Texas DPS Private Security Bureau Qualified Manager Exam
Study Guide and Key Concepts 2025/ 2026 Complete Texas
Licensing Preparation Material - 204 Questions and Answers
Already Graded A+ Premium Exam Tested And Verified
Subject Area Texas Private Security Law, Ethics, Operations, and Management
Description This rigorous examination assesses mastery of Texas DPS Private Security Bureau
regulations, legal use of force, ethical decision-making, emergency planning,
report writing, personnel supervision, access control, surveillance, risk
management, and de-escalation-all essential for the Qualified Manager license.
Designed for experienced security professionals seeking top-tier certification.
Expected Grade A+
Total Questions 204
Duration 3 hours
Learning Outcomes 1. Analyze complex legal scenarios involving private security authority under
Texas Occupations Code.
2. Evaluate ethical dilemmas and apply the Texas Private Security Board Code of
Ethics.
3. Design emergency response plans integrating panic alarms, medical response,
and evacuation protocols.
4. Differentiate between types of surveillance and their legal constraints.
5. Formulate supervisory strategies to mitigate liability and ensure regulatory
compliance.
Accreditation Complies with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Private Security Bureau
standards for Qualified Manager licensure and meets rigorous assessment criteria
equivalent to top R1 US university graduate-level courses.
Page 1
,1. A security manager is reviewing a policy on the use of force by unarmed
officers. Under Texas law, an unarmed private security officer may use force to
protect a third party only if:
A. The officer reasonably believes the third party is facing imminent death or serious
bodily injury, and the officer has a special relationship with that party.
B. The officer is acting within the scope of employment and the use of force is
proportional to the perceived threat, regardless of the threatened party's relationship.
C. The officer has explicit written authorization from the property owner and the
threat involves a felony in progress.
D. The officer is licensed as a personal protection officer and the third party is a client
under a current contract.
Answer: A. The officer reasonably believes the third party is facing imminent
death or serious bodily injury, and the officer has a special relationship with
that party.
Under Texas Penal Code §9.33, a person may use force to protect a third party if
they reasonably believe the third party is facing imminent death or serious bodily
injury and, critically, the person has a special relationship (e.g., family,
employment) or legal duty to protect that party. Option B is incorrect because
'scope of employment' does not override the special relationship requirement.
Option C fails because written authorization does not substitute for legal
justification. Option D is too narrow-the statute applies beyond personal
protection contracts.
Page 2
,2. During an internal audit, a Qualified Manager discovers that a security
officer completed the required 30-hour pre-assignment training only 20 hours,
yet the training certificate was signed off. According to Texas Administrative
Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 35, which of the following best describes the
manager's legal and ethical obligations?
A. Report the violation to DPS within 30 days and terminate the officer's employment
immediately.
B. Initiate a corrective action plan requiring the officer to complete the missing hours
within 90 days, while retaining the officer on duty.
C. Self-report the violation to DPS and suspend the officer's duties until the full
training is completed; failure to report could result in license revocation.
D. No action needed because the officer passed the proficiency exam, demonstrating
competency.
Answer: C. Self-report the violation to DPS and suspend the officer's duties
until the full training is completed; failure to report could result in license
revocation.
Texas DPS regulations (37 TAC §35.30) mandate complete pre-assignment
training before duty; any falsification must be self-reported. The manager must
suspend the officer to prevent unlawful practice, and failure to report can lead to
revocation of the manager's own license. Option A is too harsh-immediate
termination is not mandated. Option B is incorrect because the officer cannot
work deficiently. Option D ignores the legal requirement for documented hours
regardless of exam performance.
Page 3
, 3. A qualified manager is called to mediate a dispute between two armed
security officers who disagree on whether to intervene in a non-violent
shoplifting incident. One officer invokes the 'guardian mindset,' while the other
insists on aggressive enforcement. Which ethical framework best resolves the
conflict while aligning with Texas Private Security Board principles?
A. Deontological ethics: apply the rules strictly-shoplifting is illegal, so intervene with
force if necessary.
B. Utilitarian ethics: weigh the potential harm of intervention against the benefit of
apprehension; if intervention risks escalation, do not intervene.
C. Virtue ethics: prioritize the character traits of prudence and restraint, choosing the
action that reflects professional honor.
D. Ethical relativism: defer to the property owner's policy regardless of personal
beliefs.
Answer: C. Virtue ethics: prioritize the character traits of prudence and
restraint, choosing the action that reflects professional honor.
The Texas Private Security Board Code of Ethics emphasizes professionalism,
integrity, and the exercise of good judgment. Virtue ethics focuses on the
character of the decision-maker; prudence and restraint align with the board's
emphasis on avoiding unnecessary force and respecting rights. Deontology (A) is
too rigid-rules alone don't guide proportion. Utilitarianism (B) is outcomes-based
but may undervalue legal duties. Relativism (D) avoids personal moral
responsibility, contrary to ethical leadership.
