1. A security contractor’s employee is caught carrying a concealed firearm without a valid
FOID card. What is the most likely violation?
A) Misdemeanor offense only
B) Class 4 felony under the Illinois Security Contractor Licensing Act
C) No violation if acting during work hours
D) Civil penalty by the Department of Labor
Rationale: Illinois law requires security employees to have a valid FOID when carrying a
firearm; without it, the contractor and employee face felony charges.
2. You open a security agency in Chicago. How many hours of pre-assignment training
must your unarmed guards complete before working?
A) 8 hours
B) 20 hours
C) 40 hours
D) 10 hours
Rationale: Illinois mandates 20 hours of pre-assignment training for unarmed security
officers under the Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) rules.*
3. During a site patrol, your guard discovers a break-in in progress. What is the guard’s
primary legal duty?
A) Confront the intruder
B) Contact local law enforcement immediately
C) Detain the intruder using handcuffs
D) Wait for the security supervisor
Rationale: Security contractors in Illinois are not sworn officers; they must report
felonies in progress to police without unnecessary detention or use of force.
4. A client asks you to install hidden cameras in employee restrooms. Under Illinois law,
you should:
, A) Comply if the client signs a waiver
B) Refuse because it violates the Illinois Eavesdropping Act
C) Install only with visible signage
D) Install but delete footage daily
Rationale: Hidden cameras in areas of expected privacy (restrooms) are illegal
eavesdropping under 720 ILCS 5/14-2, regardless of client request.*
5. Your agency’s license expires in 60 days. When must you submit renewal to the Illinois
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)?
A) At least 30 days before expiration
B) On the expiration date
C) Within 30 days after expiration
D) 90 days before expiration
Rationale: IDFPR rules require renewal application no later than 30 days prior to
license expiration to avoid late fees and lapses.
6. A security guard uses pepper spray on a trespasser who is verbally abusive but not
physically threatening. This is:
A) Reasonable force under the Act
B) Excessive force and grounds for license revocation
C) Permitted if the guard gave a warning
D) Allowed only after 9 PM
Rationale: Force must be proportional; non-physical provocation does not justify
chemical agents, and such misuse can lead to disciplinary action.
7. You hire a felon convicted of burglary 7 years ago. Under the Safety Employee License
Act (SELA), can they work as an unarmed guard?
A) Yes, after 5 years have passed
B) No, if burglary is a disqualifying offense
C) Yes, only with a waiver from IDFPR
D) No, unless they obtain a pardon
Rationale: Certain felonies, including burglary, permanently disqualify unless IDFPR
grants a specific waiver based on rehabilitation.
,8. Your armed guard accidently discharges a firearm into a wall at a construction site. When
must you report this to IDFPR?
A) Within 24 hours
B) Immediately but no later than 48 hours
C) Within 10 business days
D) Only if someone is injured
Rationale: Accidental discharge of a firearm by a registered security officer must be
reported to IDFPR within 48 hours under administrative rules.
9. A guard wears a badge that says “Police” in large letters with “Security” in small print
below. Is this legal?
A) Yes, because “Security” is included
B) No – false impersonation of a peace officer
C) Yes, for private events only
D) No, unless the client approves
Rationale: Badges resembling law enforcement are prohibited; using “Police” misleads
the public and violates the Criminal Code.
10. You terminate a guard for theft. How long must you keep the termination record under
IDFPR rules?
A) 1 year
B) 3 years
C) 5 years
D) Indefinitely
Rationale: Licensees must maintain personnel records, including terminations for
misconduct, for at least three years for potential audits.
11. A client demands you provide “striking and restraining” techniques training. What is your
obligation?
A) Provide training as requested
B) Decline unless the training meets state-approved use-of-force standards
C) Provide training but only with video recording
D) Require the client to sign a liability waiver
, Rationale: Security training in Illinois must follow IDFPR-approved curricula; excessive
or defensive tactics require specific authorization.
12. Your company operates both security and private investigation. You must:
A) Get two separate licenses
B) Hold a dual license under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and
Locksmith Act
C) Only a security license is needed
D) Register as a business corporation
Rationale: A single agency can hold both security and detective licenses, but each
requires separate application and bonding.
13. A security contractor is convicted of a Class A misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
IDFPR may:
A) Do nothing if it is a first offense
B) Suspend or revoke the license
C) Issue a written warning only
D) Require additional training
Rationale: Moral turpitude crimes (theft, fraud) are grounds for license discipline under
the Act’s moral fitness clause.
14. When conducting a background check for a new hire, which disqualifier is permanent for
armed positions?
A) DUI from 10 years ago
B) Domestic battery conviction
C) Juvenile trespass adjudication
D) Expunged shoplifting charge
Rationale: Domestic battery is a forcible felony in Illinois and permanently bars armed
security registration.
15. You want to carry a concealed firearm while off-duty. Do you need permission from your
security agency?
