions real exam!!! 2025
What act regulates the investigative services and private security industry and governs the way the
private security and investigation industry operates in Ontario? - ANSWER ✔---The Private Security
and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA)
When was the PSISA proclaimed into force? - ANSWER ✔---August 23, 2007
What does the PSISA do? - ANSWER ✔---helps professionalize the industry, increase public safety
and ensure practitioners receive proper training and are qualified to provide private investigator
services
- regulates the investigative services and private security industry
- governs the way the private security and investigation industry operates in Ontario
When was the training and testing regulation made under the PSISA? - ANSWER ✔---- April 15, 2010
- all private investigators must fulfill the mandatory requirements of the training and testing regulation
in order to be eligible to apply for a licence
,Who needs a private investigator licence? - ANSWER ✔---- individuals are required to have a PI
license if they perform work, for remuneration, that consists primarily of conducting investigations to
provide information on the character, actions, business, occupation or whereabouts of a person
- Under the PSISA, loss prevention specialists are considered to be security guards and do not require a
private investigator licence
Private investigators must - ANSWER ✔---be familiar with the PSISA to ensure they follow the
regulations and prohibitions, including code of conduct
What are the licencing requirements under the PSISA? - ANSWER ✔---- subsection 10(1) of the
PSISA states that in order to be eligible for a PI licence, all individuals must have completed the required
training and testing, be at least 18 years old, possess a clean criminal record according to the clean
criminal record regulation, and be legally entitled to work in Canada
General Rules and Standard of Practice - ANSWER ✔---- PI must always carry their licence with them
when they are working. They must also identify themselves as Private Investigators, and show their
licence if a member of the public asks them to do so. HOWEVER, these requirements only apply to
people holding themselves out as private investigators which meanswer that individuals performing an
undercover investigation are not required to carry or show their licence (it would endanger them or
jeopardize the investigation)
- individuals are prohibited from carrying any symbol of authority, other than their licence (for example,
a metal badge is prohibited)
- PI are prohibited from holding themselves out as Police Officers, or performing police-related duties
which meanswer they are also prohibited from using the following words when referring to their work
as a PI: detective or private detective, law enforcement, police, officer,.
What regulations govern PI's and what regulations PI's licensees be familiar with? - ANSWER ✔---1.
Code of Conduct
2. Eligibility to hold a Licence - Clean Criminal Record
Code of Conduct - Regulation - ANSWER ✔---- this regulation defines what kind of behavior is
appropriate or inappropriate for private investigators to display while they are working. PI's will find that
respecting the Code of Conduct is, in most cases, a matter of common sense. PI's are expected to treat
members of the public in a respectful and professional manner. For instance, private investigators must:
act with honesty and integrity, comply with all federal, provincial and municipal laws, treat all persons
, equally (without discrimination), avoid using profanity or abusive language, avoid using excessive force,
and not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while working.
Eligibility to Hold Licence Regulation - Clean Criminal Record - ANSWER ✔---- this regulation lists a
series of criminal offences which are prescribed under the PSISA.
- persons who have been convicted of one of these offences and have not received a pardon are not
eligible for a PI licence, and any application they submit will not be processed
- persons who have been convicted of or charged with an offence that does not appear in the regulation
may be eligible for a licence. The Private Security and Investigative Services Branch (PSISB) will need to
review their file to determine if any restrictions should apply. This applicant may be given an
opportunity to be heard in order to discuss their case
Public Complaints - ANSWER ✔---- members of the public may file a public complaint against any
licensed individual or licensed company if they feel that a violation of the PSISA or its regulations has
been committed
- Public complaints can lead to facilitation. As well, the PSISB may investigative the matter and as a
result, charges may be laid against the licensee, a warning may be issued, or the licence may be revoked.