Page 4
Study Guide and Key Concepts 2025/ 2026 Complete Texas
Licensing Preparation Material - 204 Questions and Answers
Already Graded A+ Premium Exam Tested And Verified
Subject Area Texas Private Security Law, Ethics, Operations, and Management
Description This rigorous examination assesses mastery of Texas DPS Private Security Bureau
regulations, legal use of force, ethical decision-making, emergency planning,
report writing, personnel supervision, access control, surveillance, risk
management, and de-escalation-all essential for the Qualified Manager license.
Designed for experienced security professionals seeking top-tier certification.
Expected Grade A+
Total Questions 204
Duration 3 hours
Learning Outcomes 1. Analyze complex legal scenarios involving private security authority under
Texas Occupations Code.
2. Evaluate ethical dilemmas and apply the Texas Private Security Board Code of
Ethics.
3. Design emergency response plans integrating panic alarms, medical response,
and evacuation protocols.
4. Differentiate between types of surveillance and their legal constraints.
5. Formulate supervisory strategies to mitigate liability and ensure regulatory
compliance.
Accreditation Complies with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Private Security Bureau
standards for Qualified Manager licensure and meets rigorous assessment criteria
equivalent to top R1 US university graduate-level courses.
Page 1
,1. A security manager is reviewing a policy on the use of force by unarmed
officers. Under Texas law, an unarmed private security officer may use force to
protect a third party only if:
A. The officer reasonably believes the third party is facing imminent death or serious
bodily injury, and the officer has a special relationship with that party.
B. The officer is acting within the scope of employment and the use of force is
proportional to the perceived threat, regardless of the threatened party's relationship.
C. The officer has explicit written authorization from the property owner and the
threat involves a felony in progress.
D. The officer is licensed as a personal protection officer and the third party is a client
under a current contract.
Answer: A. The officer reasonably believes the third party is facing imminent
death or serious bodily injury, and the officer has a special relationship with
that party.
Under Texas Penal Code §9.33, a person may use force to protect a third party if
they reasonably believe the third party is facing imminent death or serious bodily
injury and, critically, the person has a special relationship (e.g., family,
employment) or legal duty to protect that party. Option B is incorrect because
'scope of employment' does not override the special relationship requirement.
Option C fails because written authorization does not substitute for legal
justification. Option D is too narrow-the statute applies beyond personal
protection contracts.
Page 2
,2. During an internal audit, a Qualified Manager discovers that a security
officer completed the required 30-hour pre-assignment training only 20 hours,
yet the training certificate was signed off. According to Texas Administrative
Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 35, which of the following best describes the
manager's legal and ethical obligations?
A. Report the violation to DPS within 30 days and terminate the officer's employment
immediately.
B. Initiate a corrective action plan requiring the officer to complete the missing hours
within 90 days, while retaining the officer on duty.
C. Self-report the violation to DPS and suspend the officer's duties until the full
training is completed; failure to report could result in license revocation.
D. No action needed because the officer passed the proficiency exam, demonstrating
competency.
Answer: C. Self-report the violation to DPS and suspend the officer's duties
until the full training is completed; failure to report could result in license
revocation.
Texas DPS regulations (37 TAC §35.30) mandate complete pre-assignment
training before duty; any falsification must be self-reported. The manager must
suspend the officer to prevent unlawful practice, and failure to report can lead to
revocation of the manager's own license. Option A is too harsh-immediate
termination is not mandated. Option B is incorrect because the officer cannot
work deficiently. Option D ignores the legal requirement for documented hours
regardless of exam performance.
Page 3
, 3. A qualified manager is called to mediate a dispute between two armed
security officers who disagree on whether to intervene in a non-violent
shoplifting incident. One officer invokes the 'guardian mindset,' while the other
insists on aggressive enforcement. Which ethical framework best resolves the
conflict while aligning with Texas Private Security Board principles?
A. Deontological ethics: apply the rules strictly-shoplifting is illegal, so intervene with
force if necessary.
B. Utilitarian ethics: weigh the potential harm of intervention against the benefit of
apprehension; if intervention risks escalation, do not intervene.
C. Virtue ethics: prioritize the character traits of prudence and restraint, choosing the
action that reflects professional honor.
D. Ethical relativism: defer to the property owner's policy regardless of personal
beliefs.
Answer: C. Virtue ethics: prioritize the character traits of prudence and
restraint, choosing the action that reflects professional honor.
The Texas Private Security Board Code of Ethics emphasizes professionalism,
integrity, and the exercise of good judgment. Virtue ethics focuses on the
character of the decision-maker; prudence and restraint align with the board's
emphasis on avoiding unnecessary force and respecting rights. Deontology (A) is
too rigid-rules alone don't guide proportion. Utilitarianism (B) is outcomes-based
but may undervalue legal duties. Relativism (D) avoids personal moral
responsibility, contrary to ethical leadership.
Page 4
