ILLINOIS SECURITY CONTRACTOR
LICENSING EXAMINATION
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES |
2026 EDITION
STAR 100 Questions | All Correct Answers Marked | Full Rationale on Every Question |
Instant Study Reference STAR
Based on 225 ILCS 447 | IDFPR Regulations | Illinois Administrative Code | General Security Contractor Knowledge
Licensing Requirements | Training Standards | Firearm Regulations | PERC Cards | Ethics & Conduct | Recordkeeping
,QUICK REFERENCE: Illinois Security Contractor Licensing
Key facts, numbers, and rules to memorize before the exam
Critical Numbers — Memorize These
Topic Key Number Context
Minimum age 21 years Minimum age for Security Contractor license
applicant
Minimum liability insurance $1,000,000 per General liability insurance required for all
occurrence contractors
License validity 3 years Must renew every 3 years with IDFPR
Address change notification 10 days Notify IDFPR within 10 days of any address
change
Qualifying agent departure 10 days to notify + 30 10 days to notify IDFPR; 30 days to designate new
days to replace agent
Employee termination notice 10 days Report to IDFPR within 10 days
Insurance carrier change 10 days Notify IDFPR within 10 days
Ownership change Immediately Report immediately to IDFPR
Firearm discharge reporting Immediately Report to local law enforcement AND IDFPR
Lost/stolen firearm reporting Immediately Report to law enforcement and employer
immediately
Unarmed guard basic training 20 hours Required before any assignment
Armed guard additional training 20 hours firearm course Plus range qualification; in addition to 20-hr basic
Armed guard requalification Annually Annual firearm requalification required
Firearm qualification renewal Annually (every year) Annual renewal of qualification certificate
Employee records retention 3 years minimum Training and employee records kept at least 3
years
Insurance records retention 3 years minimum Insurance documentation kept at least 3 years
Minimum experience to qualify 4 years Security or related supervisory work experience
Penalty for no license (1st) Class A misdemeanor Subsequent offenses may be felonies
Impersonating contractor Class A misdemeanor Performing security without a license
Max unlicensed personnel Zero — all must be No unlicensed employees may perform security
licensed duties
Key Agencies & Their Roles
Agency Role Authority
IDFPR (Illinois Dept. of Issues licenses; conducts inspections; Primary regulatory authority
Financial & Professional imposes sanctions; audits records under 225 ILCS 447
Regulation)
Illinois State Police Enforces firearm storage regulations; receives Shares authority with IDFPR on
firearm discharge reports firearms
Local Law Enforcement Receives immediate reports of firearm First responder authority
discharges; receives crime reports; receives
lost/stolen weapon reports
License & Registration Requirements
, What Every Applicant/Contractor Must Know
• Governing Statute: Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and
Locksmith Act of 2004 (225 ILCS 447)
• Issuing Authority: IDFPR (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation)
• Minimum Age: 21 years
• Minimum Experience: 4 years in security or related supervisory work
• Qualifying Agent: Every firm must have one; must be employed full-time in supervisory role;
responsible for all licensed operations
• PERC Card: Permanent Employee Registration Card — required for ALL individuals performing
security functions; determined by fingerprint-based background check
• Background Checks: Full fingerprint-based state AND federal (FBI) background checks required for
all employees
• License Display: Current license must be visibly displayed at each business location
• License Renewal: Every 3 years; must include proof of insurance, background checks, and
compliance
• Record Inspections: Only authorized IDFPR representatives may inspect licensee records
• Advertising Requirements: Must clearly state firm name and license number; must be truthful and not
misleading
• Separate Licenses Required: Alarm installation, private detective, and locksmith services each
require their own separate license
Training Requirements Summary
Personnel Type Required Training Requalification
Unarmed Security Guard 20-hour basic training course — BEFORE any As required by IDFPR or
assignment employer policy
Armed Security Guard 20-hour basic training PLUS 20-hour firearm course Annually — firearms
with range qualification requalification every year
All Personnel Refresher training as required by IDFPR or employer Ongoing continuing
policy education — courses
approved by IDFPR
Qualifying Agent Must demonstrate 4 years of experience; responsible Must maintain license
for all training compliance renewal every 3 years
Conduct, Ethics & Prohibited Actions
Category Permitted PROHIBITED
Law Patrol properties; access control; report Engage in law enforcement activity; conduct
Enforcement crimes to police criminal investigations; impersonate police
Weapons Carry employer-authorized firearms Carry fully automatic weapons; carry unauthorized
compliant with IDFPR; non-lethal firearms; carry concealed weapons without
weapons if trained and authorized approval
Client Info Maintain confidentiality; share only Share security plans, access codes, or client info
when legally required or authorized with unauthorized parties
Advertising Truthful ads with firm name and license Advertise with law enforcement imagery; advertise
number armed services without proper licensing
Subcontracting Use only licensed firms and employees Subcontract to unlicensed firms
Conduct Refuse service for legitimate Refuse based on race or religion; accept
safety/compliance reasons gifts/favors from clients (conflict of interest)
Force Use force only in lawful defense of life Use excessive force; discharge firearm as warning
or grave bodily harm only; discharge when suspect flees