A) No, off-duty is personal time
B) Yes – you must follow agency policy and Illinois concealed carry law
FOID card. What is the most likely violation?
A) Misdemeanor offense only
B) Class 4 felony under the Illinois Security Contractor Licensing Act
C) No violation if acting during work hours
D) Civil penalty by the Department of Labor
Rationale: Illinois law requires security employees to have a valid FOID when carrying a
firearm; without it, the contractor and employee face felony charges.
2. You open a security agency in Chicago. How many hours of pre-assignment training
must your unarmed guards complete before working?
A) 8 hours
B) 20 hours
C) 40 hours
D) 10 hours
Rationale: Illinois mandates 20 hours of pre-assignment training for unarmed security
officers under the Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) rules.*
3. During a site patrol, your guard discovers a break-in in progress. What is the guard’s
primary legal duty?
A) Confront the intruder
B) Contact local law enforcement immediately
C) Detain the intruder using handcuffs
D) Wait for the security supervisor
Rationale: Security contractors in Illinois are not sworn officers; they must report
felonies in progress to police without unnecessary detention or use of force.
4. A client asks you to install hidden cameras in employee restrooms. Under Illinois law,
you should:
, A) Comply if the client signs a waiver
B) Refuse because it violates the Illinois Eavesdropping Act
C) Install only with visible signage
D) Install but delete footage daily
Rationale: Hidden cameras in areas of expected privacy (restrooms) are illegal
eavesdropping under 720 ILCS 5/14-2, regardless of client request.*
5. Your agency’s license expires in 60 days. When must you submit renewal to the Illinois
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)?
A) At least 30 days before expiration
B) On the expiration date
C) Within 30 days after expiration
D) 90 days before expiration
Rationale: IDFPR rules require renewal application no later than 30 days prior to
license expiration to avoid late fees and lapses.
6. A security guard uses pepper spray on a trespasser who is verbally abusive but not
physically threatening. This is:
A) Reasonable force under the Act
B) Excessive force and grounds for license revocation
C) Permitted if the guard gave a warning
D) Allowed only after 9 PM
Rationale: Force must be proportional; non-physical provocation does not justify
chemical agents, and such misuse can lead to disciplinary action.
7. You hire a felon convicted of burglary 7 years ago. Under the Safety Employee License
Act (SELA), can they work as an unarmed guard?
A) Yes, after 5 years have passed
B) No, if burglary is a disqualifying offense
C) Yes, only with a waiver from IDFPR
D) No, unless they obtain a pardon
Rationale: Certain felonies, including burglary, permanently disqualify unless IDFPR
grants a specific waiver based on rehabilitation.
,8. Your armed guard accidently discharges a firearm into a wall at a construction site. When
must you report this to IDFPR?
A) Within 24 hours
B) Immediately but no later than 48 hours
C) Within 10 business days
D) Only if someone is injured
Rationale: Accidental discharge of a firearm by a registered security officer must be
reported to IDFPR within 48 hours under administrative rules.
9. A guard wears a badge that says “Police” in large letters with “Security” in small print
below. Is this legal?
A) Yes, because “Security” is included
B) No – false impersonation of a peace officer
C) Yes, for private events only
D) No, unless the client approves
Rationale: Badges resembling law enforcement are prohibited; using “Police” misleads
the public and violates the Criminal Code.
10. You terminate a guard for theft. How long must you keep the termination record under
IDFPR rules?
A) 1 year
B) 3 years
C) 5 years
D) Indefinitely
Rationale: Licensees must maintain personnel records, including terminations for
misconduct, for at least three years for potential audits.
11. A client demands you provide “striking and restraining” techniques training. What is your
obligation?
A) Provide training as requested
B) Decline unless the training meets state-approved use-of-force standards
C) Provide training but only with video recording
D) Require the client to sign a liability waiver
, Rationale: Security training in Illinois must follow IDFPR-approved curricula; excessive
or defensive tactics require specific authorization.
12. Your company operates both security and private investigation. You must:
A) Get two separate licenses
B) Hold a dual license under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and
Locksmith Act
C) Only a security license is needed
D) Register as a business corporation
Rationale: A single agency can hold both security and detective licenses, but each
requires separate application and bonding.
13. A security contractor is convicted of a Class A misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
IDFPR may:
A) Do nothing if it is a first offense
B) Suspend or revoke the license
C) Issue a written warning only
D) Require additional training
Rationale: Moral turpitude crimes (theft, fraud) are grounds for license discipline under
the Act’s moral fitness clause.
14. When conducting a background check for a new hire, which disqualifier is permanent for
armed positions?
A) DUI from 10 years ago
B) Domestic battery conviction
C) Juvenile trespass adjudication
D) Expunged shoplifting charge
Rationale: Domestic battery is a forcible felony in Illinois and permanently bars armed
security registration.
15. You want to carry a concealed firearm while off-duty. Do you need permission from your
security agency?
A) No, off-duty is personal time
B) Yes – you must follow agency policy and Illinois concealed carry law