Individuals found guilty of an offence under the PSISA could face a fine of up to - ANSWER ✔---
$25,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. As such, it is crucial that PI's comply with all aspects
of the PSISA and its regulations to avoid the possibility of being named in a complaint or facing charges
PI's should have a basic understanding of the various statutes that apply to their field in Ontario, and
should be familiar with - ANSWER ✔---- criminal, civil, case, and common law
PIPEDA - - ANSWER ✔---- federal statute
- sets out rules that govern the collection, use and disclosure of personal information by organizations
engaged in commercial activities
- a licensed business entity engaging in an activity regulated by the PSISA is likely subject to PIPEDA
- PIPEDA is a consent based statute. This meanswer that licensed business entities are limited in what
third party personal information they can collect, use and disclose when they do not have the consent of
the person to whom the personal information belongs to
Complete Study Guide & Practice
Questions real exam!!! 2025
What act regulates the investigative services and private security industry and governs the way the
private security and investigation industry operates in Ontario? - ANSWER ✔---The Private Security
and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA)
When was the PSISA proclaimed into force? - ANSWER ✔---August 23, 2007
What does the PSISA do? - ANSWER ✔---helps professionalize the industry, increase public safety
and ensure practitioners receive proper training and are qualified to provide private investigator
services
- regulates the investigative services and private security industry
- governs the way the private security and investigation industry operates in Ontario
When was the training and testing regulation made under the PSISA? - ANSWER ✔---- April 15, 2010
- all private investigators must fulfill the mandatory requirements of the training and testing regulation
in order to be eligible to apply for a licence
,Who needs a private investigator licence? - ANSWER ✔---- individuals are required to have a PI
license if they perform work, for remuneration, that consists primarily of conducting investigations to
provide information on the character, actions, business, occupation or whereabouts of a person
- Under the PSISA, loss prevention specialists are considered to be security guards and do not require a
private investigator licence
Private investigators must - ANSWER ✔---be familiar with the PSISA to ensure they follow the
regulations and prohibitions, including code of conduct
What are the licencing requirements under the PSISA? - ANSWER ✔---- subsection 10(1) of the
PSISA states that in order to be eligible for a PI licence, all individuals must have completed the required
training and testing, be at least 18 years old, possess a clean criminal record according to the clean
criminal record regulation, and be legally entitled to work in Canada
General Rules and Standard of Practice - ANSWER ✔---- PI must always carry their licence with them
when they are working. They must also identify themselves as Private Investigators, and show their
licence if a member of the public asks them to do so. HOWEVER, these requirements only apply to
people holding themselves out as private investigators which meanswer that individuals performing an
undercover investigation are not required to carry or show their licence (it would endanger them or
jeopardize the investigation)
- individuals are prohibited from carrying any symbol of authority, other than their licence (for example,
a metal badge is prohibited)
- PI are prohibited from holding themselves out as Police Officers, or performing police-related duties
which meanswer they are also prohibited from using the following words when referring to their work
as a PI: detective or private detective, law enforcement, police, officer,.
What regulations govern PI's and what regulations PI's licensees be familiar with? - ANSWER ✔---1.
Code of Conduct
2. Eligibility to hold a Licence - Clean Criminal Record
Code of Conduct - Regulation - ANSWER ✔---- this regulation defines what kind of behavior is
appropriate or inappropriate for private investigators to display while they are working. PI's will find that
respecting the Code of Conduct is, in most cases, a matter of common sense. PI's are expected to treat
members of the public in a respectful and professional manner. For instance, private investigators must:
act with honesty and integrity, comply with all federal, provincial and municipal laws, treat all persons
, equally (without discrimination), avoid using profanity or abusive language, avoid using excessive force,
and not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while working.
Eligibility to Hold Licence Regulation - Clean Criminal Record - ANSWER ✔---- this regulation lists a
series of criminal offences which are prescribed under the PSISA.
- persons who have been convicted of one of these offences and have not received a pardon are not
eligible for a PI licence, and any application they submit will not be processed
- persons who have been convicted of or charged with an offence that does not appear in the regulation
may be eligible for a licence. The Private Security and Investigative Services Branch (PSISB) will need to
review their file to determine if any restrictions should apply. This applicant may be given an
opportunity to be heard in order to discuss their case
Public Complaints - ANSWER ✔---- members of the public may file a public complaint against any
licensed individual or licensed company if they feel that a violation of the PSISA or its regulations has
been committed
- Public complaints can lead to facilitation. As well, the PSISB may investigative the matter and as a
result, charges may be laid against the licensee, a warning may be issued, or the licence may be revoked.
Individuals found guilty of an offence under the PSISA could face a fine of up to - ANSWER ✔---
$25,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. As such, it is crucial that PI's comply with all aspects
of the PSISA and its regulations to avoid the possibility of being named in a complaint or facing charges
PI's should have a basic understanding of the various statutes that apply to their field in Ontario, and
should be familiar with - ANSWER ✔---- criminal, civil, case, and common law
PIPEDA - - ANSWER ✔---- federal statute
- sets out rules that govern the collection, use and disclosure of personal information by organizations
engaged in commercial activities
- a licensed business entity engaging in an activity regulated by the PSISA is likely subject to PIPEDA
- PIPEDA is a consent based statute. This meanswer that licensed business entities are limited in what
third party personal information they can collect, use and disclose when they do not have the consent of
the person to whom the personal information belongs to