,
LICENSING EXAMINATION
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES |
2026 EDITION
STAR 100 Questions | All Correct Answers Marked | Full Rationale on Every Question |
Instant Study Reference STAR
Based on 225 ILCS 447 | IDFPR Regulations | Illinois Administrative Code | General Security Contractor Knowledge
Licensing Requirements | Training Standards | Firearm Regulations | PERC Cards | Ethics & Conduct | Recordkeeping
,QUICK REFERENCE: Illinois Security Contractor Licensing
Key facts, numbers, and rules to memorize before the exam
Critical Numbers — Memorize These
Topic Key Number Context
Minimum age 21 years Minimum age for Security Contractor license
applicant
Minimum liability insurance $1,000,000 per General liability insurance required for all
occurrence contractors
License validity 3 years Must renew every 3 years with IDFPR
Address change notification 10 days Notify IDFPR within 10 days of any address
change
Qualifying agent departure 10 days to notify + 30 10 days to notify IDFPR; 30 days to designate new
days to replace agent
Employee termination notice 10 days Report to IDFPR within 10 days
Insurance carrier change 10 days Notify IDFPR within 10 days
Ownership change Immediately Report immediately to IDFPR
Firearm discharge reporting Immediately Report to local law enforcement AND IDFPR
Lost/stolen firearm reporting Immediately Report to law enforcement and employer
immediately
Unarmed guard basic training 20 hours Required before any assignment
Armed guard additional training 20 hours firearm course Plus range qualification; in addition to 20-hr basic
Armed guard requalification Annually Annual firearm requalification required
Firearm qualification renewal Annually (every year) Annual renewal of qualification certificate
Employee records retention 3 years minimum Training and employee records kept at least 3
years
Insurance records retention 3 years minimum Insurance documentation kept at least 3 years
Minimum experience to qualify 4 years Security or related supervisory work experience
Penalty for no license (1st) Class A misdemeanor Subsequent offenses may be felonies
Impersonating contractor Class A misdemeanor Performing security without a license
Max unlicensed personnel Zero — all must be No unlicensed employees may perform security
licensed duties
Key Agencies & Their Roles
Agency Role Authority
IDFPR (Illinois Dept. of Issues licenses; conducts inspections; Primary regulatory authority
Financial & Professional imposes sanctions; audits records under 225 ILCS 447
Regulation)
Illinois State Police Enforces firearm storage regulations; receives Shares authority with IDFPR on
firearm discharge reports firearms
Local Law Enforcement Receives immediate reports of firearm First responder authority
discharges; receives crime reports; receives
lost/stolen weapon reports
License & Registration Requirements
, What Every Applicant/Contractor Must Know
• Governing Statute: Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and
Locksmith Act of 2004 (225 ILCS 447)
• Issuing Authority: IDFPR (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation)
• Minimum Age: 21 years
• Minimum Experience: 4 years in security or related supervisory work
• Qualifying Agent: Every firm must have one; must be employed full-time in supervisory role;
responsible for all licensed operations
• PERC Card: Permanent Employee Registration Card — required for ALL individuals performing
security functions; determined by fingerprint-based background check
• Background Checks: Full fingerprint-based state AND federal (FBI) background checks required for
all employees
• License Display: Current license must be visibly displayed at each business location
• License Renewal: Every 3 years; must include proof of insurance, background checks, and
compliance
• Record Inspections: Only authorized IDFPR representatives may inspect licensee records
• Advertising Requirements: Must clearly state firm name and license number; must be truthful and not
misleading
• Separate Licenses Required: Alarm installation, private detective, and locksmith services each
require their own separate license
Training Requirements Summary
Personnel Type Required Training Requalification
Unarmed Security Guard 20-hour basic training course — BEFORE any As required by IDFPR or
assignment employer policy
Armed Security Guard 20-hour basic training PLUS 20-hour firearm course Annually — firearms
with range qualification requalification every year
All Personnel Refresher training as required by IDFPR or employer Ongoing continuing
policy education — courses
approved by IDFPR
Qualifying Agent Must demonstrate 4 years of experience; responsible Must maintain license
for all training compliance renewal every 3 years
Conduct, Ethics & Prohibited Actions
Category Permitted PROHIBITED
Law Patrol properties; access control; report Engage in law enforcement activity; conduct
Enforcement crimes to police criminal investigations; impersonate police
Weapons Carry employer-authorized firearms Carry fully automatic weapons; carry unauthorized
compliant with IDFPR; non-lethal firearms; carry concealed weapons without
weapons if trained and authorized approval
Client Info Maintain confidentiality; share only Share security plans, access codes, or client info
when legally required or authorized with unauthorized parties
Advertising Truthful ads with firm name and license Advertise with law enforcement imagery; advertise
number armed services without proper licensing
Subcontracting Use only licensed firms and employees Subcontract to unlicensed firms
Conduct Refuse service for legitimate Refuse based on race or religion; accept
safety/compliance reasons gifts/favors from clients (conflict of interest)
Force Use force only in lawful defense of life Use excessive force; discharge firearm as warning
or grave bodily harm only; discharge when suspect flees
,
