Virginia Armed Security Officer Certification Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A| Already Rated
A+ Instant Download Pdf
MULTIPLE CHOICES
1. What does DCJS stand for?
A) District Criminal Justice System
B) Department of Criminal Justice Services
C) Division of Court and Judicial Standards
D) Domestic Crimes and Justice Section
Answer: B
Rationale: The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is the state agency that regulates and sets
training standards for security officers, law enforcement, and criminal justice professionals in Virginia.
2. How long is a DCJS security officer registration valid?
A) 12 months
B) 18 months
C) 24 months
D) 36 months
Answer: C
Rationale: Both armed and unarmed security officer registrations with DCJS are valid for 24 months (2 years)
from the date of issuance.
3. How many total hours of entry-level training are required for Armed Security Officer certification in Virginia?
A) 18 hours
B) 36 hours
1|Page SUCCESS!!!
,C) 42 hours
D) 50 hours
Answer: D
Rationale: Armed certification requires 18 hours (01E unarmed core) + 8 hours (05E arrest authority) + 24 hours
(75E handgun training) = 50 hours total. Shotgun training (08E) adds 3 hours if applicable.
4. How long is a firearms endorsement valid for an armed security officer?
A) 6 months
B) 12 months (1 year)
C) 24 months (2 years)
D) 36 months (3 years)
Answer: B
Rationale: While the security officer registration is valid for 24 months, the firearms endorsement specifically
must be renewed annually through 07R Handgun Retraining (4 hours).
5. What is the minimum age requirement for security officer registration in Virginia?
A) 16 years old
B) 17 years old
C) 18 years old
D) 21 years old
Answer: C
Rationale: The minimum age for both armed and unarmed security officer registration is 18 years old. Additional
requirements include U.S. residency and no disqualifying criminal convictions.
6. How many hours of in-service training are required annually for a registered security officer?
A) 2 hours every 12 months
B) 4 hours every 12 months
2|Page SUCCESS!!!
,C) 6 hours every 12 months
D) 8 hours every 24 months
Answer: B
Rationale: Registered security officers must complete 4 hours of in-service training (01I) every 12 months to
maintain their registration. Armed officers must also complete 4 hours of firearms requalification (07R).
7. Within how many days must an officer notify DCJS in writing after pleading guilty to a criminal offense?
A) 5 days
B) 10 days
C) 15 days
D) 30 days
Answer: B
Rationale: Officers must inform DCJS in writing within 10 days of pleading guilty to or being convicted of any
criminal offense, as this may affect registration status .
8. True or False: An armed security officer has the same arrest powers as a police officer.
A) True
B) False
Answer: B (False)
Rationale: Private security officers, whether armed or unarmed, do not possess law enforcement arrest powers.
Their authority is limited to citizen's arrest powers available to any private citizen under Virginia law .
9. Can a security officer search someone's belongings without consent?
A) Yes, always
B) Yes, if they suspect criminal activity
C) Only with the person's consent or specific property owner authorization
D) No, never under any circumstances
3|Page SUCCESS!!!
, Answer: C
Rationale: Security officers generally cannot conduct non-consensual searches without specific authorization
from the property owner within the scope of employment. The Fourth Amendment primarily restricts
government agents, but private searches may still result in civil liability .
10. Which of the following is required to become a registered security officer in Virginia? (Select all that apply)
A) Complete required training class
B) Pay applicable fees
C) Submit completed application
D) Provide fingerprints
E) Pass a physical fitness test
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Requirements include completing training, paying fees, submitting application, and providing
fingerprints. A physical fitness test is NOT a requirement for DCJS security officer registration .
11. Can a private security business display the Virginia State Seal?
A) Yes, with proper authorization
B) Yes, but only on uniforms
C) Yes, but only on vehicles
D) No, never
Answer: D
Rationale: Private security businesses cannot use or display the Virginia State Seal for any purpose, as it is
reserved exclusively for official government use .
12. An armed security officer's registration is set to expire. When should they submit renewal application?
A) After expiration date
4|Page SUCCESS!!!
Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A| Already Rated
A+ Instant Download Pdf
MULTIPLE CHOICES
1. What does DCJS stand for?
A) District Criminal Justice System
B) Department of Criminal Justice Services
C) Division of Court and Judicial Standards
D) Domestic Crimes and Justice Section
Answer: B
Rationale: The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is the state agency that regulates and sets
training standards for security officers, law enforcement, and criminal justice professionals in Virginia.
2. How long is a DCJS security officer registration valid?
A) 12 months
B) 18 months
C) 24 months
D) 36 months
Answer: C
Rationale: Both armed and unarmed security officer registrations with DCJS are valid for 24 months (2 years)
from the date of issuance.
3. How many total hours of entry-level training are required for Armed Security Officer certification in Virginia?
A) 18 hours
B) 36 hours
1|Page SUCCESS!!!
,C) 42 hours
D) 50 hours
Answer: D
Rationale: Armed certification requires 18 hours (01E unarmed core) + 8 hours (05E arrest authority) + 24 hours
(75E handgun training) = 50 hours total. Shotgun training (08E) adds 3 hours if applicable.
4. How long is a firearms endorsement valid for an armed security officer?
A) 6 months
B) 12 months (1 year)
C) 24 months (2 years)
D) 36 months (3 years)
Answer: B
Rationale: While the security officer registration is valid for 24 months, the firearms endorsement specifically
must be renewed annually through 07R Handgun Retraining (4 hours).
5. What is the minimum age requirement for security officer registration in Virginia?
A) 16 years old
B) 17 years old
C) 18 years old
D) 21 years old
Answer: C
Rationale: The minimum age for both armed and unarmed security officer registration is 18 years old. Additional
requirements include U.S. residency and no disqualifying criminal convictions.
6. How many hours of in-service training are required annually for a registered security officer?
A) 2 hours every 12 months
B) 4 hours every 12 months
2|Page SUCCESS!!!
,C) 6 hours every 12 months
D) 8 hours every 24 months
Answer: B
Rationale: Registered security officers must complete 4 hours of in-service training (01I) every 12 months to
maintain their registration. Armed officers must also complete 4 hours of firearms requalification (07R).
7. Within how many days must an officer notify DCJS in writing after pleading guilty to a criminal offense?
A) 5 days
B) 10 days
C) 15 days
D) 30 days
Answer: B
Rationale: Officers must inform DCJS in writing within 10 days of pleading guilty to or being convicted of any
criminal offense, as this may affect registration status .
8. True or False: An armed security officer has the same arrest powers as a police officer.
A) True
B) False
Answer: B (False)
Rationale: Private security officers, whether armed or unarmed, do not possess law enforcement arrest powers.
Their authority is limited to citizen's arrest powers available to any private citizen under Virginia law .
9. Can a security officer search someone's belongings without consent?
A) Yes, always
B) Yes, if they suspect criminal activity
C) Only with the person's consent or specific property owner authorization
D) No, never under any circumstances
3|Page SUCCESS!!!
, Answer: C
Rationale: Security officers generally cannot conduct non-consensual searches without specific authorization
from the property owner within the scope of employment. The Fourth Amendment primarily restricts
government agents, but private searches may still result in civil liability .
10. Which of the following is required to become a registered security officer in Virginia? (Select all that apply)
A) Complete required training class
B) Pay applicable fees
C) Submit completed application
D) Provide fingerprints
E) Pass a physical fitness test
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Requirements include completing training, paying fees, submitting application, and providing
fingerprints. A physical fitness test is NOT a requirement for DCJS security officer registration .
11. Can a private security business display the Virginia State Seal?
A) Yes, with proper authorization
B) Yes, but only on uniforms
C) Yes, but only on vehicles
D) No, never
Answer: D
Rationale: Private security businesses cannot use or display the Virginia State Seal for any purpose, as it is
reserved exclusively for official government use .
12. An armed security officer's registration is set to expire. When should they submit renewal application?
A) After expiration date
4|Page SUCCESS!!!
